Survey Data
Reg No
30315004
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Technical
Original Use
Bridge
In Use As
Bridge
Date
1850 - 1855
Coordinates
130456, 225125
Date Recorded
30/07/2008
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Freestanding five-span viaduct, dated 1851, spanning arm of Lough Atalia, having four spans over water and one arch over Lough Atalia Road. Comprises three ashlar limestone piers to river, having battered sides, U-cutwaters to each elevation, string course continued to form caps to cutwaters, moulded cornices, parapet having cut-stone cornices and gabled caps. Parapet and some lower stonework missing from both elevations of middle pier. Landward piers comprise coursed rock-faced stonework with moulded string course and cut-stone coping to parapet, and having splayed abutments of similar construction and detailing. Wrought-iron box-girder construction to river spans and segmental wrought-iron arch structure to road, supported by wrought-iron trusses and having cast-iron elevations with maker's plaques, and cast-iron parapet. Earthen embankments beyond each end of bridge. Railway station adjacent to north-west.
Appraisal
This impressive railway viaduct has well executed limestone piers and wrought- and cast-ironwork bridge is an excellent example of the engineering work of the mid-nineteenth century. It is particularly noteworthy that James Stephens of Galway was responsible for the ironwork of the structure, they having a foundry close by between Dock Road and Merchant's Road. The attention to detail evident throughout the viaduct is considerable and makes it one of the finest of its kind in Ireland.