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Tramore/N25 New Ross Bypass Project

Ireland's longest bridge opens on Wexford-Kilkenny border

The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge will cross the River Barrow between Wexford and Kilkenny.

LAST UPDATE | 29 Jan 2020

IRELAND’S LONGEST BRIDGE has been officially opened at a ceremony in Co Wexford today.

The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge crosses the River Barrow between Wexford and Kilkenny and is part of a €230m upgrade to the N25 New Ross bypass.

At 887m, it overtakes the 230m River Suir Bridge in Co Waterford as the longest in the country.

The bridge is located near the townland of Dunganstown, the ancestral homestead of former US President John F Kennedy. It is named after Kennedy’s mother, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, whose ancestors came from the area.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Rose Katherine Kennedy Townsend – grand-niece of the late president – officially opened it this afternoon. 

Townsend, a great-granddaughter of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, said she felt very grateful to be there.

“It’s a wonderful occasion, it’s a wonderful tribute and I feel very lucky to be representing my entire very large, very global family who all wish that they could be here,” she said.

“But I think that they are here in spirit and we’re all very grateful for this gorgeous bridge.”

taoiseach-leo-varadkar-opens-rose-fitzgerald-kennedy-bridge Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Rose Katherine Kennedy Townsend at the opening of Ireland's longest bridge today. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that the structure represents Ireland’s increasing connectivity and was an investment in the region’s future economic security.

It’s about strengthening connectivity between different parts of our country, and strengthening our communities,” he said.

“Thanks to the hard-work and sacrifices of the people in the south east, backed by investment and the right policies we are seeing a remarkable comeback story for this area.”

It is expected to shave up to 30 minutes off peak journey times between Cork and Rosslare.

- Additional reporting from PA

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    Mute Claire
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    Jan 1st 2015, 9:34 AM

    I’m going to lose weight. But not starting til Monday. Diets have to start on Mondays

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    Mute fergalreid
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    Jan 1st 2015, 10:57 AM

    I had shortbread for breakfast.

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    Mute Spiderman_Irish
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    Jan 1st 2015, 11:49 AM

    If you cut out the bread and the cereals you will lose weight. Kellog’s and Nestle is obesity food despite the healthy looking misleading labels.

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    Mute AARO-SAURUS
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    Jan 1st 2015, 12:42 PM

    Cut out sugar. Tis the divil

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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Jan 1st 2015, 2:30 PM

    Kellogg’s Special K, which is marketed towards weight conscious women, actually has more calories than corn flakes. But you’re right, almost all breakfast cereals are junk food.

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    Mute Spiderman_Irish
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    Jan 1st 2015, 5:05 PM

    Dermot yeah exactly and its shameful the way women often consume Special K and then get fatter. See the thing is that many including myself are not told is that the most we are supposed to consume of any grains in a fistful. Anything after that and it will bloat you and sent your body into an insulin rush and you will crave/eat more and more. Its all vested interests and brainwashing!!

    Stoneground brown bread and a small amount of oats is all people should really be consuming in the bread and cereal isles. A lot of people say don’t eat meat, nuts, seeds or dairy but I eat a lot of them and I am the opposite of obese.

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    Mute Paul Keane
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    Jan 1st 2015, 11:44 AM

    I’m going to be more positive. But I don’t think it’ll last.

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    Mute Rebecca
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    Jan 1st 2015, 12:19 PM

    I see what you did there ;)

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    Mute Francie Coffey
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    Jan 1st 2015, 9:50 AM

    Wish me luck on my new Whisky & Aspirin diet.

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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Jan 1st 2015, 10:43 AM

    Good luck Francie …but sure with such a good idea you’ll be grand anyway …
    Do you have a link for that and I might check it out myself – sounds like a great idea.

