The paper refers briefly to the history and physical features of the pilgrimage island in Co. Donegal, and the unusual difficulties which the site presents to constructional work. J. Gwynn
The Republic of Ireland has a strong commitment to the concept of the European Community. With an unenviable history behind it, it now finds itself taking part in a European unification process which is based not on military power but on economic imperatives and, while Ireland constitutes well less than 1% of the European population or of any other measure of contribution, it has an influence far in excess of its size. Perhaps that is why we tend to look positively to the European Community as a source of change for the good. J.A. Kavanagh
The excellent report, Qualitative analysis of structures, by a subcommittee of the Education & Examinations Committee of IStructE, appears not to have received any explicit attention in this journal, since its publication in September 1989. However, the Viewpoint of Mr P. M. Morreau (7 August 1990) was another welcome contribution on the theme and did attract some comment. M.J. Creed
An existing bakery building unused for some years was developed into a striking modern office building incorporating all the hitec services requirements of the '90s. B.P. Hendrick
The Construction Products Directive covers the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the member states of the EEC relating to construction products and it has the basic purpose of removing technical barriers to trade. N.M. Ryan
As far as the future is concerned, the practice of structural engineering for many members of our Institution will be heavily influenced by several interrelated developments currently in train in Europe. These developments are taking place approximately in parallel with each other, and this and the foiIowing articles will try to explain, especially to engineers in Ireland, how, and approximately when, these developments will affect their day-to-day practice. N.V.Torpey
A cast-iron arched footbridge with a single span of 43 m was erected across the River Liffey in Dublin in 1816. The formal name of the bridge is now Liffey Bridge, but it has always been known as the Ha’penny Bridge. The paper describes the site of the bridge and features of its design and construction, and follows its history up to the present day. Analysis of the structure is not offered. J.W. de Courcy
The involvement of the Republic of Ireland Branch in this issue of The Structural Engineer provides an excellent opportunity for putting down on paper a general view of the Institution as it is on, and as it is seen from, this side of ‘the water’, and of marking a further stage of the happy and valuable relationship between the branch and Upper Belgrave Street. I feel honoured that the branch has invited me to delve, as the mood takes me, into the numerous matters to which the branch committee and membership devotes much time and not a little effort. N.V. Torpey