Bonamargy Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

3 arch stone bridge over the Margy River.

A pinkish sandstone built bridge with 3 segmental arches, each spanning approximately 9 metres, springing from vertical masonry supports with semi-circular breakwaters up and downstream. The arch vaults of the bridge are on a slight skew. A broad stringcourse traverses the springing line and round the breakwater which are topped with a half truncated cone with capping piece. Arches have well shaped and formed voissoirs and walls built in ashlar work in large stones. A plain weathered stringcourse undercut with bold cavetto traverses the bridge walls above the voissoirs and the parapet wall some 47 metres long on upstream side and 10 metres longer on downstream side.

The abutments of the bridge are terminated with double unbattered buttresses widely spaced. The bridge has a carriageway of 7 metres with single footpath on the downstream side.

Historical information

Probably built mid 19th cent. replacing a 5 arch bridge of 1719 which at the time of the O.S. Memoir writing was reported in very good order. That bridge had prominent triangular breakwaters with refuges for pedestrians on the bridge was most likely just wide enough to take a carriage. It was washed away in c 1857. Present bridge probably built c1860. IHR No. 3835

References

Primary Sources
1. O.S. Map 1832 Antrim sh. 9.
2. O.S. Memoirs of Ireland, Parishes of Antrim IX 1830-2, 1835, 1838-9
Ed Angelique Day, Patrick McWilliams and Noirin Dobson p. 97.

Secondary Sources
1. UAHS, Glen of Antrim p. 55.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

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

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A robust and handsome mid 19th cent. bridge in neo-classical style. It is interesting to note the arch vaulting built in a slight skew fashion.