Survey Data
Reg No
15400602
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Technical
Original Use
Bridge
In Use As
Bridge
Date
1840 - 1850
Coordinates
232293, 264884
Date Recorded
16/11/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Single-arched road bridge over Black River, dated 1847. Constructed using squared limestone rubble with dressed limestone voussoirs to arch, projecting dressed limestone string course at road level and dressed limestone coping over parapet. An inscribed plaque to one of the parapets states that it was built by the Commissioners of Public Works and that the engineer involved was John Bevan. Located to the south of Rathowen.
Appraisal
A well-built bridge, of mid nineteenth-century appearance, which is pleasing feature in the rural landscape. This bridge is slightly earlier that most of the other Board of Works bridges over the Inny and its tributaries in the North Westmeath area. It is built to a different style and without the use of the heavily rusticated limestone masonry more commonly encountered. The finely carved date plaque is an interesting feature that adds another layer of interest to this particular bridge. Ardglass Bridge represents an important element of the civil engineering Heritage of County Westmeath and is an attractive structure in its own right.