Plumb Bridge over the Glenelly River,

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A single-span road bridge, built c.1790, carrying Culvacullion Road over Glenelly River. Random rubble parapets and spandrels with cast-iron wall-ties; splayed roughcast abutments; plain string-course to carriageway level; rubble coping to parapet. Single segmental-headed arch with rubble voussoirs. Arch soffit is cement rendered.

The carriageway is approximately 6m wide. Parapet wall continues beyond bridge at north and south to form boundary wall between street level and river bank; access to the river at south through pair of square roughcast piers is now blocked with steel railing.

The bridge is located at the centre of the village of Plumbridge where the Culvacullion Road meets Main Street; park to north-west provides access to the riverside.

Roof N/A
Walling Random rubble
Windows N/A
Rainwater goods N/A

Historical information

The bridge is shown on the first edition OS map of 1833 captioned ‘Plumb Bridge’.

Stylistically it appears to date from the late eighteenth century, showing some level of ornamentation through coping, voussoirs and wall-ties, despite its simple rubble construction.

There is a local legend adhering to the name of the bridge and town. “It is said that the village got its name from a man called Devine who was employed to build a bridge over the river. According to tradition he had no spirit level, so he spat into the river and used his spittle as a means of getting the vertical line of the bridge straight.” (“The Sperrins,” p.37)

References:

Primary Sources

1.PRONI OS/6/6/11/1-First Edition OS Map (1833)
2.NI Environment Agency McC A6/143 – McCutcheon Collection (undated, c.1965)

Secondary Sources

1. “The Sperrins: A Hidden Beauty.” Omagh: Tyrone Constitution, undated.

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

Evaluation

A single-span bridge, built c.1790, carrying Culvacullion Road over Glenelly River. This attractive bridge, built of rubble stone, is well constructed and detailed. Interest is added by string course and wall-ties. The bridge has a charming location in the centre of the village, to the east of parkland, and contributes positively to Plumbridge, evidently named after the structure.