During the 1700s and 1800s, the population and size of Cork city increased enormously. More marshes around the city were drained and built on. Some of the river channels were covered over and streets built over them, which still remain today.
St. Patrick's Bridge Cork 1853
Courtesy Cork City Libraries
Courtesy Cork City Libraries
More bridges were also built across the river channels. The image here is an illustration from London Illustrated News, showing the damage that a flood caused to the then St. Patrick's Bridge in 1853. This bridge would have been one of the many built in Cork in the 18th century. This bridge was subsequently replaced by a newer St. Patrick's Bridge. Why do you think a new bridge was built?