Salmon Weir Bridge

Bridge in Galway

Constructed in 1818, the Salmon Weir Bridge stands as the oldest surviving bridge spanning the Corrib River. Originally built to link the old jail, where Galway Cathedral now stands, with the courthouse and the road to Connemara, this bridge has played a vital role in the city’s infrastructure. Notably, it serves as an excellent vantage point for observing the salmon runs, which occur during May and September.

Finding the bridge is straightforward: it lies directly in front of Galway Cathedral, a prominent landmark. Adjacent to the Salmon Weir Bridge is a newer pedestrian and cycle bridge, enhancing the connectivity over the river.

From the bridge, visitors can watch shoals of salmon energetically leaping upriver to spawn. The view from here is picturesque, offering sweeping vistas of the Cathedral and downstream to the Wolfe Tone Bridge. Originally, the bridge and the nearby fisheries were under the stewardship of the Earl of Ulster, granted by King Henry III. Control of the fisheries shifted to the Franciscans until Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries transferred ownership to the Lynches.

The spectacle of water thundering through the weir, particularly when the river is in flood, is truly impressive. With flows reaching up to four million gallons per second, it is the largest weir in the country, making it a stunning feature of Galway’s landscape.

The Salmon Weir Bridge appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Galway!

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!