By Dan Walsh at Courtown
An iconic timber pedestrian bridge crossing the Owenavorragh river and a feature of the Courtown Woods and part of the Wexford Walking Trails programme, known locally as Spike Bridge, was closed by Coillte last week.
A notice on the bridge reads; “Please note that Spike Bridge is closed due to safety concerns. The bridge will reopen once repairs have been made. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
Due to the cultural and local significance of this bridge, Courtown Heritage Group are anxious that it be restored and returned to use as soon as possible.
The official trail map shows that if the bridge closes, the bridge walk will no longer be connected to the Wexford Walking Trail network in Courtown.
Speaking to WexfordLocal.com local foraging and forest guide, Lorraine O’Dwyer, from Gallivanting Tours (gallivanting.ie) who runs foraging and folklore walks in Courtown Woods tells us “that Spike Bridge is a pivotal part of the walk as it allows me to talk about the Courtown Estate, the landlords and how the local community lived and worked with them.”
Currently the bridge allows for access to woodland managed by Coillte on the north side of the Owenavorragh river, linking the 1.4km Bridge Walk which is especially popular for active travel and river anglers.
This timber bridge was once an Iron spiked bridge which workers on Lord Courtown’s estate used. It was locked by night after the last workers went home and opened again in the morning, to allow workers access to their workplace.
Lorraine is local Failte Ireland ambassador for Ireland’s Ancient East, and serves on the board of Wexford Walking Trails says that in her view while the bridge does need some repair, it’s far from being so dangerous that it must be closed immediately.
In Lorraine’s opinion, the bridge could be made a little more accessible, but it’s not dangerous, it’s not unstable and it certainly should not be closed indefinitely.
The bridge is relevant to the local community, local businesses and tourists. “We want to raise awareness of this closure and seek confirmation of concrete plans for its restoration and reopening, without which, we fear the bridge will suffer the same fate as the boardwalk at Courtown Beach.
“It is important that places of cultural interest and significance are maintained and returned to use as soon as possible.
“Please bring this to the attention of anyone you think can assist us in re-opening Spike Bridge,” concludes a statement issued by Courtown Heritage Group.
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