Bridge

The National Monuments Service's description

National Monument No. 612. Garfinny bridge/Seana-Droichead na Gairfeanaighe: This drystone, single-arched bridge, built of local stone, spans the Garfinny river a short distance below the modern bridge serving the old highway between Dingle and Lispole. Its age is uncertain but it is reputed to be medieval. It is soundly constructed and very simple in design. On either side of the river, foundation bases were constructed and built up with very large stones. Set back on these bases, other large stones were placed in such a way as to counteract the outward thrust of the arch above. The bridge is gently curving on plan and its simple arch is slightly pointed. The narrow, hump-backed carriageway, 1.65m wide, would have allowed vehicular access in only one direction at a time. There are parapets on either side and these were probably very low so as to make maximum use of the narrow carriageway. The tops of the central voussoirs of the arch form the actual pavement at the crown; elsewhere the surface is made up of large smooth stones with rounded edges, with areas of small rounded cobbles. This bridge is now a National Monument and repair and conservation works have recently been completed. The above description is based, for the most part, on information provided by G. Rourke (OPW).

The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 1525. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 5 August 2013