Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge

Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge is a road crossing over the Barrow River connecting County Kilkenny with County Wexford, built from concrete and steel. The structure extends 887 meters with a roadway supported by cables anchored to three towers.

Construction began in 2016 and required 2.5 million hours of labor from more than 1,000 workers. The opening took place in January 2020 as a new connection between both counties.

This river crossing honors Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, mother of former US President John F. Kennedy, whose family roots trace back to nearby Dunganstown. The name connects Irish heritage with American political history through the Kennedy family ties to the region.

The N25 runs with four traffic lanes across the structure, linking the route from Cork to Rosslare Europort with the turnoff to N30 toward New Ross. Pedestrians and cyclists can cross the river on a separate path along the western side.

Around 500 kilometers of cable hold the roadway in place, while the center spans measuring 230 meters each rank as the longest of their type worldwide. The three towers distribute weight evenly and allow a slender form without full suspension bridge construction.

Location: County Kilkenny

Location: County Wexford

Official opening: January 29, 2020

Length: 887 m

Longest Span: 230 m

Made from material: concrete, steel

GPS coordinates: 52.35667,-6.99222

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:31