Semple's Bridge,

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A two-span hump-backed rubble stone bridge, built c.1815, located at the north part of Baronscourt demesne, Newtownstewart.

Random rubble stone abutments, spandrels and parapets, with soldier coursed rubble parapets. Spans are segmental-arched with rubble voussoirs, central pier having shallow cement rendered cutwaters and resting on a central oval island, also appearing to be of rubble stone construction (partially covered in dense vegetation).

Embankments are grassed; the bridge carries a secondary estate road over a wide stream, and is surrounded by woodland.

Material: Random rubble stone

Historical information

The present Semples bridge appears to date from 1817 and is built on the site of earlier wooden bridges. The bridge appears to have undergone repairs carried out by Lynch & Sons in 1998.

‘Semples Br’ is recorded from the 1833 OS map. The first mention of a bridge here is in a letter from Matthew Hood to the Marquis of Abercorn on 6th May 1797 which mentions ‘Semple’s gate and bridge’. In 1802 a letter from Matthew Hood states: ‘The wooden bridge next to William Semple’s had broke down and I have got it effectively repaired.’ In 1817, Sir John James Burgoyne writes to the Marquis of Abercorn stating: ‘Semple’s bridge will be finished in a few days.’

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI D/623/D/1/16/72 – Map of Baronscourt Park (1777)
2. PRONI OS/6/6/17/1 -First Edition OS Map (1833)
3. PRONI OS/6/6/17/2 -Second Edition OS Map (1854)
4. PRONI OS/6/6/17/3 -Third Edition OS Map (1907)
5. PRONI OS/6/6/17/4 -Fourth Edition OS Map (1947)
6. Letter from Matthew Hood to the Marquis of Abercorn dated 6th May 1797 D623/A/116/14
7. Letter from Matthew Hood to the Marquis of Abercorn on 25th October 1802 D623/A/117/73
8. Scott, Robert W. L., Abercorn Estates Agent and Factor. “Letter Concerning`Semple’s Bridge, White Bridge and Black Bridge to David Kirk, Environment and Heritage Service.” 15 January 1998. Collected in Historic Buildings File, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Monuments and Buildings Record.

Secondary Sources

1. Bence-Jones, M. “A Guide to Irish Country Houses.” Second Revised Edition. London: Constable and Robinson, 1990.
2. Day, A. and P. McWilliams, eds. “OS Memoirs of Ireland, Parishes of County Tyrone I, 1821, 1823, 1833-36, Vol. 5.” Belfast: Institute of Irish Studies, 1990.
3. Dean, J. A. K. “The Gate Lodges of Ulster.” Belfast: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1994.
4. Lewis, S. “A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, Vol. I.” London: S. Lewis & Co., 1837.
5. O’Brien, J. and D. Guinness. “Great Irish Houses and Castles.” London: George Weidenfield & Nicolson Ltd., 1992.
6. Rowan, A. “North West Ulster: Londonderry, Donegal, Fermanagh, and Tyrone.” Dublin: Penguin Books, 1979.
7. The Irish Architectural Archive Dublin. [Internet Source]. Available from: (Accessed 22/04/09)
8. Young, R.M. “Belfast and the Province of Ulster in the Twentieth Century.” Brighton” W. T. Pike, 1909

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

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

Criteria for listing: historic interest

V. Authorship
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Semple’s Bridge is an attractive early-nineteenth-century humpbacked rubble stone bridge of two spans, carrying a secondary estate road over a stream on the northern portion of Baronscourt Estate (HB10/04/001A-R). The bridge remains intact and in good condition, and is an example of the estate improvements carried out by the (7th) Earl in the early nineteenth century. Attractively set in wooded surroundings, the bridge is a significant structure in terms of the estate group, and, although slightly compromised by cement repairs, is of intrinsic value in its own right.

General comments

This record has been renumbered as part of a group-previously HB10/04/050F