Lisboy Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A three-span road-over-river bridge, aligned north-south, built c. 1820, carrying Drumeen Road over Camowen River. Roughly coursed squared-and-snecked sandstone walling to abutments, spandrels and parapets; V-cutwaters to both faces (dressed sandstone below cutwaters); string course to carriageway level; soldier coping to parapets; out-splay to parapet ends. Three segmental-headed arches with dressed sandstone voussoirs; arch soffits are cement rendered. The single carriageway is approximately seven metres wide flanked by tarmac pavements.

Setting

The bridge is located on the Drumeen Road in the rural landscape at the north-east side of Edenderry village. Grass embankments to all sides.

Roof N/A
Walling sandstone
Windows N/A
RWG N/A

Historical information

A bridge appears captioned “Lisboy Bridge” on the first three editions of the OS map.

McEvoy, writing in 1802 found that, “Roads and bridges are generally well attended to by the gentlemen of the county, many of whom are excellent judges of such public works and take great pains to have them well executed.” (p.118)

McCutcheon confirms this; “At this time, Tyrone was subscribing more money for roads and bridges than any other northern county. Moreover within the county itself building materials were plentiful – basalt, gravel and lime-stone – and this greatly facilitated road construction at a time when transport costs for such heavy, bulky materials were so high.” (p.41)

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/6/35/1-3 – Ordnance Survey Maps (1833, 1854, 1906)

Secondary Sources

2. McCutcheon, W.A. ‘The Industrial Archaeology of Northern Ireland’, HMSO, 1980
3. McEvoy, J ‘County of Tyrone 1802, A Statistical Suvey by John McEvoy’, Friar’s Bush Press, 19991

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

Evaluation

An attractive and well-constructed three-span road-over-river bridge, built c. 1820, carrying the Drumeen Road over Camowen River. The bridge is located in an rural area to the north-east of the Edenderry village. The bridge is a robust example of early-nineteenth century engineering work; its size and good detailing are of note. Historically, it represents the development of the road network in the county.