Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Ireland Kilkenny Old Red Iron Bridge

Old Red Iron Bridge

Once the longest bridge in Ireland, this rusting span sits abandoned and overrun by nature.

Kilkenny, Ireland

Added By
UrbexJunkie
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
A low level view of the Track bed looking back at the South Entrance to the Bridge.   UrbexJunkie / Atlas Obscura User
The middle of the bridge.   UrbexJunkie / Atlas Obscura User
One of the pillars.   UrbexJunkie / Atlas Obscura User
Old Red Iron Bridge.   UrbexJunkie / Atlas Obscura User
Old Red Iron Bridge.   UrbexJunkie / Atlas Obscura User
Old Red Iron Bridge.   UrbexJunkie / Atlas Obscura User
Old Red Iron Bridge.   UrbexJunkie / Atlas Obscura User
Old Red Iron Bridge.   UrbexJunkie / Atlas Obscura User
Old Red Iron Bridge.   UrbexJunkie / Atlas Obscura User
Old Red Iron Bridge.   Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Long ago, this former record holder had nine spans with a lifting center that would open for freighters, a former connector between the north and south sides of Waterford City, Ireland. 

Now, the iron expanse yawns across the River Suir, unused. Usurped by the River Suir Bridge, Old Red Iron is no longer the record holder for longest bridge on the Emerald Isle. Rust scars the metal surface, and plant life and grasses poke up and through the trackbed. It has sat forgotten like this since 1995, obsolete, but beautiful.

Built by William Arroll & Co. of Glasgow in 1906, Old Red, once shining and silver, was once the fastest mail route between Cobh's transatlantic port and London, but that ship sailed in 1967 when a more efficient route was constructed. The line was reopened in 1970 to service a mineral processing plant, which now lies empty and just as discarded as the bridge itself. It ran as the Waterford to Dungarvan line until 1987, but after being closed to the public, the bridge and its track were abandoned for good in 1995, being partially dismantled and then left to rust by 2003. A ghost of its former self, it still has its now-empty control cabin, and smaller cabins at track level where powerful engines once raised and lowered the lift.

The bridge is called the Old Red Iron Bridge by the locals, in reference to its new, rusted out appearance, the once glistening silver paint peeled back to expose the defunct span to the moist elements. A quiet, peaceful ghost from the past to explore as life in Waterford City bustles on without you.

Related Tags

Bridges Abandoned

Know Before You Go

Head towards Bilberry from the town along the river and you can not miss it

Community Contributors

Added By

UrbexJunkie

Edited By

Rachel, Collector of Experiences

  • Rachel
  • Collector of Experiences

Published

November 4, 2015

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.wsvrailway.ie/
  • http://urbexjunkie.com/2015/10/06/red-iron-bridge/
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipLnppLy2nY
  • http://www.worldabandoned.com/2014/04/old-red-iron-bridge-in-waterford.html
Old Red Iron Bridge
Kilkenny
Ireland
52.274634, -7.142893

Nearby Places

Kilmogue Portal Tomb

Kilkenny, Ireland

miles away

Tankardstown Engine House

Waterford, Ireland

miles away

Hook Lighthouse

Churchtown, Ireland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kilkenny

Kilkenny

Ireland

Places 8

Nearby Places

Kilmogue Portal Tomb

Kilkenny, Ireland

miles away

Tankardstown Engine House

Waterford, Ireland

miles away

Hook Lighthouse

Churchtown, Ireland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kilkenny

Kilkenny

Ireland

Places 8

Related Places

  • Ozark, Alabama

    Veteran's Memorial Bridge

    Now abandoned, the first reinforced concrete bridge in Alabama still stands over the Pea River.

  • Old Borden Bridge

    Borden, Saskatchewan

    Old Borden Bridge

    This now abandoned arch bridge was constructed during the Great Depression.

  • Live Oak, Florida

    Suwanee Springs Bridge (The Bridge to Nowhere)

    This abandoned bridge is now a favorite haunt for graffiti artists.

  • If you expand this picture of the round bridge pier, you can see the large turning gear under the bridge structure.

    Marietta, Ohio

    B&O Harmar Bridge

    This historic Ohio bridge is adorned with fanciful locks left behind by loving couples.

  • Lune Viaduct at Waterside.

    Firbank, England

    Waterside Viaduct

    The abandoned railway bridge stands hidden in the farmland of rural Cumbria.

  • View of the exposed bridge looking north, 2008.

    Tallassee, Tennessee

    Abrams Creek Underwater Bridge

    Abandoned for 60 years, this submerged bridge was completely forgotten until the lake was drained.

  • Llucmajor, Spain

    Puente de las Siete Bocas

    This spectacular bridge is part of an abandoned train line that once connected Mallorcan capital to the southeastern coast.

  • The Foreshore Freeway Bridge.

    Cape Town, South Africa

    Foreshore Freeway Bridge

    Despite many attempts to finish this overpass, it has been abandoned since the 1970s.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.