Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Three pairs of shuttered concrete piers aligned down right bank of a tributary of Mullagh River. These formerly supported a metal girder superstructure of which no trace survives Two sets stand c. 2.6m (8ft 6in) high, and taper from c.1.4m x 0.8m (4ft 6in x 2ft 6in) at base to 0.8m (2ft 6in) square at top. The pair nearest the river stand 0.5m (1ft 9in) high. One of a pair also survives on the left bank. Threaded lugs on top. A short length of earthen bank runs off the top set of piers, with the remains of a post and wire fence along one side.

Historical information

This bridge lay on 7.25 km long contractors’ railway between Annalong and Silent Valley, constructed in 1923-24 as a single track line of 4ft 8.5in gauge. Materials, plant and workmen were brought to the valley from Annalong. Sea-borne material, such as cement, was off-loaded at the harbour and transhipped to the railhead at what is now Annalong Primary School. The line was dismantled on completion of the reservoir in 1933.

Secondary Sources:
1. H.E. Campbell, ‘Some constructional methods’ in Proc. Institution of Civil Engineers, N. Ireland Association (Belfast 1937), pp 1-6.
2. W.H. Carson, ‘The dam builders’ (Newcastle 1981).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Little now survives of this line save for the occasional cutting (e.g.. just south of the Silent Valley). Although the piers are of interest in terms of their association with the railway and Silent Valley reservoir, they represent too small a portion of the original bridge to justify listing.

However, the fact that it is the only upstanding structure to survive perhaps justifies its recording.