The Swinging Bridge, Sion Mills, River Mourne, 26 Nov 2023 DSC_0908-2
The "Swinging Bridge" (as it is known locally) or Bearney Footbridge is a suspension footbridge spanning the River Mourne. A much earlier version of the bridge built by the Herdman brothers to allow workers from the townlands of Camus and Bearney on the East bank to access the Hermand’s Flax Mill on the West bank. During a devistating flood of 22 October 1987 the old bridge was washed away, also the banks of the river burst and flooded the nearby town of Strabane. The old bridge was replaced with the one you see today.
The swinging bridge "bounces" slightly as you step across it, some enjoy it and others take fear. The bridge span is 203 ft (62m) and is suspended on two main steel cables with numerious vertial drop steel tension cables. The deck beams and handrails have been manufactured from structrual rectangular hollow section (RHS). It was once the longest suspension bridge in the country.
From the middle of the bridge you will be presented with spectacular views of the River Mourne both upstream to the ‘Grevenue Pool’ and downstream to the ‘Long Streams’ and the surrounding wooded banks of the river. Regularly during the salmon fishing season, anglers will wade the water fly fishing for the allusive salmon. This is a marvellous spot in which to view this active sporting pastime partaken by many locals and visiting anglers.
Access to the bridge is available on both banks with available parking. However, parking on the East bank is at the side of the Liskey Road which is both narrow and busy. For that reason, I’d suggest parking on the West bank at the start of the path leading to the Mourneside walk.
Accessible from the main A5 road from Strabane to Sion Mills, turning left at the centre of the village (at the traffic lights), onto Mill Avenue (Willows) heading for Herdman’s old Mill & Mourneside Walk.
Parking is available to the right just before the mill gates. From here it’s a short walk down the path that skirts the edge of the Herdman's site. The mills fading splendour only serves to underline the beauty of the river area once you reach its tree-lined banks and numerous viewing locations.
The Swinging Bridge, Sion Mills, River Mourne, 26 Nov 2023 DSC_0908-2
The "Swinging Bridge" (as it is known locally) or Bearney Footbridge is a suspension footbridge spanning the River Mourne. A much earlier version of the bridge built by the Herdman brothers to allow workers from the townlands of Camus and Bearney on the East bank to access the Hermand’s Flax Mill on the West bank. During a devistating flood of 22 October 1987 the old bridge was washed away, also the banks of the river burst and flooded the nearby town of Strabane. The old bridge was replaced with the one you see today.
The swinging bridge "bounces" slightly as you step across it, some enjoy it and others take fear. The bridge span is 203 ft (62m) and is suspended on two main steel cables with numerious vertial drop steel tension cables. The deck beams and handrails have been manufactured from structrual rectangular hollow section (RHS). It was once the longest suspension bridge in the country.
From the middle of the bridge you will be presented with spectacular views of the River Mourne both upstream to the ‘Grevenue Pool’ and downstream to the ‘Long Streams’ and the surrounding wooded banks of the river. Regularly during the salmon fishing season, anglers will wade the water fly fishing for the allusive salmon. This is a marvellous spot in which to view this active sporting pastime partaken by many locals and visiting anglers.
Access to the bridge is available on both banks with available parking. However, parking on the East bank is at the side of the Liskey Road which is both narrow and busy. For that reason, I’d suggest parking on the West bank at the start of the path leading to the Mourneside walk.
Accessible from the main A5 road from Strabane to Sion Mills, turning left at the centre of the village (at the traffic lights), onto Mill Avenue (Willows) heading for Herdman’s old Mill & Mourneside Walk.
Parking is available to the right just before the mill gates. From here it’s a short walk down the path that skirts the edge of the Herdman's site. The mills fading splendour only serves to underline the beauty of the river area once you reach its tree-lined banks and numerous viewing locations.