Survey Data
Reg No
40907027
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Technical
Original Use
Bridge
In Use As
Bridge
Date
1820 - 1870
Coordinates
223085, 400469
Date Recorded
02/10/2007
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Double-arched bridge carrying road over the Deele River, built c. 1820 and altered/rebuilt c. 1860, having semi-circular ashlar cutwater to central pier to both upstream and downstream elevations. Segmental-headed arches having mildly rock-faced ashlar sandstone voussoirs to arch with rock-faced keystone detail; squared rubble stone construction to the arch barrel. Squared and coursed mildly rock-faced rubble stone construction to pier and spandrels with projecting squared and coursed mildly rock-faced rubble stone piers (on square-plan) to either end of bridge rising to parapet level with cement coping over. Squared rubble stone construction to parapets with projecting cut stone stringcourse at road deck level carried around piers. Tarmacadam deck. Squared rubble stone wing walls to ends of parapets. Located in the rural countryside to the north-east of Convoy and to the south-west of Raphoe.
Appraisal
This appealing double-arched road bridge retains its early character and form, and is an appealing feature in the rural landscape to the south-west of Raphoe. This bridge is distinguished by the good-quality mildly rock-faced construction to the arch rings , pier and spandrels, while the cut stone stringcourse at road deck level and the rounded cutwaters illustrate an attention to detail not commonly found on bridges. Its continued survival and use stands as testament to the quality of its original construction, and of the skill of the masons involved. A bridge is indicated here on the Ordnance Survey first edition six-inch map of 1837. However, the good-quality rock-faced voussoirs to the arches and the projecting buttresses flanking the arch are features found at the many bridges that were built or altered by the Board of Works during the mid-to-late nineteenth century, and particularly between c. 1847 - 60, suggesting that this bridge may have been built or altered around this time. This appealing bridge is an integral element of the built heritage and transport history of the local area, and makes a positive contribution to the landscape.