Bridge

The National Monuments Service's description

Aligned E-W over a largely dried up river or mill race (Simington and O'Keeffe 1991, 140) which is now a marshy river bed, the bridge leads directly to the 13th-century gatehouse (TS068-013003-) of Athassel Abbey (TS068-013----) to the E. The bridge (dims. L 25.17m; Wth 3.57m), which has a flat surface, is composed of limestone rubble, roughly coursed and has with no parapet. It comprises four segmental-headed spans, with roughly cut voussoirs, placed on edge and plank centring under the arches. At the W end of the bridge it curves off to N and S. It appears to be of single phase construction, all the arches are of equal size (Wth 2.96m; H 1.8m). Some alteration at W span at NW angle, this may have taken place in the late 19th century when according to White (1892, 22) 'the bridge was broken, so that in winter the visitors had to be up to the ankles in a swamp when attempting to pass to the buildings. I am happy to say that the bridge is being fully repaired'. It is likely that the bridge is contemporary with the gatehouse which provides a date in the first half of the 13th century.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 26 August 2011

References

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