Survey Data
Reg No
14916027
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Scientific, Technical
Previous Name
Huband Aqueduct
Original Use
Aqueduct
In Use As
Aqueduct
Date
1800 - 1805
Coordinates
229437, 225129
Date Recorded
10/09/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Three-arch aqueduct over river, dated 1803. Part ivy-covered snecked limestone walls centred on tooled limestone ashlar triangular cutwaters to piers having pyramidal capping with cut-limestone stringcourses supporting parapets having cut-limestone coping centred on lichen-covered cut-limestone plaque ("1803"). Series of three segmental arches with tooled limestone ashlar voussoirs. Sited spanning Tullamore River with unkempt banks to river.
Appraisal
An aqueduct representing an important component of the civil engineering heritage of County Offaly with the architectural value of the composition, one recalling the nearby Charleville Aqueduct (see 14916018), confirmed not only by the silver-grey limestone dressings demonstrating good quality workmanship, but also by the elegant "sweep" of the arches making a pleasing visual statement at a crossing over the Tullamore River: meanwhile, a discreet benchmark remains of additional interest for the connections with cartography and the preparation of maps by the Ordnance Survey (established 1824). NOTE: A plaque perpetuates the memory of Joseph Huband (d. 1835) who was a director of the Grand Canal Company (cf. 11901307; 50100594).