Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

This bridge (no.170) carries a single-lane field accommodation track over the double track Belfast-Dublin railway, just N of Station Road.

It comprises a single semi-elliptical span of coarsely dressed granodiorite blocks throughout, all irregularly laid. It is embellished with tooled edges to the abutments, rusticated voussoirs, a finely-dressed and chamfered stringcourse through the arch at spring level and just above the crown, and a similarly detailed slightly advanced parapet coping. The parapets rise up from W-E in five steps; the stringcourse below also steps up in a similar fashion. Both parapets curve out at each end to pyramidal-capped out-projecting terminal piers. There are shallow buttresses to either side of the arch (with tooled edges).

Historical information

Erected in 1851 by the Dublin & Belfast Junction Railway Co. to designs by its chief engineer Sir John Macneill; its construction was undertaken by William Dargan. With the completion of the Craigmore Viaduct in 1852, the 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 survives in good condition and is of some interest on account of its design and distinctive parapet. It has historical associations with Sir John Macneill and William Dargan (‘father’ of Irish railways). It is similar in style to other rail-related bridges hereabouts, particularly that on the Barracraic Road (HB16/13/013) just S of Newry.