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Excitement as first section of cross-border bridge arrives by barge

Cormac CampbellSouth-east reporter, BBC News NI
BBC A woman with long brown hair wearing a black coat stands next to a lady with short blonde hair and a blue coat.BBC
Fiona Cole and Anne Marie Fearon were on the seafront on Tuesday

The first main section of a bridge linking Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has arrived by barge.

The bridge, which will link County Down in Northern Ireland with County Louth in the Republic of Ireland, is being funded by the Irish Government's shared island fund and is due to open in early 2028.

Although ground works have been ongoing at the Narrow Water site in Warrenpoint for two years, a major progress point happened on Tuesday with the arrival of one of two huge metal towers that will define the opening bridge's appearance.

A further arrival is expected in the coming days.

A blue and white boat pulling a barge across the sea with elements for a bridge on it.
The first main section of the bridge arrived on Tuesday

Once in Warrenpoint the sections will move a short distance to Narrow Water where they will be erected with the help of a huge purpose built crane.

The bridge is is being delivered by Louth County Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage as part of the Shared Island Initiative.

Along Warrenpoint seafront this morning a large crowd gathered to greet the arrival.

Among them were children from St Dallan's Primary School who have been doing a project on the bridge in school.

Primary six pupil Finn said: "It'll make it easier to visit my cousins who live over there. At the minute we have to go around the Quays (in Newry) the long way."

Finn, who has short dark hair, and Sarah, who has long brown hair tied back, stand side by side as they were coats and hi-vis jackets.
Finn and Sarah from St Dallan's Primary School have been doing a project on the bridge in school

Also on the seafront were Fiona Cole and Anne Marie Fearon

According to Anne Marie: "It's great to see this actually happen. We've heard about it for years and there was nothing. Now it's hard to explain - it's exciting."

Fiona agrees, she said: "It's quite emotional and it's a wee bit of history and it must feel so nice for those people who spent so long trying to bring this to life."

A man with a grey beard and facial hair wearing a blue cap and sweater standing on the seafront.
Jim Boylan was among those whose efforts made this project happen

One of those people who has tried to bring this bridge alive was Jim Boylan from the Narrow Water Bridge Community Network.

"It's just amazing. It's years of dedicated campaigning and now people are seeing and they are believing," he said.

Colleen Tinnelly from Warrenpoint, Burren and Rostrevor Chamber of Commerce, said the continued development should drive through investments in the Carlingford Lough area.

"This morning was incredible," she said.

"For businesses this opens up huge opportunities. We have already seen some investments in hospitality businesses but we believe this will really drive that forward."

'Major milestone'

Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD said this is a "major milestone" and the bridge "will do far more than connect two shores".

"It will bring communities closer together, strengthen links between the Mourne Mountains and the Cooley Peninsula, and help unlock new opportunities for recreation, sustainable tourism and economic development across the region."

Cathaoirleach (chairperson) of Louth County, councillor Dolores Minogue, said: "Seeing Deck 2 and the pylon arrive in Warrenpoint is a proud moment for everyone who has supported the Narrow Water Bridge project over many years.

"The arrival of the Karel Victor in the coming week will bring the remaining section of the fixed span to the area and mark another important step forward."