“Little” Bridge Street: A mini Westport comes to life at the library

A bustling miniature version of one of Westport’s best-loved streets is now on display at Westport Library.

This remarkable 3D model of Bridge Street, crafted entirely by the 6th class pupils of Scoil Phádraig, is far more than just a class project — it’s a testament to sustainability, creativity, and community spirit.

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The model, built to scale using measurements taken from Google Maps and data collected using trundle wheels, showcases every shopfront and detail from the actual street — right down to the direction of traffic, loading bays, disabled parking, and even working solar-powered street lights that glow at night. The foliage is replenished every couple of days to keep the street looking its best. 

The 6th class pupils of Scoil Phádraig who created the scale model of Bridge Street

“It’s proven to be very, very popular,” said Keith Martin, librarian at Westport Library. 

“We’ve never had a 3D model of any street in the town before. The attention to detail is fantastic. Every shop is represented, there are little cars all facing the right way, and the children even thought of the solar lights that switch on when it gets dark.  It's fantastic and it's very interactive.”

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Each of the 21 pupils was assigned a section of the street to illustrate, and their colourful drawings were inserted into the transparent fronts of recycled DVD cases to represent the shopfronts. The street’s features were brought to life with recycled materials: empty glue sticks wrapped in twine as trees, raisin boxes as chimneys, and other reclaimed items forming the street’s features.

Kate McCormack & Sons and Matt Molloy's on Bridge Street

“It’s to scale and looks amazing,” said James Duffy of The Bookshop on Bridge Street, which is featured in the model. “It’s unreal to see, and I love the scenic backdrop. We're delighted to be part of it.”

The initiative was guided by teacher Grace Kelly and SNA Caroline Barrett, who worked closely with the class to bring the idea to life as part of the 2025 Abbvie STEM Prize — a national competition encouraging primary school students to create STEM-based solutions addressing local challenges, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Nearly 900 students from 23 schools across six counties took part in the competition last year.

Scoil Phádraig’s project earned runner-up in the competition, with judges praising the students’ “real creativity, local impact and thoughtful links to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.” Their focus on clean energy — specifically the solar lighting on the street — was a standout element. The win also brings a bonus: a €1,000 prize in STEM materials for the incoming sixth-class students to enjoy next school year.

The 6th year students using a trundle wheel to measure Bridge Street

The model was proudly installed at the library once school closed for summer. And it’s not going anywhere just yet.

“It’s going to be here for the month of July at least, maybe longer,” added Martin.

So, if you haven’t seen “Little Bridge Street” yet, make your way to Westport Library. Stand in front of the model, put your cheek against the table and look down the tiny street. You’ll see not just a model, but a miniature monument to imagination, teamwork, and the bright ideas of the next generation.