This route takes you on a tour around the beautiful 'real capital' of Ireland, Cork, via some of its iconic bridges (and some newer, less iconic ones!). You will completely circumnavigate the central part of the city, crossing back and forth across the two channels of the River Lee, and pass by some of the major landmarks including the National Monument, St Fin Barre's Cathedral, University College Cork, the Father Matthew Statue and the Shakey Bridge. Photos highly recommended!
The route is a loop, and can be run from any point and in either direction. 25 bridges must be crossed once and only once; the exception is wherever you start - because of the odd number of bridges you may cross again at the end to complete your loop. This list works clockwise from the Mardyke Bridge, adjacent to the Cricket Club, which will be a convenient start point for many. You can run any route you want as long as you cross the bridges - maybe you can find a more efficient route!
- Markdyke Bridge
- St Vincent's Bridge
- Griffith Bridge
- Shandon Bridge
- Christy Ring Bridge
- St Patrick's Bridge
- Mary Elmes Bridge
- Brian Boru Bridge
- Michael Collins Bridge
- Eamon de Valera Bridge
- Colontarf Bridge
- Parnell Bridge
- Trinity Bridge
- Parliament Bridge
- Nano Nagle Bridge
- South Gate Bridge
- Clarke's Bridge
- St Finn Barre's Bridge
- Donavan's Bridge
- Gaol Bridge
- Unnamed pedestrian bridge in the UCC Health Sciences Campus
- O'Neill Crowley Bridge (George IV Bridge)
- Unnamed pedestrian bridge from Carrigrohane Road to Western Road
- Thomas Davy Bridge
- Daly's Bridge (Shakey Bridge)
Finally return to your starting point.
Six bridges are not required as part of the route; these are all on the southern branch of the river:
- Two adjacent bridges which are not through routes, providing only access to Lancaster Lodge and The River Lee Hotel.
- Two adjacent bridges in the main UCC Campus which may on occasion be closed
- Two adjacent bridges providing access to the UCC Castlewhite Apartments and Bon Secours hospital, which are on private property
The route is just over 10km and entirely paved. It is almost completely flat except for a couple of short, sharp hills. Care must be taken in relation to traffic in the centre of the city.
