Moneycarrie Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A three-arch masonry bridge carries a minor road over the Agivey River. The abutments and piers are of squared and rock-faced rubble basalt brought to courses and underpinned with concrete. The spandrels and parapets are of quarried random rubble basalt, also brought to courses.

There are pointed/curved cutwaters rising to arch spring level at both ends of the piers, all with dressed sandstone caps which continue as string courses though the arches. Similarly detailed string courses run along the tops of the abutments and wrap around their margined ends. Shallow pilasters rise to the tops of the parapets from the tops of the piers.
The bridge’s three equi-sized arches have segmental profiles and sandstone voussoirs. There are two metal tie bars through the extrados of each arch.

A dressed sandstone string course runs at crown level along the base of the parapets. The latter are coped with projecting chamfered sandstone blocks and are slightly raised above the pier pilasters. Their terminal piers are similarly raised and project outwards in line with the pier pilasters. There is an indecipherable sandstone plaque in the middle of the road face of the upstream (SW) parapet. Metal bridge name plates have been affixed to the downstream east and upstream west ends of the parapets. The deck carries a 1½ lane road.

Setting
Rural context with fields to both ends of the bridge.

Historical information

A small bridge is shown upstream from Moneycarrie Bridge on the 1832 ad 1848-53 OS maps. It is not until the 1904 edition that Moneycarrie Bridge is shown and captioned, having replaced the previous bridge. It is therefore of later 19th C date and was undoubtedly erected by the Co Londonderry Grand Jury.

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/10/5/18/8/1. First edition OS 25-inch map, Co Londonderry sheet 18-08 (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

Moneycarrie Bridge is a triple-arched masonry road bridge of later 19th century date over the Agivey River. It is primarily of architectural interest. Its style, proportion and embellishment are of a high standard. It is enhanced by an unspoiled rural setting.

General comments

Listing Criteria R - Age and S - Authenticity also apply.