ENGINEERING GIANTS
A visionary engineer himself, Berkeley Deane Wise followed in the footsteps of two titans of the Victorian period
The greatest engineer of the century, Englishman Isambard Kingdom Brunel worked on an extension of the original Dublin to Kingstown railway line, built by William Dargan, 'the father of Irish railways'.
Conceived as part of an ambitious rail and sea connection to Wales, it involved the herculean engineering task of overcoming the section of coast at Bray Head which, it was claimed, 'would never be conquered'.
Thanks to a network of tunnels, viaducts and bridges along the cliffs, the work was successfully completed in 1872, partly thanks to a brilliant young engineer ' Berkeley Deane Wise!
WILLIAM
DARGAN
© Mary Evans Picture Library 
ISAMBARD
KINGDOM BRUNEL
© Mary Evans Picture Library - AWise's original plans for his station at Portrush.
Courtesy of the Deputy Keeper of Records, Public Record Office of Northern Ireland T3020/152 - BBerkeley Deane Wise surveys the railway line close to Whitehead.
Photograph © National Museums Northern Ireland Collection Ulster Museum
A MIRACLE OF ENGINEERING
The Herculean task of building The Gobbins path wrung every inch of ingenuity out of Berkeley Deane Wise. All was calculated by hand, his designs based on judgement rather than formal codes or standards.
Wise's workmen, all railway company employees, worked in perilous conditions 'up to 20 metres above sea level' often enduring biting rain and ferocious winds. They received no safety training and their equipment and clothing would seem primitive compared to today.
Wise began to cut and blast his path in May 1901. The smaller bridges were constructed on site, with concrete poured over cast iron beams. However, due to a lack of space and heavy seas, the more elaborate bridges, such as the famous Tubular Bridge, had to be built in Belfast. From there they would be transferred by train and boat, then hoisted into position by workmen using ropes and pulleys.
Wise completed the first section of his path, from Wise's Eye to Gordon's Leap in August 1902. It was an achievement that earned him the right to be ranked alongside the great engineers of the age.
- AMany elements of the original path were shap ed by hand with tools like those being used by these Belfast blacksmiths.
Photograph © National Museums Northern Ireland Collection Ulster Museum - BThe metalwork for the original path was cast in Belfast foundries like this one.
Photograph © National Museums Northern Ireland Collection Ulster Museum - CWise's bridges were fabricated in Belfast at works like this.
Photograph © National Museums Northern Ireland Collection Harland & Wolff, Ulster Folk & Transport Museum - DBerkeley Deane Wise stands next to The Tubular Bridge as it is being pulled in to position.
This photograph was published by the Belfast Telegraph 30 years after The Gobbins rst opened.
© Belfast Telegraph, Courtesy of the Lennon Family
A NEW PATHAT THE GOBBINS
Today's path recreates Berkeley Deane Wise's vision for a new era. Following largely the same route as the original path, visitors can experience the same sense of awe as their Edwardian counterparts on the day it opened
New bridges, designed using technology that Wise could only have dreamed of, merge seamlessly with the dramatic landscape around them. Using the latest 3D software, they have been designed to withstand maximum wave impact.
The new Tubular Bridge is as spectacular as Wise's original. Like the other new bridges it was lowered into position by crane from a specially built crane pad on the cliff top.
Most of the original bridges have been removed. At the path itself, only concrete abutments and a handful of the original handrail stanchions remain. But the steps you tread on are the same ones carved out with hammers and chisels by Wise's men over a century ago. Welcome to The Gobbins path!
- ACrane on crane pad on the cliff top.
Courtesy of McLaughlin Harvey - BPreparing the cliff for path supports.
Courtesy of McLaughlin Harvey - CSpecially trained workers used a system of ropes and harnesses.
Courtesy of McLaughlin Harvey
Engineering facts! 
The PAST v's the NOW...
Move Arrows left and right
THEN
The Tubular Bridge was winched up the cliff from the sea by hand, using ropes and pulleys.
NOW
The Tubular Bridge was lowered into position by crane from the clifftop.
THEN
The Tubular Bridge's walkway was 0.6 metres wide. The bridge weighed 6.5 tonnes.
NOW
The Tubular Bridge is twice as wide. Yet the whole structure weighs less - 5.8 tonnes.
THEN
Workers cut steps and built the path using picks and shovels.
NOW
Workers built the path using giant battery- powered drills and chisels.
THEN
Materials were brought by rail and barge. Some bigger bridges were built in Belfast.
NOW
Materials were brought by lorry. Some bigger bridges were built in Mallusk.
THEN
Workers wore hobnail boots, trousers and shirts. They used simple ropes to support their weight.
NOW
Workers wore steel toecap boots, high-visibility overalls and protection for knees, elbows and eyes. They used climbing harnesses and headgear.
THEN
Bridges were made of cast iron, repainted during harsh winter weather each year.
NOW
Bridges are made of stainless steel, needing minimal maintenance.
