The Spike Bridge, Courtown Woods

Regular walkers of Courtown Woods will have noticed the much-loved Spike Bridge has been closed. We've been inundated with calls, texts and emails - so here's everything you need to know.

The closure


February 2024 · Wexford Walking Trail statement

Wooden bridge spanning a narrow stream in a lush, green park with trees and bushes, under a partly cloudy sky.

In February, Coillte carried out an on-site assessment and made the decision to close the bridge, after a complaint to the council that its sides had become "rickety". The people who made the complaint didn't realise it would mean the bridge being closed off indefinitely.

For the many people who use the bridge daily, this was upsetting and there was real local anger, so much so that an unknown person reopened it under cover of darkness. Local councillors contacted the Wexford Coillte officer on the community's behalf. Joe Sullivan was particularly adamant that the closure put walkers at risk, leaving no safe way for pedestrians to reach Gorey on foot across the river.

What happened next

CCC & Wexford Bat Association bat walk · Sept 2024

Coillte reassessed the bridge and kindly agreed to carry out essential repairs and reopen it in time for the St Patrick's Day weekend.

The plan now is to make the repairs that bring the bridge up to safety standards, while also looking into funding for a potential replacement in the years to come.

We're delighted the local community was heard and that the bridge has reopened.

How old is the Spike Bridge?

  • 1985

    current bridge built, from Irish Douglas Fir

  • £15,000

    its 1985 cost - roughly €40,000 today

  • ~90 ft

    height of the Cedar of Lebanon on the river walk

The earlier Spike Bridge had a large iron spike gate at one end. Used by the workers of the Courtown estate, it was closed and locked at night and on Sundays. Though according to local historian Anna Kinsella, children used those same iron spikes to swing around the gate and get across the bridge - to steal apples from Lord Courtown's orchards.

The bridge was also used by the Stopford family to reach the woodland paths on the south side of the river. The Riverside Walk holds some of the most prized specimen trees from Lord Courtown's collection: Californian Redwoods, Japanese Cedars, American White Cedar, English Yews, Cedar of Lebanon

Black and white photo of a large, historic mansion with multiple stories, chimneys, and a front porch, surrounded by trees and a grassy lawn.

All that remains of Courtown House is the front lawn, which stretches down to the riverbank. It's believed the steps seen here were part of a path network that once led to the Spike Bridge.

Photo credit: Mick O'Callaghan, Love Gorey.

Loop walk in the ancient woods of Courtown — lovegorey.ie →

A wooden bridge crossing over a small river in a lush forest with trees and greenery.

Walk the woods

The Spike Bridge is one stop on the Riverside Walk. Plan a woodland walk, or explore more of Courtown's heritage.

Things to do
Heritage overview