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    Mute Conor Roche
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    Jan 1st 2015, 10:14 AM

    My new year’s resolution will be the same as last year’s 1280 × 720 px

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    Mute Conor Roche
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    Jan 1st 2015, 11:06 AM

    Wow Looks like more than half of you have given up your sense of humour for the new year.
    Well get on with your miserable lives then, for the rest of you Happy New Year!

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    Mute Pat Duffy
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    Jan 1st 2015, 9:34 AM

    People annoy me when I ask about giving up cigarettes they say I’ll wait till the new year. Why wait?? Just try now

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    Mute Susan Adair Farrelly
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    Jan 1st 2015, 11:20 AM

    Or how about mind your own business?! That might be a start point for you.

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    Mute Sergeant Yates
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    Jan 1st 2015, 9:34 AM

    Yes but i won’t start them until next year.

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    Mute Sian O Sullivan
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    Jan 1st 2015, 10:47 AM

    I’m going to try and start each day with a positive thought :)

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    Mute Charlene Hogan
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    Jan 1st 2015, 9:43 AM

    I’ll start the 5th…..hopefully

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    Mute Robin Basstard
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    Jan 1st 2015, 9:41 AM

    Yes my New Year’s Resolution is not to make a New Year’s Resolution, lets hope I can stick to it.

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    Mute Breandán Ó Conchúir
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    Jan 1st 2015, 11:25 AM

    set some end of year fitness goals thats all

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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Jan 1st 2015, 2:32 PM

    Wicklow 200 for me in June. The training starts Saturday.

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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Jan 1st 2015, 10:44 AM

    I’m going to give up smoking on April fool’s Day – it seems more apt for some reason !

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    Mute Francie Coffey
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    Jan 1st 2015, 12:30 PM

    I am going to more decisive, – maybe…

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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    Jan 1st 2015, 12:40 PM

    Just seen an add for Easter, EASTER?!!!!!!?

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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Jan 1st 2015, 2:33 PM

    The eggs should be in Tesco’s any day now

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    Mute John S
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    Jan 1st 2015, 7:51 PM

    99% sure I drove over the Easter bunny today.

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    Mute Des Doran
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    Jan 1st 2015, 1:16 PM

    I’m not paying for Water,
    And I will do more to bring this,
    Government to an end

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    Mute Liz Potts
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    Jan 1st 2015, 1:39 PM

    You’re also writing more haikus in 2015 i see…..good stuff

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    Mute Bobby Phelan
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    Jan 1st 2015, 5:46 PM

    Des.spot on more protesting against banks property tax USC water tax.general election now

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    Mute Mark O'Hagan
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    Jan 1st 2015, 3:28 PM

    No point when there are still loads of chocolates and biscuits still begging to be eaten.

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    Mute Saorlaith
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    Jan 1st 2015, 1:02 PM

    I’m going to try and mark a few things off my Bucket list.

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    Mute John Ward
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    Jan 1st 2015, 7:21 PM

    There’s nothing new about New Year
    It’s just a state of mind to clear
    Away some old regrets we fear
    Will taint our lives, it would appear.

    We make new resolutions then
    To old bad habits turn again.
    I’ve found the ultimate solution:
    Resolve to make no resolution!

    John Ward

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    Mute Chris
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    Jan 1st 2015, 3:44 PM

    I’ve resolved to see this gov kicked out of office

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    Mute Moll
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    Jan 1st 2015, 7:47 PM

    Mine are to get into uni, do more cardio and drink more water.. Pretty reasonable I think :)

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    Mute Datalore
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    Jan 1st 2015, 10:16 AM

    You forgot: “They were made for me!☺”

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    Mute De Wit
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    Jan 1st 2015, 7:00 PM

    Nope, have to start last years yet.

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    Mute Paul Lane
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    Jan 1st 2015, 2:18 PM

    I am going to cut down on

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    Mute Laurie Berry
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    Jan 1st 2015, 9:23 PM

    Drink more water and maybe cut down on the wine……

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    Mute Jake Chambers
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    Jan 3rd 2015, 9:24 AM

    Nope

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