A short while ago, an article appeared in Remember When? regarding the origin of the name Ireland Bridge, linking it to the influx of Irish immigrants who came to work in the mills.This is correct.

The bridge is properly called Bingley Bridge. When the Irish moved into the area, they frequented the Brown Cow Inn.This became known colloquially as Ireland Inn and it appears on the 1848 survey map under both names. As the bridge is adjacent to the pub, it became known as Ireland Bridge.

Geoff Hutton