Built in 1818, the Salmon Weir Bridge is the oldest surviving structure over the Corrib River. Its original purpose was to link the county courthouse on the mainland to the County Gaol (jail) on Nun’s Island, as well as to connect with the main road to Connemara.
Between April and July, folks on the bridge can watch salmon fight their way upstream to their traditional spawning grounds in Lough Corrib. This is one of the prime salmon fisheries in Ireland, and one of the largest (thus, the name of the bridge). During this period, anglers can be seen standing in the waters, hoping to catch their share of salmon ( after purchasing a permit, of course).
The weir itself is a low dam (constructed from stone and wood in the beginning) in order to regulate water levels (up to four million gallons per second at full flood, and one hundred thousand gallons per second at low flood). However, only two of the original sixteen gates remain. Between 1952 and 1959, the river was drained in order to re-construct the present weir.
Every day, we crossed this bridge on our way to the city center and we would spot upwards to half-a-dozen fishermen trying their luck with the salmon. We never saw anyone catch a fish (the salmon seemed to be on to the trap).
Between April and July, folks on the bridge can watch salmon fight their way upstream to their traditional spawning grounds in Lough Corrib. This is one of the prime salmon fisheries in Ireland, and one of the largest (thus, the name of the bridge). During this period, anglers can be seen standing in the waters, hoping to catch their share of salmon ( after purchasing a permit, of course).
The weir itself is a low dam (constructed from stone and wood in the beginning) in order to regulate water levels (up to four million gallons per second at full flood, and one hundred thousand gallons per second at low flood). However, only two of the original sixteen gates remain. Between 1952 and 1959, the river was drained in order to re-construct the present weir.
Every day, we crossed this bridge on our way to the city center and we would spot upwards to half-a-dozen fishermen trying their luck with the salmon. We never saw anyone catch a fish (the salmon seemed to be on to the trap).
The Salmon Weir Bridge was built 101 years ago, to connect the county courthouse with the site of the county jail (now the Galway Cathedral) on Nun’s Island.
From the bridge, you can see the weir (dam) in the distance. While it was originally built in 1818, it was re-constructed between 1952 and 1959.
Everyday, during our stay, we watched as fishermen cast their lures in an effort to catch some salmon.
Unfortunately, we never saw anyone catch anything. Surely, they must have been successful, or they would not have been out there everyday.
One of the few brief moments that we were able to catch the bridge without any traffic on it.
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