Artikelly Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Two arch basalt stone humpback bridge spanning the Curly River at Artikelly. Carriageway width: 5½ metres between parapets. Approximate 5½ metre span to the segmental arches, which spring from a plinth course one metre approximately above the concrete bed. The plinth sits out 150mm from the springing and would have supported construction formwork. There is a cutwater on the central pier both upstream and downstream and on each side two drain holes from the carriageway through the parapet. Vousoirs are uncut rubble stone. Parapet 800mm high on average.A laminated timber pedestrian bridge with steel walkway and balustrade is fixed to the downstream side of the bridge. Basalt clad retaining walls support the springing on each bank.

Historical information

Recorded in the Ordnance Survey Memoirs as ‘A bridge situated on the old road to Coleraine, passing over the Curly river at Streeve, has two arches 18 feet in the span; the road way is 18 feet broad.’ That no date of construction is given is a good indication that it was not erected close to the time of the Memoirs and that it is probably pre 1790.

The bridge appears to align exactly with Streeve House on the hill to the south east which was constructed circa 1735. While there may be no connection, the fondness of classical architects for vistas and symmetry suggests a possible link and thus an earlier date for the bridge. The footbridge is recorded in the 1970 listing survey.

References:

Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland Vol. 11

Historic Buildings Records.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A late 18th century random rubble stone two arch bridge in a humped rustic style prominantly sited on a bend of the road over the Curly River.