Mizen Head Arch Bridge and Barleycove Pontoon Bridge
Mizen Head is allegedly the most south-westery point of Ireland* and was once the site of a signal station, weather station and lighthouse located on the tip. In recent years it has become a popular tourist attraction with the construction of paths and steps to all parts of the headland, together with a cafe, shop and exhibition areas. One of the most spectacular features of the site is a chasm which drops most of the way down to sea level and separates the signal station from the shore base. The chasm was spanned by a 50 m long footbridge constructed in 1908-9 - the first reinforced concrete bridge in Ireland. Over the years and in such an exposed location, the elements took their toll until at the beginning of the 21st centuryit was deemed to be unsafe. It was therefore demolished and rebuilt in 2009-11. An account of the reconstruction can be seen here. Visually the new bridge appears to be identical to the old one, but with a deck 700mm wider. This image shows the old bridge, looking a trifle rusty.
* A very suspect claim. If one places a straight edge on the map at 45o to the grid lines, it becomes apparent that Crow Head on the Bearagh peninsula is further to the south-west. Nor is Mizen Head the southernmost point - that honour goes to Brow Head about 3.5 km to the east.
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A short distance north-east of Mizen Head is the inlet of Barley Cove, with its splendid beach backed by sand dunes. There is no car park in the village of Cannawee which lies behind the beach. Instead a large car park has been established on the east side of the Cove. From the car park, a board walk some 500 metres long runs over the dunes leading to a floating pontoon which spans the stream and gives access to the beach at all states of the tide.
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