Galway City Council’s Active Travel Department has won two separate awards, recognising the high quality of the walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure developed in the city. Galway’s iconic new pedestrian and cycle bridge, Droichead an Dóchais, has been named Civil Engineering Project of the Year at the Engineering Excellence Awards 2024. Meanwhile, the Department’s Senior Engineer Colm Ó Ríordáin has won a Gold Medal prize honouring his work as an Active Mobility Leader at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Ireland (CILT) Mobility & Supply Chain Awards 2024.
Droichead an Dóchais was opened in May 2023 and is the first new bridge to span the River Corrib in over 30 years. It is fully accessible and complements the nearby natural and built environment, including the river, Galway Cathedral and the Convent of Mercy. It features age-friendly seating and has created a new public space and meeting point for locals and tourists alike. A glazed oculus, incorporated into both approach spans, represents the eye of a salmon and offers views of the watercourses below.
As well as winning the Civil Engineering Project of the Year, Droichead an Dóchais was also shortlisted for Project of the Year at Engineering Excellence awards. It was one of two active travel projects in Galway nominated at the event – the recently opened Wolfe Tone Pedestrian Bridge II project was shortlisted in the Innovation Category.
Droichead an Dóchais was delivered by Galway City Council’s Active Travel Department, including Senior Engineer Colm Ó Ríordáin. His work on this project was recognised by the judges of the CILT Awards who presented him with a prestigious gold medal prize in the Active Mobility Leader category.
Speaking after he collected both prizes, Colm Ó Ríordáin thanked all of those who contributed to this success. “It is great for Galway to be honoured at these prestigious awards ceremonies. It is a testament to Galway City Council’s commitment to the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and services for residents and visitors to our city. I want to thank all Council staff who helped to deliver these projects, especially colleagues in the Active Travel Department. I also want to thank the funding partners, consultants, contractors, architects and other stakeholders whose contributions to both shortlisted projects were invaluable.
“Galway City Council is continuing to deliver active travel and sustainable transport projects throughout the city, with construction ongoing on the Parkmore Road Bus Priority Scheme and The Crescent/Sea Road junction. We will soon begin works on new cycling and walking infrastructure along Bothar Stiofáin, and at Ballybane Road and Castlepark Road. Galway City Council also welcomes the recent decision of An Bord Pleanála to approve our application for the BusConnects Galway: Cross-City Link project. While there is much work in store, these projects and others – along with our work completed to date – will help to transform Galway into a cleaner, less congested city in which more people enjoy the many benefits of walking, wheeling and cycling.”
In addition to Droichead an Dóchais and the Wolfe Tone Pedestrian Bridge II, Galway City Council’s Active Travel Department have delivered several other projects throughout the city in the past 18 months. These include the Miller’s Lane Upgrade, the Doughiska Road South Cycle Network, the School Street at Scoil Iognáid, Martin Roundabout Junction Upgrade and the Eglinton Canal Active Travel Scheme.
This is not the first awards honour for Droichead an Dóchais. Previously, the iconic bridge received international recognition when it was shortlisted at the New Civil Engineer Bridges Awards in London. Separately, principal contractors Jons Civil Engineering Ltd. were honoured for their work on Droichead an Dóchais at the annual Civil Engineering Contractors Association Awards. At the 2024 Engineering Excellence Awards, organised by the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland, Arup were named winners of the Civil - Small/Medium Project category in recognition of their work as consulting engineers for the planning stage of the project.
Droichead an Dóchais was funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) Active Travel Programme and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), co-funded Border, Midland and Western Regional Operational Programme, administered by the Northern and Western Regional Assembly. The Wolfe Tone Pedestrian Bridge II project was funded by the National Transport Authority.
The Engineering Excellence Awards took place in The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry, Dublin on Wednesday 23 October. They recognise the transformative power of Irish engineering across diverse fields. From groundbreaking construction and design to cutting-edge industrial and manufacturing solutions, these awards honour outstanding achievements and inspire future generations.
The CILT Awards were held in The Royal Marine Hotel, Dublin on Thursday 24 October. These awards celebrate the achievements of individuals and organisations within the transport, logistics and supply chain sector. The awards are judged by professionals and awarded by a professional industry body.
Construction on Droichead an Dóchais began in March 2022 and the bridge was opened to the public in May 2023. Arup worked as Consultants on the planning stage of the project, and AtkinsRéalis were consultants for the Design and Construction phase. Jons Civil Engineering Company Ltd. were appointed principal contractor, and Thompson of Carlow fabricated the bridge. Gabriel O’Brien Crane Hire lifted the bridge into place.
Wolfe Tone Pedestrian Bridge II was constructed between August 2023 and May 2024. Ryan Hanley was appointed as consultants for the project, and Kenny Civils and Plant Ltd. were principal contractors. The bridge was fabricated by Rynn Engineering Ltd.