Ballykelly Road Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

The O S memoirs describes the bridge, ‘‘The Bridge on the mail coach road at Ballykelly consists of 3 arches, the centre one having a span of 18 feet, the other 2 each of 17 feet. The breadth of the roadway on the bridge is 32 feet and the length of the curtain wall 240, and the height and thickness 4 feet and 1 and a half feet respectively. The bed of the river below the bridge is paved.’

The arches are part semicircular built of long thin whinstones springing from bases now protected by concrete. Both upstream and downstream the springings are protected by stone breakwaters. The walls of the bridge are built of rubble whinstone and the parapets likewise in thin whinstone laid, vertically with a slight cant. The bed of the stream under the arches and a little upstream and downstream is layered with concrete. On the west side the parapet wall continues with a slight curve as far as Bridge House. This wall should be regarded as part of the bridge structure. When the Cochranes occupied Bridge House the area below this wall was laid out in gardens.

Historical information

Built c 1800

Reference:

O S Memoirs of Ireland Vol 25

IHR Ref: 1440

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
F. Structural System
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

V. Authorship
W. Northern Ireland/International Interest
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A fine late 18th century road bridge across the Ballykelly River at the entrance to Ballykelly village from the west. A three arch structure with long parapet walls, all of stone. Predates much of the early 19th century rebuilding of the village by the Fishmonger’s Company. Has local historical and social interest.