Bridge

The National Monuments Service's description

Thirteenth century bridge within Abbeyleix Demesne known as the Monks Bridge or the Wooden Bridge in existence as early as the thirteenth century of which one arch still survives (Simington and O'Keefe 1991, 123-4). Spanning the River Nore. An eighth-arch bridge with a larger central navigation arch and pier, triangular hammer-dressed ashlar-coursed cutwaters on the upriver side, and a carriageway flanked by stone parapet walls. The first arch and pier from left hand bank downriver are part of original bridge and date to the thirteenth century. The arch is of rubble stone partly corbelled with two heart shaped keystones seperated by an inverted third; similar masonry visible in adjoining pier and cutwater. Most of the other arches, piers and cutwaters were rebuilt between 1670 and 1800. Also known as the Monks Bridge in association with the nearby site of the Cistercian Abbey (LA029-013001-) (O'Keeffe and Simington 1991, 122-4).
The arches and cutwaters of this bridge have been rebuilt as can be seen from the dressed stone on the cutwaters which are of eighteenth or nineteenth century in date. Very little if anything of the thriteenth century bridge survives in the upstanding structure.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 17 December 2007

References

Simington, T. and O'Keeffe, P. 1991 Irish stone bridges: history and heritage. Dublin. Irish Academic Press.