A contract for the construction of a new bridge to the Mizen Head Lighthouse has been signed and work will start right away with the new bridge ready for next summer's tourist season.

 

Cork County Council has signed contracts with Carillion Irishenco for the construction of new single span footbridge on Ireland's most south westerly point, Mizen Head. The new bridge, costing just under €2 million, will replace the existing arched foot bridge linking the mainland to Mizen Head Lighthouse on Cloghane Island. The old bridge was deemed unsafe in 2005 by the Commissioners for Irish Lights, owners of the famous landmark lighthouse. Temporary works were carried out at the time by Cork County Council costing €100,000 to extend the life of the bridge by a maximum of five years. The provision of a new bridge will save the highly successful community-backed Mizen Head Signal Station Centre from closure. The funding for the new bridge will be provided by Fáilte Ireland, Cork County Council and the Commissioners for Irish Lights. Work is expected to begin on the new structure in September and be completed in time for next summer's tourist season. Mayor of County Cork, Cllr Derry Canty in welcoming the announcement of funding for the restoration of the historic Mizen Head Bridge said, "Tourism is vital to West Cork and the Mizen Head Visitor Centre is one of the key attractions so the reopening of the bridge to the lighthouse will be a tremendous boost to visitor numbers."