Bingley Bingley is a market town and civil parish in the metropolitan borough of the City of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. It is sited on the River Aire and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. The town had a population of 18,040 at the United Kingdom ...

's Ireland Bridge is a Grade II* listed structure and a historically significant crossing point over the

River Aire The River Aire is a major river in Yorkshire, England, in length. Part of the river below Leeds is canalised, and is known as the Aire and Calder Navigation. The ''Handbook for Leeds and Airedale'' (1890) notes that the distance from Malha ...

West Yorkshire West Yorkshire is a Metropolitan counties of England, metropolitan and Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It borders North Yorkshire to the north and east, South Yorkshire and De ...

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

. It now provides the main route between Bingley and the nearby villages of Harden, Wilsden and Cullingworth (the B6429).

History

A bridge has existed at this point over the river since mediaeval times. The current bridge dates from 1686 and replaced an earlier timber structure. During renovations in 2010, engineers found unique stonemason marks carved into sections of the bridge that were previously inaccessible until the scaffolding went up around it. The bridge was widened and a parapet added in 1775. Previous to the bridge being built, visitors to the town would ford the river at a crossing just south of the bridge that would lead them to the bottom of what is now Ferrand Lane. When the water is low enough, the stones of this crossing are said to be visible. The All Saints Parish Church and the Old White Horse Inn, a

Coaching inn The coaching inn (also coaching house or staging inn) was a vital part of Europe's inland transport infrastructure until the development of the railway, providing a resting point ( layover) for people and horses. The inn served the needs of t ...

were constructed very close to the eastern bank and Bingley's modern town centre spread south from these beginnings. A mill extended on the east bank for which a weir was built across the Aire. The water was then funnelled under the mill to power the works which started out as a Corn Mill, a forge and for much of the 20th century was a fat refinery. The mill was demolished in 1984 and the site has now been replaced by housing. In the 18th century, the middle of the bridge was an area where locals would congregate and 'gossip'. This would also entail talking to travellers who were using the bridge to get from Halifax and beyond to Otley and Ilkley. The bridge was originally named Bingley Bridge, but an influx of Irish immigrants caused a name change. They came to work in the Bingley mills and they also visited the Brown Cow Inn, which meant going across the bridge. The Brown Cow acquired the nickname of 'The Irish Inn'; this also led to the bridge being similarly named. Harry Speight in his book ''The Chronicles of Old Bingley'' suggests the name came about due to the crossing of the Aire being like going over the water to Ireland.

Strengthening works

Despite previous strengthening works, the bridge was deemed unfit for two-way traffic, and traffic lights were installed for a time at either end. These allowed only a single lane across for some time – disrupting local traffic at peak times. In January 2010,

Bradford Council City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council is the Local government in England, local authority of the City of Bradford in West Yorkshire, England. Bradford has had an elected council since 1847, which has been reformed on several occasions. ...

closed the bridge completely, and commenced works to strengthen the bridge. These works resulted in the closure of Harden Road to vehicles over the bridge. The works were originally due to take place in June 2009, but were postponed owing to the presence of rare Daubenton's bats roosting in the spans of the bridge. After a £1.6 million project, Ireland Bridge reopened to two-way traffic in June 2010.

References

External links

IrelandBridge.co.uk – City of Bradford Ireland Bridge website
{{Road bridges in Yorkshire Bridges in West Yorkshire Buildings and structures in Bingley Bridges completed in the 17th century Buildings and structures completed in 1686 Transport infrastructure completed in the 1680s Grade II* listed bridges in England Grade II* listed buildings in West Yorkshire 1686 establishments in England Bridges across the River Aire

History

Strengthening works

See also

References

External links