Overview
The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge, often called the Pink Rock Bridge or New Ross Bypass Bridge, dominates the River Barrow at New Ross. At 887 m it holds the title of Ireland’s longest bridge and features two 230 m post‑tensioned concrete extradosed spans – the longest of their type worldwide. The structure carries a dual‑carriageway with a 21.9 m deck width, rising 36 m above the water to allow navigation to the Port of New Ross. Its three towers give the bridge a distinctive silhouette: side towers 16.2 m high with eight stay‑cables each, and a central tower 27 m high supporting eighteen cables.
History & Background
The bridge is named after Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, mother of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, whose ancestors hailed from nearby Dunganstown. Officially opened by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on 29 January 2020 (traffic opened 30 January 2020), the bridge was built as the keystone of the €230 million N25 New Ross Bypass, a public‑private partnership (PPP) project.
Design work was led by Arup in partnership with bridge specialist Carlos Fernandez Caso S.L. (CFC). The three‑tower extradosed system was chosen to blend with the surrounding landscape while delivering record‑breaking span lengths. Construction began in early 2016 and reached substantial completion by late 2019, employing a balanced‑cantilever method for the main spans and a scaffold‑and‑wing‑traveller system for the side spans.
In 2021 the bridge received the Outstanding Structure Award from the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering, and it has also been honoured with awards from the IStructE, fib, the Irish Concrete Society and the Irish Concrete Society’s 2022 Award of Merit.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Main span length | 230 m (each) |
| Total bridge length | 887 m |
| Deck width | 21.9 m |
| Tower heights | 16.2 m (side), 27 m (central) |
| Concrete used | 70,000 t (≈3,500 lorry loads) |
| Reinforcing steel | 7,000 t (≈weight of Eiffel Tower) |
| Cable length | 500 km |
| Clearance above water | 36 m |
The central pier rests on 42 bored reinforced‑concrete piles, each 1.2 m in diameter and 32 m long, anchored within the tidal range. The bridge’s shallow‑angle harp cable arrangement (9‑11°) and slender 3.5 m deep box‑girder deck were achieved using high‑strength C80/95 concrete and a high GGBS content to minimise carbon footprint.
Engineering Excellence
The bridge’s design pushes the limits of concrete and cable technology. The two 230 m post‑tensioned spans are the longest of their type worldwide. Cables, each comprising up to 125 strands, underwent two‑million‑cycle fatigue testing in Chicago – one of only two labs capable of such testing.
The project team received multiple accolades:
- 2022 fib Award for Outstanding Structures (Civil Engineering category)
- 2021 IABSE Outstanding Structure Award
- 2021 IStructE Structural Award – Vehicle Bridges
- 2020 ACEI Project of the Year Award
- 2022 Irish Concrete Society Award of Merit (Second Place)
These recognitions underline the bridge’s status as a benchmark for modern infrastructure.
Environmental and Heritage Context
The River Barrow is a candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC) because of its rare habitats and species, and the Barrow Estuary is a proposed Natural Heritage Area. Arup’s environmental team carried out 2‑D hydrodynamic modelling and detailed scour assessments to ensure the temporary island and permanent pier would not adversely affect the river’s ecology. The bridge’s extradosed form, with relatively low tower heights, was deliberately chosen to minimise visual impact on the landscape while providing the 36 m navigation clearance required for the Port of New Ross.
What to See & Do
Travelers crossing the bridge are treated to sweeping views of the Barrow’s floodplain on the east bank and the dramatic “pink rock” slope on the west. The bridge forms a key segment of the New Ross‑to‑Waterford Greenway, allowing cyclists and walkers to pause on the deck and photograph the engineering marvel against the river backdrop. The nearby town of New Ross, now largely traffic‑free, offers historic streets, the Kennedy Homestead, and easy access to attractions such as the John F. Kennedy Arboretum, Dunbrody Famine Ship, and the Hook Lighthouse.
For those interested in the technical side, a downloadable PDF map of the Greenway is available on the South‑East Greenway site, and a live structural‑health‑monitoring system records cable forces and deck movements – a rare glimpse into modern bridge stewardship.
Getting There
By car – The bridge sits on the N25 New Ross Bypass. From Wexford town follow the N25 eastwards; signage for “New Ross Bypass” leads directly onto the bridge. GPS coordinates are 52.356485, ‑6.993999.
Public transport – Bus Éireann services (e.g., route 370) connect Wexford and Waterford with New Ross. Check the latest timetables for stops closest to the bridge entry points.
Parking – Free car parks are provided at the New Ross Greenway access point and at the Waterford‑side entry to the Greenway.
Cycling & walking – A dedicated, gently‑graded (≈5 %) pedestrian and cycle path runs the length of the bridge, linking the New Ross and Waterford sections of the Greenway. The route is suitable for families and casual cyclists.
Nearby Attractions
- Dunbrody Famine Ship – A replica famine‑era vessel located a short drive north of New Ross, offering interactive exhibits on emigration.
- Hook Lighthouse – Ireland’s oldest operational lighthouse, reachable via a scenic coastal road from New Ross.
- John F. Kennedy Arboretum – A 40‑hectare woodland garden celebrating the Kennedy family’s Irish roots.
- Barrow River Cruise – Seasonal boat trips that showcase the river’s wildlife and historic towns.
Practical Information
The bridge is part of the publicly‑accessible N25 bypass; there is no admission fee and it is open 24 hours a day for vehicular traffic, cyclists and pedestrians. Parking is available at the New Ross and Waterford access points of the Greenway. The bridge can be located via Google Maps using the coordinates 52.356485, ‑6.993999.
Key details
- Opening date: 29 January 2020 (traffic 30 January 2020)
- Operator: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII)
- Emergency contact: 1800 98 90 90
- Website: Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge – N25 New Ross
- Directions: Google Maps
- Map download: South‑East Greenway PDF
The bridge’s design prioritises durability: stainless‑steel reinforcement in the central pier, high‑strength concrete, and a comprehensive monitoring system ensure low long‑term maintenance. Visitors can appreciate the bridge’s engineering elegance while enjoying the seamless connection it provides between County Wexford and County Kilkenny.
The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge is a testament to 21st‑century Irish engineering, offering both a functional transport link and a striking visual landmark for all who cross it.