Survey Data
Reg No
41400965
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Technical
Original Use
Bridge
In Use As
Bridge
Date
1835 - 1840
Coordinates
263976, 332582
Date Recorded
22/04/2012
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Single-arch humpback canal bridge, built c.1838, carrying road over Ulster Canal. Elliptical arch with tooled sandstone voussoirs. Squared coursed sandstone to spandrel walls, stones missing in places revealing sand, lime and clay packing materials. Square-plan squared stone piers to ends of parapet, and spandrel walls, to each elevation. Tooled stone platband to base of parapet walls. Gunnelled squared stone to soffits. Towpath with tooled stone coping running to north abutment.
Appraisal
Unlike some canal bridges in this area, this example remains in use by the road, which is testament to quality of civil engineering skill which was involved in its construction. Although it is somewhat overgrown, details such as its tooled stone platband, voussoirs, and squared stone piers enliven each elevation. The elliptical shape of the arch reflects its relatively late date of construction, as the three-centred arch was favoured in early canal bridges. A component part of the Ulster Canal which linked Lough Neagh with Upper Lough Erne, this bridge is representative of the endeavour to provide a comprehensive network of navigable waterways in Ireland, prior to the advent of railway transport, and as such is an integral piece of transport history.