Historic Buildings Record · Northern Ireland
Bridge over Shankys River
Leitrim, Newry, Mourne and Down, Northern Ireland
The record
- Designation
- Record only (not listed)
- Grade
- Record Only
- Type
- Bridge
- Date of construction
- 1920 - 1939
- Address
- Bridge over Shankys River, near Leitrim Rd, Hilltown, Newry, Co Down, BT34 5XS
- Townland
- Leitrim
- Council
- Newry, Mourne and Down
- Country
- Northern Ireland
- Coordinates
- 54.16400, -6.12515
- Date of survey
- 11 February 1999
- HB reference
- HB16/07/054
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 4 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1900 "Ireland" (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
The Department's description
Exterior description and setting
Triple span bridge carries mountain track over Shankys River, a tributary of the Rocky River. Abutments and piers of roughly squared granite blocks, all skew set to the track above. The actual spans consist of granite lintels; that at upstream left exhibits plug and feature marks. The spans on the upstream side measure from left to right: 85cm, 95cm, 100cm. The width of the track is 3.05m. The bed of the stream is lined with boulders, with a low fall on the downstream side. There is a small flood culvert on the left bank; the lintel on its downstream face has been replaced with one of pre-cast reinforced concrete.
Historical information
The 1859, 1902 and 1919 OS 6" maps all note a ford and stepping stones at this location; the track ascends to Castle Bog (peat extraction). The bridge is evidently of later date.
Primary sources:
1. 2nd edition OS 6” map, Down sheet 52 (1859).
2. 3rd edition OS 6” map, Down sheet 52 (1902).
3. 4th edition OS 6” map, Down sheet 52 (1919).
Criteria for listing: architectural interest
Not listed
Criteria for listing: historic interest
Not listed
Evaluation
Of some interest because of its lintel construction - unusual, but entirely appropriate for its situation and purpose. The short spans reflect the limitations of spanning gaps in this way.
Nearby in the register
- Leitrim LodgeHouseunder 1 mi
- Kennels at Leitrim LodgeKennelsunder 1 mi
- Reservoir off Sandbank RdWater Works Structuresunder 1 mi
- Former Mass RockMass Rockunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.