Survey Data
Reg No
15400609
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Social, Technical
Original Use
Bridge
In Use As
Bridge
Date
1870 - 1880
Coordinates
234808, 264724
Date Recorded
16/11/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Twin-arched road bridge over River Inny, dated 1874. Now out of use and superceded by a modern bridge to the south. Constructed of coursed squared limestone rubble with rusticated rock-faced limestone voussoirs to arches and rusticated limestone copping over parapet. Projecting V-profile cut water to central pier. Located to the northwest of Ballinalack.
Appraisal
A robustly-built and substantial road bridge, which is a pleasing and distinct feature in the rural landscape. The good quality rusticated masonry is a typical feature of the many bridges built by Board of Works in the mid-to late nineteenth-century, suggesting that the board were responsible for the construction of this handsome structure. This bridge replaced an earlier five arch bridge located at this site, at a time when the River Inny was considerably wider at this point (Ordnance Survey Map 1838; Lewis 1837). Ballinalack Bridge is an important element of the civil engineering Heritage of County Westmeath and remains a structure of some picturesque appeal along the main Mullingar to Longford Road.