Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Two horizontal skew spans carry the road over a small stream discharging into Mill Bay. Flat granite heads and random rubble abutments and central pier. The flat granite heads which form the spans have wide wedge marks, as opposed to plug-and-feather. Each span is 1.1m across by 0.9m high.

The west-facing (downstream) road parapet is set back 2.7m from the line of the bridge. It is of random rubble and continues north to from a coastal defence wall.

The east side of the bridge has been extended to east with three concrete pipes. The east parapet is of coursed and squared granite and is of more recent date.

Historical information

Wedge marks on lintels suggest a construction date prior to later 19th century, when plug-and-feather splitting technique introduced. A bridge is shown here on the 1834 OS 6” map; it is probably the present structure.

Primary Source:
1.OS 6" map, 1st edition (1834) Co Down sheet 55 (PRONI OS/6/3/55/1)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Primarily of technical interest and an interesting contrast to the more usual arch bridge. Although culverts of this type of construction are relatively common, double span lintelled bridges of this width are comparatively scarce.