Survey Data
Reg No
40910333
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Technical
Original Use
Bridge
Date
1900 - 1910
Coordinates
190753, 370190
Date Recorded
16/12/2011
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Single-arch former railway bridge, built c. 1905, carrying former Donegal Town to Ballyshannon narrow gauge railway line over small unnamed stream/tributary of the Ballintra River. Railway lines now out of use with tracks removed (c. 1960). Squared rock-faced stone construction to spandrels and to parapets with rock-faced coping over parapets; rock-faced buttresses to north and south elevations flanking arch. Segmental-headed arch with mildly rock-faced voussoirs to arch and squared coursed masonry to arch barrel. Deck/former railway line now covered in vegetation. Located a short distance to the south of the site of the former Ballintra Railway Station, and to the south-west of Ballintra.
Appraisal
This small-scale former railway bridge/culvert retains its original form and character despite the closure of the line in 1960. It is well-built using good quality rock-faced sandstone masonry, and it illustrates the attention to detail afforded even the most modest of structures by the railway companies at the time of construction. The good-quality mildly rock-faced masonry (local sandstone) used in its construction is typical of late-Victorian and Edwardian railway engineering and architecture in Ireland. It survives in relatively good condition, which is testament to the quality of its original construction. It was originally built by the Donegal Railway Company as part of the Donegal Town to Ballyshannon narrow gauge railway line, which opened in September 1905 and closed completely on January 1st 1960. This railway bridge forms part of a group of structures associated with this former narrow gauge railway line in the Ballintra/Rossnowlagh area and is a modest element of the built heritage and transport history of County Donegal. Sited a short distance to the south of the site of Ballintra Railway Station.