Ireland’s only double-decker bridge

Craigavon Bridge is the oldest of Derry’s 3 bridges and is the 3rd one built at this location over the mighty River Foyle. The 1st was built with wood in 1790 and was called ‘The Earl Hervey Bridge’. The 2nd was built with steel in 1863 and was called ‘The Carlisle Bridge’ which was eventually destroyed by an iceberg. The Craigavon Bridge was built in 1933 and named after the first Prime Minister of Northern Ireland – Lord Craigavon. Its lower deck carried freight trains that traveled from Derry to Donegal but it was renovated for cars in 1968 and so became the only double-decker road bridge in Ireland. Murals of trains can be seen at each end of the bridge that marks this history. There is also a famous bronze statue called ‘Hands Across the Divide’ by Derry sculptor Maurice Harron at the Carlisle Square side of the bridge.