What Future Footbridge at Monkstown ?

Writes Leo McMahon

Something needs to happen but be sure to consult with residents. That was the advice from Cllr Una McCarthy (FG) at the monthly meeting of Carrigaline Municipal District (MD) when enquiring about the possible reinstatement of the footbridge leading to the playground in Charlie Hennessy Park, Glen Road, Monkstown which was destroyed by Storm Babet in October 2023.

She asked for an update from the county council on a previous motion from her, in particular the current status, proposed timeline and any planned works to ensure safe access for children and the local community.

In a written response, executive engineer Andrew O’Brien said: ‘Is there a requirement for this to be reinstalled?  The area office already has requests not to reinstall it’.

Some people who contacted her, said Cllr McCarthy, had asked for the footbridge to be reinstalled.  If the council decided otherwise, it would need to properly closed off, the barriers removed and the area finished off properly.

A barrier and sandbags at the site of the former footbridge over the stream by Charlie Hennessy Park and playground, Glen Road, Monkstown - photo Leo McMahon

Seconding, Cllr Eoghan Fahy (SF) said he got three opinions from people living on the same nearby road.  Some wanted no footbridge, some did and others asked for a footbridge closer to the car park.  One way or other, a decision had to be taken. He personally wished to see it reinstated, adding that nothing had happened since its closure over two years ago.

The engineer said the area office could look at different options and try to reach some agreement. This was agreed and urging consultation with local people, Cllr McCarthy said a conclusion should be reached quickly.

MD officer (MDO) Denise Kidney reported that works were ongoing between the cross-river ferry terminal and Monkstown involving a wider greenway path. Phase two from Sand Quay, Monkstown to Murph’s pub on the Raffeen Road were due to begin in the last quarter of 2026.

ISL boards

Cllr Patrick Donovan (FF) had a motion requesting the installation of Irish Sign Language boards at all playgrounds in the MD.

In response, the engineer said a price per board was required to ensure playground budgets were adequate to provide this.

Cllr Donovan said he had been contacted by constituents about this and hoped one could be installed in the Carrigaline playground when it was being refurbished. 

Seconding, an cathaoirleach Cllr Ben Dalton-O’Sullivan (Ind) said Carrigaline was the first playground in the county to get autism communications boards.

The MDO said she was due to meet with the officer for the council’s Social Inclusion Strategic Policy Committee and would make enquiries. She understood that 201 communication boards had been rolled out in the past three years.

The MDO reported that it was hoped to go to tender soon on the project to refurbish the playground at Carrigaline Community Park spearheaded by local residents.  Works were continuing on the Bothar Guidel Active Travel Bridge which would be an essential link between residential areas north of the Owenabue River and schools in Kilnagleary. Completion was expected in the second quarter of 2026.