Dirtagh Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A simple arch rubble stone bridge almost semi-circular spanning the River Lynn a tributary of the Curly River. Span almost five metres with vertical abutments and long thin voissoirs of schist Parapet 900mm high with pigsback concrete coping is painted black and white on each side of carriageway which is just over five metres wide. The parapets of equal length are 19 metres long.

Historical information

This bridge is on the old road from Limavady to Coleraine, known as the Murderhole Road. The bridge is pre 1800 and probably replaced an earlier bridge. The Ordnance Survey Memoir comments “this bridge is on the old leading road from Newtown Limavady to Coleraine called the Long Causway. The above mentioned roads and bridges are made and kept in repair by the expense of the county and are all in good repair”.

Reference:

Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland Vol. 11
Industrial Archaeology Record Ref: 1466

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A good example of a Georgian period bridge built of stone and adds character to the Windyhill Road. However not of sufficient quality to merit listing.