A rural Laois bridge that has links to an historic time in the county’s history is in bad need of remedial repair work, a meeting in Laois County Council heard this week.
Tarbert Bridge in Trumera was brought up by Cllr James Kelly at the recent Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District meeting.
The bridge, which us just off the road between Abbeyleix and Mountrath heading for Raheen, is “in danger of collapsing completely” according to Cllr Kelly, who called on the council to carry out repair works in one of his motions.
Rory O’Callaghan from the council’s area office responded that “maintenance and engineering inspections will be carried out on this bridge to determine what repair works are needed”.
“If structural repair works are identified this bridge will be submitted to the Department for funding in 2027.”
The council also added that vegetation clearance on this bridge will be considered for inclusion in this year’s work programme”.
Cllr Kelly was not happy that the work may not take place until 2027. “Have a look at the state of the bridge,” he said.
“This is an historic bridge. Without wanting to give a history class, it is named after Tarbert in Kerry in recognition of the seven septs of Laois who were transplanted to areas in North Kerry like Tarbert.
“A man called Michael Keane wrote a book on it From Laois to Kerry and when the bridge is repaired I would like to put up a plaque there to recognise that history.”
In his other motions, Cllr Kelly called for Laois County Council to prioritise road surfacing “on the Stoney Road to Camross GAA club”. “It really is the stony road,” he said. “It’s in a bad state of repair.
“I would hope that this would be one of the first roads done. I hope the laybys are restored also.”
Rory O’Callaghan responded on behalf of Laois County Council on that one saying that that section of the road is included in the 2026 Road Restoration Improvement Programme.
Cllr Kelly’s other motion looked for a stop sign and new road markings at Carroll’s residence at Windsor, Coolrain. He was told that the stop sign will be installed but that the road markings will be considered subject to available budgets and resources.
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