Midleton, guardian of the chapel of St. Mary received licence to fortify the bridge. The ancient viaduct was destroyed by the great flood of 1793. The flood washed away many of the major bridges crossing the River Nore and so a comprehensive rebuilding programme was initiated in the eighteenth century. Kilkenny architect William Robertson worked on it in 1826, with the design of the bridge attributed (according to the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) to George Smith. Other bridges, built or rebuilt in the same period, include Green's Bridge in Kilkenny City, Thomastown Bridge on the River Nore, Graiguenamanagh Bridge on the River Barrow, Inistioge Bridge on the Nore, Goresbridge on the Barrow, and the bridge at Mount Juliet. Parks and recreation Nore Valley Park, 3.2 km from Bennettsbridge, includes a camping and caravan park, activity centre, open farm, farm trail, crazy golf course and a picnic and barbecue area. There is lake fishing at Wallslough Village. Arts and crafts Nicholas Mosse Pottery was established by Nicholas Mosse in 1976. It is located at an old riverside mill in Bennettsbridge. It is possible to watch potters at work as they produce pottery in the style of Irish Spongeware which was a traditional 18th Century type of pottery. Stoneware Jackson is another local pottery studio. The pieces are hand-thrown, featuring two-color glazing and Celtic motifs. Moth to a Flame is a local candle maker based on the Bennettsbridge road on the way into the village coming from Kilkenny city. Sport Bennettsbridge GAA is the local Gaelic Athletic Association club. People Noel Skehan, former Kilkenny hurling goalkeeper. Hubert Butler, the essayist. James McGarry, former Kilkenny hurling goalkeeper. John McGovern, former Kilkenny hurling player. See also List of towns and villages in Ireland References External links Kilkenny Photographic Society Pictures Bennettsbridge GAA Cemetery records Tullaherin Heritage Society Towns and villages in County Kilkenny Census towns in County Kilkenny