Keeping the shake in Cork's Daly's Bridge

The River Lee (Irish: An Laoi) rises in the Shehy Mountains (Cnoic na Síofra) in the west of County Cork (Contae Chorcaí). It flows eastwards where it splits in two for a short distance, creating an island on which Cork's city centre is built. The river then enters into the Celtic Sea at Cork Harbour. Cork was said to have originally been founded as a monastic settlement by Saint Finbarr in the 6th century. He is patron saint of the city and of the Diocese of Cork and his feast day is September 25. Between 915 and 922 the Vikings developed Cork it into a significant trading port. Cork is an old city, one of the oldest of all Irish cities.

One of its most well known landmarks is Daly's Bridge (Droichead Uí Dhálaigh), better known as the Shakey Bridge. It spans one the most picturesque stretches of the River Lee in Cork City. Built in 1926 the project of constructing the foot-bridge was taken on by James Daly, a Cork businessman. It's the only suspension bridge in Cork and the pedestrian walkway is made from timber planks and is four and a half feet wide. The name Shakey Bridge came into use due to feeling it shake and tremble as it was walked across.

However, time has taken its toll on the Shakey Bridge. The need for urgent work due to corrosion and fatigue damage to the suspension cables has been noted for some time. Now Cork's famous bridge has been earmarked for funding to repair and make it safe. But the plan is to keep the shake in Daly's Bridge to ensure that its nickname is retained.