Survey Data
Reg No
20808015
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Technical
Previous Name
Doneraile House
Original Use
Bridge
In Use As
Bridge
Date
1720 - 1740
Coordinates
160606, 107386
Date Recorded
18/10/2006
Date Updated
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Description
Triple-arch road bridge over River Awbeg, built c. 1730. Bridge has two distinct elevations. East is plainer, with dressed stone voussoirs to arches. Tooled limestone detailing to west, upstream, elevation includes voussoirs, roundels to spandrels each side of middle arch, string course over tops of arches, and stepped V-cutwaters with ashlar coursed capping. Coursed limestone rubble walls to each elevation, with tooled facing to carriageway side of parapets, having tooled copings, with moulded caps to terminating piers.
Appraisal
This substantial road bridge, known as "Avenue Bridge", was built as part of the formal approach to Doneraile Court. The bridge, unusually, has two very different elevations, one quite ordinary and the other clearly showy and displaying the work of skilled masons, with tooled limestone details giving the bridge considerable artistic merit. Avenue Bridge is a testament to the skill and engineering of local craftsmen in the 18th century.