Survey Data
Reg No
40840030
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Technical
Original Use
Bridge
In Use As
Bridge
Date
1850 - 1870
Coordinates
226262, 394808
Date Recorded
08/04/2008
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Single-arch former railway bridge, built c. 1863, carrying road over the former Strabane to Stranorlar section of the Derry (Victoria Road) to Killybegs railway line. Railway lines now out of use with tracks removed (c. 1960); arch now partially infilled and blocked to the east elevation. Squared and coursed limestone construction to spandrels and parapets. Roughly squared and coursed rubble limestone masonry to parapets with rock-faced granite coping over, and with rock-faced sandstone quoins to the corners. Round-headed arch having rock-faced voussoirs with drafted margins, and with squared stone masonry to arch barrel. Tarmacadam deck. Located to the south of the centre of Castlefinn, and a short distance to the east of the former Castlefinn Railway Station (see 40840027 and 40840028).
Appraisal
This former railway bridge retains much of its original form and character despite the blocking to the arch to the east, and the infilling of the arch to the west. The good-quality rock-faced masonry used in the construction of the arch and as the coping to the parapets is a typical feature of Victorian railway engineering and architecture in Ireland. The contrast between the grey limestone dimension stone to the parapets and the red sandstone to the rock-faced coping creates an interesting textural and tonal contrast. It survives in relatively good condition, which is testament to the quality of its original construction, and of the ambitions of the railway company involved in its initial construction. This bridge was originally built to serve the Strabane to Stranorlar section of the Derry (Victoria Road) to Killybegs railway line, which was opened in September 1863 by the Finn Valley Railway Company. It was originally a narrow gauge railway line but it was later converted to the standard Irish gauge (5 foot 3-inches) in 1894. The railway line was completed as far as Killybegs in 1893. This section between Strabane and Stranorlar was finally closed to passengers on the first of January 1960, and to goods a few weeks later. This former railway forms part of a group of related structures along with the former Castlefinn Railway Station to the west (see 40840027 and 40840028) adjacent to the west, and is an integral element of the built heritage and transport history of the east of the county.