Survey Data
Reg No
40813003
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Technical
Original Use
Bridge
In Use As
Bridge
Date
1740 - 1770
Coordinates
206773, 430322
Date Recorded
20/11/2013
Date Updated
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Description
Single-arched bridge carrying road over the Duntally River, built c. 1755. Round-headed arch with rubble stone voussoirs; rubble stone construction to arch barrel. Rubble stone construction to spandrels and abutments. Side elevations (north-east and south-west) now largely overgrown. Rubble stone construction to parapets with rubble stone soldier coping over. Cement rendered repairs to parapet in places. Tarmacadam deck with grass verges. Located in the rural countryside to the south-east of Creeslough.
Appraisal
This attractive single-arch bridge retains its early form and character, and is a feature of some rustic appeal in the rural landscape to the south-east of Creeslough. 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 tall wide single-arch is a feature of some technical merit that helps to elevate it above many of its contemporaries in County Donegal. It was probably originally constructed during the mid-eighteenth century, a period that saw a great deal of road and bridge-building in Ireland, particularly by the Grand Juries (the forerunners of the County Councils). It formerly carried the main Dunfanaghy to Letterkenny and to Lifford. It was possibly built around the same time as nearby Lackagh Bridge (see 40902609), which was built in 1755-6 by William Wray of Ards House (demolished) to carry the same route way. This unassuming rustic bridge is an addition to both the built heritage of the local area and to the extensive transport heritage of County Donegal.