Sistrakeel Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Sited at the eastern end of Tirmacoy Road where there are bends and dips. The road crosses over the Ballykelly River, at a pleasant narrow glen with trees and scrub.

A single segmental arch bridge spanning approximately five metres with road width of six metres. The walls of the arch rise vertically from footings from the riverbed to a height of 1.8 metres from which the segmental arch springs. The arch has bold rock faced voissoirs all of even width and height. On either side of the arch, both upstream and downstream, bold piers which rise above parapet level and are finished with heavy shallow pyramidal piers. Between the piers and a little above the arch voissoirs is a plain string course which encompasses them. The structure is built of random rubble iron stained schist with sandstone coping to the low parapet wall. This extends on each side beyond the piers 5/6 metres and return at right angles a distance of 1.5 metres. It is built of rock faced sandstone. A datestone set in recessed moulded rectangular panel records:
County Londonderry
Sistrakeel Bridge
built 1909

Historical information

Present Sistrakeel Bridge replaced a former which is described in the Ordnance Survey Memoirs “this bridge has 1 arch 15 feet wide. The wall is 20 yards long, 2 and a half feet high and 18 inches thick. The bridge is 21 feet broad on top, built of freestone at the expense of the county and in good repair.” The present bridge was erected when the County Council was formed under the Local Government Act of 1898 and had responsibility for main roads.

References:

Ordnance Survey Memoirs Vol 25
S P Mitchell, The land of the Roe
Industrial Heritage Record Ref: 1665

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A confidently designed stone bridge of early 20th century replacing an earlier Georgian period structure, spanning the Ballykelly River where it passes through a narrow leafy glen. Of sturdy proportions with some sophisticated stonework. Has not been altered since 1909 and is reasonably well maintained. It makes a good contribution to the roadscape where it passes from one side of the glen to the other. No alterations. However its recent date and absence of innovative structural or other features makes it unsuitable for listing.