Survey Data
Reg No
40909239
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Technical
Original Use
Bridge
In Use As
Bridge
Date
1840 - 1880
Coordinates
174256, 382795
Date Recorded
11/11/2007
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Double-arched bridge carrying small country road over tributary of the Meengilcarry River, built c. 1860, having dressed ashlar V-profile cutwater to central pier. Segmental-headed arches having dressed stone voussoirs; random rubble construction to arch barrels. Uncoursed rubble stone construction to spandrels and abutments, rubble stone construction to parapets with random rubble coping over. Tarmacadam deck with grass verges. Heavy modern cement pointing in places. Located in the rural landscape to the north/north-east of Killybegs.
Appraisal
This simple double-arched road bridge retains its early character and form, and is an appealing feature in the scenic landscape to the north-east of Killybegs. It is robustly-constructed in local rubble stone masonry, and its continued survival and use stands as testament to the quality of its original construction, and of the skill of the masons involved. The good quality dressed stone voussoirs to the arches and the ashlar construction to the cutwaters are of a high standard, which helps to elevate this bridge above many of its contemporaries in Donegal. The use of heavy modern cement pointing detracts somewhat from its visual appeal. This bridge probably dates to the mid-nineteenth century (not depicted on Ordnance Survey first edition six-inch map), and its construction was probably funded by the Grand Juries (the forerunners of the Local Authorities/County Councils). This simple bridge is an integral element of the built heritage of the local area, and is a feature of some picturesque merit in the rural landscape to the north-east of Killybegs.