Survey Data
Reg No
40403510
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Technical
Original Use
Bridge
Date
1800 - 1805
Coordinates
281261, 296725
Date Recorded
02/08/2012
Date Updated
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Description
Single-arch rubble stone bridge with ashlar detail, built 1801, spanning a tributary of River Langan. Unpaved humped deck, now a forest path. Roughly coursed rubble stone and brick spandrel walls and parapet. Date shield to west face above arch reading ‘H.F. 1801’. Regular rock-faced voussoirs to segmental-headed arch ring with cement grouted rubble-stone soffit and mass-concrete repairs to outer abutments. Sweeping wing walls to either side.
Appraisal
A fine estate bridge forming part of a group of structures within the Cabra Castle demesne. The "H.F" of the inscription stands for Henry Foster, who married Anne Pratt of Cabra Castle in the early 1800s, after whom the name "Anne's Bridge" must have been given. The structure is distinguished by the date shield and its humped form, adding a picturesque quality that is complemented by the demesne woodland setting, and contributing to the architectural richness of Cabra Demesne. The bridge is not used as a modern road and therefore gives some insight into the form of a historic bridge in times before the advent of motor traffic and tarmacadam.