Survey Data
Reg No
12327009
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Historical, Social, Technical
Original Use
Bridge
In Use As
Bridge
Date
1980 - 1985
Coordinates
246543, 119609
Date Recorded
05/07/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Fourteen-arch reinforced concrete road bridge over river, rebuilt 1983, incorporating fabric of earlier bridge, post-1840, on site (possibly subsequently repaired, 1924) comprising seven-span section to north-east terminating in single-arch underpass to north-east, and seven-span section to south-west. Coursed rock-faced cut-limestone walls to north-east having rock-faced cut-limestone tapered piers, limestone ashlar stringcourse, coursed cut-limestone parapet having cut-limestone coping, and cut-limestone terminating half-piers with moulded necking supporting half-pyramidal capping. Series of fourteen reinforced concrete lintel spans on grouped (three) cylindrical piers having steel railings over to parapet. Single round arch to underpass with rock-faced cut-limestone voussoirs, and squared limestone soffits having render over. Sited spanning River Suir with central section spanning Fiddown Island.
Appraisal
Forming a dramatic landmark in the landscape an impressive bridge presents a strong horizontal feature spanning a broad section of the River Suir. Retaining the fabric of an earlier counterpart on site the bridge is of additional importance for the historic associations with the Malcomson family of nearby Portlaw who, being major shareholders in the railway companies in Ireland, financed much of the construction as a means of connecting the model industrial village in County Waterford with the station recently established in Fiddown (12327004/KK-42-27-04). Possibly subsequently repaired following an incident related to "The Troubles" (1922-3) a total reconstruction of the bridge in the late twentieth century involved the retention of some earlier fabric displaying high quality stone masonry.