Lapps Quay is a classic example of a disused and crumbling site which was completely renovated in the 1990’s and is now the showpiece of the Cork Docks area. It exudes new money & confidence and has a Continental feel, with its glass fronted 4 star Hotels, outdoor coffee kiosks and boardwalks. Juxtaposed are some fine old British built Bank buildings offering a nice contrast. A good place to get access to the River for City tours by water – a pontoon is on site & RIB’s are available for hire.
The Clontarf bridge connects Albert Quay to the Island at Lapps Quay and forms part of the main road which takes traffic from the South to the North side and out East to the main Dublin road. A typically industrial looking structure it functioned as a lifting railway bridge until 1976, when the lifting gear was removed and it became fixed. Clontarf Bridge has decorative iron parapet railings stamped with McBRIDE CORK and there are defunct iron lamp standards attached to these.
Clontarf or Cluain Tarbh means pasture of the bulls, incidentally.