First section of cross-border bridge arrives by barge
The bridge will link County Down in Northern Ireland with County Louth in the Republic of Ireland.
**First section of cross-border bridge arrives by barge**
The first major section of a bridge connecting Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has been delivered by barge.
The bridge, which will connect County Down in Northern Ireland with County Louth in the Republic of Ireland, is being financed by the Irish Government's shared island fund and is scheduled to open in early 2028.
While groundwork has been under way at the Narrow Water site in Warrenpoint for two years, a significant milestone was reached on Tuesday with the arrival of one of two large metal towers that will shape the look of the finished bridge.
Another arrival is expected in the coming days.
Once in Warrenpoint, the sections will be moved a short distance to Narrow Water, where they will be put in place with the help of a huge purpose built crane.
The bridge is being delivered by Louth County Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage as part of the Shared Island Initiative.
A large crowd gathered along Warrenpoint seafront this morning to welcome the arrival.
Among those present were children from St Dallan's Primary School, who have been working on a project about the bridge at school.
Primary six pupil Finn said: "It'll make it easier to visit my cousins who live over there. At the minute we have to go around the Quays (in Newry) the long way."
Anne Marie said: "It's great to see this actually happen. We've heard about it for years and there was nothing. Now it's hard to explain - it's exciting."
Fiona said: "It's quite emotional and it's a wee bit of history and it must feel so nice for those people who spent so long trying to bring this to life."
Jim Boylan from the Narrow Water Bridge Community Network, one of the people who has worked to bring the bridge to life, said: "It's just amazing. It's years of dedicated campaigning and now people are seeing and they are believing."
Colleen Tinnelly from Warrenpoint, Burren and Rostrevor Chamber of Commerce said the ongoing development should encourage investment in the Carlingford Lough area.
"This morning was incredible," she said.
"For businesses this opens up huge opportunities. We have already seen some investments in hospitality businesses but we believe this will really drive that forward."
Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD said this is a "major milestone" and the bridge "will do far more than connect two shores".
"It will bring communities closer together, strengthen links between the Mourne Mountains and the Cooley Peninsula, and help unlock new opportunities for recreation, sustainable tourism and economic development across the region."
Cathaoirleach (chairperson) of Louth County, councillor Dolores Minogue, said: "Seeing Deck 2 and the pylon arrive in Warrenpoint is a proud moment for everyone who has supported the Narrow Water Bridge project over many years.
"The arrival of the Karel Victor in the coming week will bring the remaining section of the fixed span to the area and mark another important step forward."