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Back in 1965 a Louth County Council proposal for a new bridge between Omeath and Warrenpoint was seen as a "most attractive" tourism initiative but with an estimated cost of £200k to Northern Ireland it was deemed as a project that money wouldn't be available for at the time.
Currently almost 50 years later the Narrow Water Bridge is well on the way to becoming a reality with building progress continuing at a pace and the funding for the project coming from the Irish Government. Tánaiste Micheál Martin launched the scheme during a visit to the site in June 2024.
The revelations are found from public records released under the 50 year rule, in a letter dated 2 June 1965 from T A Harrison to a Mr Buchanan which estimated a maximum summer use of 1,500 vehicles per day.
Harrison said in the letter "At present I cannot see money being available for this work. It is a proposal which is most attractive from a tourist point of view and is worthy of further consideration in the future."
The completed opening Narrow Water Bridge is expected to be in operation by 2027 and is expected to be a game-changer for the district's tourism offering giving visitors a new way to access the Mournes, South Armagh and the Cooley Mountains.
