Survey Data

Reg No

21513015


Rating

Regional


Categories of Special Interest

Architectural, Scientific, Technical


Original Use

Bridge


In Use As

Bridge


Date

1840 - 1850


Coordinates

157856, 157438


Date Recorded

15/07/2005


Date Updated

--/--/--


Description

Triple-span flat road bridge, built between 1844-46, to replace New Bridge, which had been constructed in 1762, connecting Rutland Street, Bank Place to the south with Merchant's Quay, Bridge Street and George's Quay to the north. Four semi-circular limestone ashlar breakwaters with semi-dome cappings to east side of piers supporting elliptical arches, with rusticated limestone ashlar voussoirs. Rock-faced limestone ashlar spandrels with a chamfered limestone plinth course beneath limestone ashlar parapet walls. Splayed abutments to north and south extending from abutment piers to square-plan outer piers all having a rock-face limestone ashlar finish. Modern metal lamp standards rise from parapets. Commemorative plaque to east parapet reads: 'Mathew Bridge contracted for in the year 1844 during the Mayoralty of the Right Worshipful William I Geary M.D. The expense of its erection borne by the Corporation and by presentments from the County and City Grand Juries. Opened in the month June 1846 The Right Worshipful E.F.G. Ryan Mayor W.H. Owen Architect John Duggan Builder John F. Raleigh Esqr. Town Clerk Francis I. O'Neill Esqr. Treasurer.'

Appraisal

This bridge replaced an existing bridge called New Bridge which was constructed in 1762 linking Englishtown with the expanding and developing new town (Baal's Bridge was for a long time the only eastern connection between the Englishtown to the north and the south of the Abbey River to Irishtown). The bridge, with its commodious flat deck and finely crafted stonework, was erected to the designs of William Henshaw Owen. The bridge was opened in July 1846 and the contractor was John Duggan.