Lecture on man who opened up West
Glannanean Bridge in Mulranny is one of the structures designed by Alexander Nimmo.
Alexander Nimmo’s road construction programme in West Mayo and Galway two centuries ago will be the focus of the next lecture at Westport Civic Trust, which takes place in the Plaza Hotel, Westport on Tuesday, March 11th, commencing at 8pm.
Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill, writer and historian from Clifden, will deliver the lecture, which is free to members, otherwise €5.
Alexander Nimmo was an engineer who came from Scotland in 1811 and spent his life in Ireland working on a host of engineering and surveying projects. As well as mapping boglands in the west, he was contracted to design roads and bridges in the impoverished western district for the government’s Board of Works. He oversaw the construction of roughly 243 miles of road in Connacht as well as various piers and harbours.
The new roads were crucial in opening previously remote regions and in facilitating the modernisation and economic development of West Mayo and Galway. As we travel the Wild Atlantic Way today we are following routes laid out by this eminent engineer who died aged 49 in 1832.
