Ubbernagapple Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A small semi-circular arch stone bridge.

This is a bridge across a small burn with a span of only 1.8 metres. Nevertheless it contributes much to the character of the Glenedra Road. The bridge arch is semi-circular with roughly cut voissoirs. The arch vault passes skew wise across the road and so the parapet walls on each side of the carriageway are not directly opposite each other. The parapet on the upstream side is 12½ metres and on the other side 15 metres long. The parapets are returned at each end to form buttresses, unfortunately the hogsback coping is in insitu concrete. Further the roadway is on an incline and so are the parapets. The walls of the bridge are built of random rubble stonework and on the upstream side,that is to the east, are strengthened by a broad, battered buttress. The soffit of the vault is in random stonework and the bed of the stream layered with stone with drop on downstream side.

The bridge is on a straight uphill section of the Glenedra Road.

Historical information

The bridge could be the original from when the road was constructed in the early 19th cent. However the detail of the returned parapet wall might suggest a later date. It is the same detail as that of Glenedra Bridge (HB02/05/022).
I H R No. 2084

References

Primary Sources
1. O.S. Map 1830 Londonderry sh. 30
2. John McCloskey, Statistical Reports of Six Derry Parishes 1821, p.74
3. O.S. Memoirs of Ireland, Parishes of Co Londonderry X, 1833-34, 1838
Ed by Angelique Day and Patrick McWilliams Q.U.B. p.5, 38, 39

Secondary Sources
1. Mallory & McNeill, The Archaeological of Ulster, p. 184-193

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A small rural bridge in an upland area of the Sperrin mountains. The arch and the vaulting are on a marked skew across the roadway. The low stone bridge makes a good contribution to the moorland landscape.