Crown Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

This semicircular bridge carries a one and half lane carriageway over the Clanrye River and its flood plain. It comprises four separate hump-backed single arches across the river's floodplain, these being connected by a long rubble stone walled causeway. Although all the arches are approximately identical in size, only the western-most arch now spans water, the others acting as flood arches. Whereas the latter are of random-rubble construction throughout, the former is of regularly-coursed squared granite. An element of adornment is also evident in its finely dressed granite voussoirs with raised keystones. Its upstream abutment on the left bank is slightly splayed and its parapets are coped with rock-faced granite blocks. All parapets are coped with squared granite blocks.

Historical information

Until the 1810s, when the present main road was constructed, this bridge lay on the main route between Newry and Rathfriland. 'Crown Bridge' is cited on Moll's 1714 map of Ireland and Harris's 1743 map of Co. Down. Three of the arches may date from the 17th century, but the remaining one is probably early 19th century.

Primary sources:
1. Herman Moll, 1714, New Map of Ireland.
2. Walter Harris, 1743, New and Correct Map of Ye County of Down.
3. James Wilson, 1814, A map of the new intended line of road from Newry to Castlewellan in the townland of Carnehaugh (PRONI:
D 671/M9/17).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
D. Plan Form
F. Structural System
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

The style of the three eastern arches would accord with a 17th or early 18th century construction date. However, the regular coursing and dressed voussoirs of the fourth span are indicative of an early 19th century rebuild.

The bridge is of particular interest on three counts. First, the early construction date. Second, the two contrasting styles illustrate the gradual evolution of bridge design between the 1600s and early 1800s. Third, the bridge have a very high landscape value hereabouts.