Bridge

The National Monuments Service's description

The 1641 Survey of Mullingar recorded the existence of ‘one mill (WM019-089038-) commonly called Mullynnehouny, lying and being from the bridge on the north, Hamons land on the east, Priorstreet (Austin Friars St.) on the South, to the town of Mullingar (WM089-019----) aforesaid on the west’ (Andrews and Davies 1992, 15). This reference places the bridge at the W end of Main Street [Pearse St.] where the River Brosna crosses the main Dublin-Athlone road running through the centre of Mullingar town. According to the Urban Survey of Westmeath (Bradley et. al. 1985, 116) ‘the importance of Mullingar (WM019-089----) as a fording point (WM019-089014-) has already been noted and there can be little doubt that this was a factor in the development of the town. The date of the construction of the first bridge is unknown but in 1569 'the bridge of Mullingar', is referred to as being near the churchyard (WM019-089017-) (11 Rep Deputy Keeper Public Records Ireland, 219).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 1 July 2014

References

Andrews, J.H. and Davies, K.M. 1992 Mullingar. Irish Historic Towns Atlas, No. 5. Dublin. Royal Irish Academy.

Bradley, J., Halpin, A., and King, H. 1985 Urban archaeological survey - county Westmeath. Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.