Turmeel Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A single arch stone bridge over the River Roe.

A single segmental arch stone bridge having a span of approx. 14 metres, with large cut stone voissoirs of elongated proportions. The soffit of the arch is faced likewise with well cut large ashlar stonework in stretcher bond for almost the entire width. On the upstream side the bridge has been widened by approx. 1500mm. The arch springs from a boldly moulded stringcourse defining the top of the supporting wall, also faced with ashlar stonework of large proportions. The immediate abutments are shaped with a curve upwards to the line of thrust and the masonry over this is of more irregular coursed sandstone. The length of the parapet wall is 35 metres. The parapet, unfortunately has been rebuilt in insitu concrete or concrete blocks rendered with hogsback coping. The bridge crosses the river at right angles but as the road is almost parallel to the river at this point the ends of the abutments or skirting walls curve to give the bridge carriageway a plan form of a flattened S. The width of the carriageway is 8 metres and has a marked hump.

On the upstream side the parapet is partly demolished on the east side. The bridge is in relatively flat landscape but picturesque nevertheless just south of Dungiven on the Magheramore Road. The bridge, unfortunately forms a difficult bend on the road over which there is a considerable traffic flow.

Historical information

Having a segmented arch the bridge probably dates from the 2nd half of the nineteenth century and replaced a previous bridge shown on the 1832 O.S. map. IHR No. 1845

References

Primary Sources
O.S. Memoirs of Ireland Parishes of Co Londonderry IV 1824, 1833-5 p. 11
O.S. Map 1832 Rev. 1856 Londonderry sh. 24

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A fine neo- classical bridge with segmental arch of the 2nd half of the 19th century set in pleasing landscape.