Ardfinnan Bridge is a 13 arch road bridge over the River Suir, rebuilt in circa 1800, showing evidence of widening to east elevation. The bridge, which is located on the R665 Road southwest of Clonmel, spans the River Suir, is a National Monument (Ref CT 20) (Ref No. TS088-001002) and is listed on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) (Ref No. 22126003). The bridge incorporates medieval and/or seventeenth-century fabric. The bridge spans consists of irregular arches, varying between round and segmental and of varying heights, with cut-stone V-cut-waters to the western (upstream) elevation. The bridge also incorporates three dry round overflow arches to its southern end, and a segmental arch over the millstream to the east side of its northern end.

Significant defects in the bridge were identified and remedial measures proposed. The design of the various remedial works were progressed in consultation with the relevant authorities, including Tipperary County Council, the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, National Parks and Wildlife Services and Inland Fisheries Ireland.

Ardfinnan Bridge is also located within the Lower River Suir Special Area of Conservation (SAC) (Ref: 002137) and therefore remedial works to the structure were subject to a number of constraints arising from the ecological/environmental sensitives and protected status of the habitat.

PUNCH advanced the proposed remediation works through planning under Section 177AE of the Planning and Development Act 2000. This consisted of a direct submission to An Bord Pleanála due to the findings of the Appropriate Assessment Screening process. Approval of the proposed bridge remedial works was granted in August 2018.

Following successful planning approval, PUNCH prepared tender documentation, including detailed ecological/environmental mitigation measures cognisant of the SAC requirements, with subsequent remedial works successfully completed in the Summer/Fisheries period between June and September 2019.