Survey Data
Reg No
15401805
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Historical, Technical
Original Use
Bridge
In Use As
Bridge
Date
1805 - 1810
Coordinates
238803, 251020
Date Recorded
17/11/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Single-arch hump-backed canal bridge carrying small road over Royal Canal, built c.1806. Constructed of coursed dressed limestone with ashlar limestone parapets and detailing, including projecting string course at parapet base level/road level and voussoirs to arch. Memorial plaque on parapet wall to east commemorates the life of the Rev. Paul Walsh 'Priest and scholar'. Tow path runs under bridge to the south side. Located to the west of Mullingar Town adjacent to later railway bridge to southwest.
Appraisal
A typically well-built canal bridge, which is a valuable part of the architectural heritage of Westmeath and the industrial heritage of Ireland. Although humble in form, this structure has a simple and functional elegance. It is robustly built in fine stone masonry, which is testament to the long term ambitions of the Royal Canal Company at the start of the nineteenth century. The use of locally sourced material gives it a distinctive visual appeal and helps to integrate this feature into the local landscape. The memorial plaque to the parapet wall to the east adds historical interest to this particular canal bridge. This bridge is apparently one of only two skew bridges along the entire length of the canal.