Errigal Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

This three-arched early nineteenth-century masonry bridge carrying a minor road over the Agivey River and of random rubble basalt throughout. There are angled cut-waters on the up- and downstream ends of the piers, rising to arch spring level. The cutwaters on the pier nearest the left bank continue upwards to form square-cut shallow pedestrian refuges at parapet level. At road level, these refuges are infilled with stone to form seats. The bases of the abutments, piers and cutwaters have been underpinned with concrete.
The three arches are of segmental profile and of approximately equal size. The spandrels have been heavily repointed and two metal tie bars have been inserted just above the voussoirs.
The parapets are coped with roughly dressed copings of slightly lighter coloured stonework. The E end of the S parapet has been repaired with concrete blocks. The wall along the N side of the E approach has also been extensively repaired with concrete. A modern steel name board at the E end of the N parapet gives the name of the bridge and river.
The carriageway rises from W up to the middle of the bridge then continues level.

Setting
The bridge lies in open countryside and is surrounded by fields. Just beyond the NW end of the bridge is a public footpath into Errigal Glen.

Schedule:
Rubble basalt construction

Historical information

An uncaptioned bridge is shown at this location on the 1832 OS six-inch map, but is not mentioned in the 1836 Ordnance Survey Memoir for Errigal Parish. It is cited on the 1853 OS map and subsequent editions as Errigal Bridge.

References - Primary sources:
1. PRONI OS/6/5/26/1, First edition OS six-inch map, Co Londonderry sheet 26 (1832).
2. OS Memoir for Errigal Parish (1836). Reprinted as A. Day & P. McWilliams (eds), Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland: Parishes of County Londonderry VIII, 1830-9, East Londonderry, p.41 (Belfast: Institute of Irish Studies, 1994).
3. PRONI OS/6/5/26/2, Second edition OS six-inch map, Co Londonderry sheet 26 (1853).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
F. Structural System
H-. Alterations detracting from building
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
R. Age
S. Authenticity
T. Historic Importance

Evaluation

A triple-arched masonry road bridge of later 18th or early 19th date over the Agivey River. This early bridge is of special interest due to its good proportions and its relatively rare detail where the cut-waters rise to form pedestrian refuges containing seats. It also has an unspoiled rural setting. The use of concrete to repair the wall and underpin the piers detracts from the bridge's character but not to a significant extent.

General comments

Listing Criteria R - Age; S - Authenticity and T - Historic Importance also apply.