Railway Bridge over lane

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

This bridge carries the embanked double track Belfast-Dublin railway over a single-lane farm accommodation track off the Low Road.

It comprises a single segmental span of random granodiorite rubble throughout. It is embellished with squared abutments, roughly dressed voussoirs, a finely dressed and chamfered string course through the arch at spring level and a similarly detailed cornice just above the crown (there were no parapets originally). The voussoirs have prominent triangular spring stones. Splayed wing walls to the west side have random rubble copings.

A concrete blockwork parapet has been added in the recent past.

The laneway makes a dogleg approach to the bridge.

Historical information

Erected about 1850 by the Dublin & Belfast Junction Railway Co to designs by its chief engineer Sir John Macneill; its construction was undertaken by William Dargan. This section of line, from Killeen to Dundalk, was opened in 1850. With the completion of the Craigmore Viaduct in 1852, the entire line between Belfast and Dublin became fully operational.

Secondary Source:
1. W.A. McCutcheon, 'Industrial Archaeology of Northern Ireland' (Belfast 1980).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

This bridge has historical associations with Sir John Macneill and William Dargan ('father' of Irish railways). However, its small scale and modern alterations do not make it sufficiently special to merit listing.