Ballybritain Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A twin-arched masonry bridge carries a minor road over the Aghadowey River. It is of squared random rubble basalt construction throughout, coursed to spandrels and abutments.

There is a rounded cutwater to each end of the pier, rising to arch spring level. Both have dressed sandstone caps which continue through the arches as string courses. There are identical string courses along the tops of the abutments, wrapping around their margined ends.

The two equi-sized spans are of segmental profile and have rusticated sandstone voussoirs. A dressed sandstone string course runs across each face at arch crown level.

The parapets are coped with chamfered sandstone blocks which oversail the outside faces of the parapets. The parapets terminate in out-projecting piers. The inside faces of the parapets are ribbon pointed. There are metal name plates at the NW and SE ends of the bridge.

The deck carries 1½ lanes of traffic. Timber stiles at the south end of the bridge give access to the upstream and downstream banks.

Setting:
Picturesque rural
setting, thinly wooded embankments and surrounded to all sides by fields.

Historical information

No bridge is shown hereabouts on the 1832 OS map. The 1848-53 edition cites Ballybritain Bridge, but this refers to one downstream. This bridge had been replaced by the present Ballybritain Bridge by the 1904 edition. This indicates a later 19th century construction.

References – Primary sources:
1. PRONI OS/6/5/18/1. First edition OS six-inch map, Co Londonderry sheet 18 (1832).
2. PRONI OS/6/5/18/2. Second edition OS six-inch map, Co Londonderry sheet 18 (1848-53).
3. PRONI OS/10/5/18/4/1. First edition OS 25-inch map, Co Londonderry sheet 18-04 (1904).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
F. Structural System
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
R. Age
S. Authenticity

Evaluation

Ballybritain Bridge is a twin-arched masonry road bridge of later 19th century date over the Aghadowey River. It is primarily of architectural interest, its style, proportion and embellishment being of high quality. It enjoys an unspoiled rural setting.

General comments

Listing Criteria R - Age and S - Authenticity also apply