Survey Data
Reg No
40815004
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural
Original Use
Gates/railings/walls
In Use As
Gates/railings/walls
Date
1720 - 1840
Coordinates
234387, 432593
Date Recorded
11/09/2008
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Gateway serving Buncrana Castle (see 40815001), erected c. 1800, comprising a pair of mildly rock-faced squared and coursed rubble stone gate piers (on square-plan) having rock-faced stone capstones over with spiky rubble stone coping. Pedestrian entrance to the west side of gateway having rock-faced stone lintel over. Sections of squared and coursed rubble stone walling, and rubble stone walling to either side, that to the west adjoining parapet of Castle Bridge (see 40815003). Gates now removed. Located to the south-east of Buncrana Castle, and to the north-west of Buncrana town centre.
Appraisal
This distinctive gateway is one of a pair of very similar gateways serving Buncrana Castle (see 40815001). This gateway serves an original secondary entrance, the main entrance (see 40815005, now out of use) being originally to the east of the castle with a long straight approach avenue leading over Castle Bridge (see 40815003) into a forecourt serving the castle. The gate piers are constructed using good quality squared and coursed rubble stone masonry while the unusual spiky coping creates a distinctive and quite picturesque appearance. The original construction date is not clear though it could date to the early-eighteenth century although it is probably a later addition. The survival of this gateway adds to the integrity of the Buncrana Castle estate, and it forms part of a group of structures associated with this important site.