Historic Buildings Record · Northern Ireland
Park Bridge
Altinure Lower, Derry City and Strabane, Northern Ireland
The record
- Designation
- Record only (not listed)
- Grade
- Record Only
- Type
- Bridge
- Date of construction
- 1780 - 1799
- Address
- Park Bridge, Altinure Lower, Park, Co Londonderry
- Townland
- Altinure Lower
- Council
- Derry City and Strabane
- Country
- Northern Ireland
- Coordinates
- 54.86491, -7.07996
- Date of survey
- 21 August 1997
- HB reference
- HB01/01/029
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 4 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1753 "Mappa geographica Regni Hiberniae" (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
The Department's description
Exterior description and setting
A graceful single span stone bridge which spans the Faughan at Park. Construction corbels at springing of arch as noted on bridge at head of Tamnagh Road. Long thin whinstone voussoirs. Semicircular stone flankers to each corner of arch set back three metres approximately from springing. Evidence that bridge was originally hump backed as parapet has been raised. Scant evidence of original cobbled riverbed.
Historical information
Indicated on 1831 Ordnance Survey Map. Described by the Ordnance Survey Memoirs as ‘It consists of a single arch, well built, and 21 feet broad’(OSM). The stone construction corbels seem to occur commonly on pre-1800 bridges. The village was a staging stop on the road from Claudy to Dungiven from an early date, but it is likely that the bridge is not earlier than 1750. A cobbled bed under was badly damaged in a great flood in 1970.
References:
Primary Sources:
1. OS Map 1st Edition 1831 Co Londonderry 22
2. 'Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland Vol.28. Parishes of County Londonderry IX', ed Angelique Day & Patrick McWilliams (QUB, 1995) p4, p9
Secondary Sources:
Olly McGilloway 'Along the Faughan Side' (1986) p.11 p.15
Criteria for listing: architectural interest
Not listed
Criteria for listing: historic interest
Not listed
Evaluation
A graceful bridge enhanced by the four flanking piers, which forms a fine entrance threshold to Park Village. It is the setting for a fine view of Park Mill (HB01/01/014B). It is broad and long and gives an impression of grandeur. It has a span usually associated with two arches in bridges of its age. The bridge adds to the architectural quality of Park Village
Nearby in the register
- Lynch’s Public HousePublic Houseunder 1 mi
- 210 Learmount RoadHouseunder 1 mi
- Park Flax mill,Millunder 1 mi
- Park Corn Mill and KilnFarm Buildingsunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.