in 1884, a metal bridge was built across the river slaney upstream from today's bridge. it was built of iron from new ross, and assembled in the bridge meadow beside where the bridge stood. this bridge was washed away in 1965 by a flood. the remains of the bridge were visible from the bank of the river for some years, until it was removed in 2007, during the building of bunclody golf and fishing club beside the river slaney.