Survey Data
Reg No
40909324
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Technical
Original Use
Bridge
In Use As
Bridge
Date
1850 - 1880
Coordinates
185059, 383510
Date Recorded
03/11/2007
Date Updated
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Description
Double-arched bridge carrying small country road over tributary of the Eanybeg Water, built c. 1860, having rock-faced ashlar V-profile cutwater to central pier. Segmental-headed arches having rock-faced stone voussoirs with dressed margins; cement rendered finish to arch barrels. Coursed and roughly coursed rubble stone construction to spandrels and abutments. Coursed rubble stone construction to parapets with rock-faced coping over; modern concrete repairs in places. Tarmacadam deck with grass verges. Located adjacent to road junction. Located in the rural landscape to the north of Frosses.
Appraisal
This well-built double-arched road bridge retains its early character and form, despite some modern alterations, and is an appealing feature in the scenic landscape to the north of Frosses. 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 good quality rock-faced voussoirs to the arch and the rock-faced construction to the central cutwater are of a high standard, which helps to elevate this bridge above many of its contemporaries in Donegal. The use of rock-faced masonry is a feature of 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 originally dates to this time (not depicted on Ordnance Survey first edition six-inch map sheet of 1836). This fine bridge is an integral element of the built heritage of the local area, and is a feature of some picturesque qualities in the scenic landscape.