Quick response in restoring a brick at Buncrana’s Castle Bridge praised

The quick response in restoring a brick in Buncrana’s 18th-century Castle Bridge has been praised.

A cornerstone was dropped into Crana river after being removed from the parapet of the bridge, which was built in 1718 before Donegal County Council managed to locate and reinstall the piece on Thursday.

Both the Buncrana Tidy Towns Initiative and local Inishowen councillor Jack Murray were thankful for the work, having described the initial act as “outrageous vandalism.”

“Disheartening as it was to find and photograph the bridge in this state in the morning, our thanks to Donegal County Council for their quick response and retrieving the stone from the river and putting it back in its rightful place, by the afternoon,” Buncrana Tidy Towns Initiative posted on Thursday.

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“They also repaired the cornerstone on the other side of the bridge that was reported out of place last year. Our beautiful bridge is once again intact and will hopefully stand for a few centuries more. Also, thanks to Jack Murray for helping us to highlight this issue.”

Murray also commented in saying: “Massive thanks to our local council staff who responded so quickly this morning. The stone has now been removed from the river and reset in its rightful place on the bridge's wall. Credit where credit's due. The response couldn't have been quicker.

“ I was so saddened to be sent these photos this morning. Outrageous vandalism at the Castle Bridge as a stone has been removed and thrown in the river. This bridge has stood for over 300 years. It's the symbol of Buncrana and is loved by so many people. This is an insult to the people of Buncrana, and particularly to local Tidy Towns volunteers who work their socks off to present the town as best as it possibly can be.

“I'd ask everyone to keep an eye out and report any vandalism if you see it. Most importantly, I'd ask those responsible to have a bit of cop-on and think about what you're doing.”