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Irland-Foto der Woche


Ireland Photo of the Week: Every week, our friend Kevin Balanda is sharing a special photo from Ireland and telling its story here on Irlandnews. Kevin worked in Dublin for many years and now lives in West Cork. He enjoys taking his camera with him wherever he goes. This week we visit the Gaeltacht village of Ballingeary in County Cork:

A simple curved clapper bridge passing by Ballingeary in West Cork

This bridge, the Ballingeary Stepping Stones, crosses the River Lee as it runs eastward across County Cork before passing through Cork City to meet the Celtic Sea. The bridge, said to be the longest “clapper” (stepping stones)  bridge in Ireland, may date to the 17th century and is still used by locals and visitors.

The bridge consists of eighteen large flat limestone slabs resting on rubble piers. A relatively unique feature is the bridge’s curve which follows the river’s path to cross it at its shallowest point, greatly reducing the number of stones needed and simplifying its construction. Rather than forcing a straight line against the river, the curved structure offers less resistance to the river’s water flow and means the bridge is less likely to be washed away during any of the  many periods of high water and flooding.

This simple bridge is part of the Slí Gaeltacht Mhúscrai, a grand walking track which journeys through the heart of the Irish-speaking Gaeltacht region and some of the most scenic landscape in Co Cork.  And amongst this walking track’s splendours, this photograph of a simple bridge that crosses the River Lee at its narrowest and shallowest point as it passes through the small village of Ballingeary.  But even then, Ireland’s history is not far: The bridge is near the Famine Pot of 1845-1848 monument set up to remind us all of the terrible times of the Irish famine, the suffering endured and the heroism of those who worked to try to feed their starving neighbours.

 

 

Photographic specifications: This photo was taken with a lens set at a 50 mm focal length. Exposure settings were ISO 32 , f/1.8 , 1/310 s. It was edited in Lightroom.

© Kevin Balanda

 

This story / page is available in: German