Roughan Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

This single arch masonry bridge carries a minor road over the River Bann. The abutments are of dressed granite blocks laid to courses. The arch is of segment profile with vee-jointed dressed granite voussoirs; its soffits are also of dressed granite blocks. A dressed granite string course runs across each face at arch crown level. The spandrels and parapets are of random rubble blackstone, brought to courses. The latter are coped with oversailing chamfered granite blocks and terminate in out-projecting three-quarters attached circular piers, also of dressed granite blocks. In the middle of the road face of the downstream (NW) parapet is a dressed granite plaque with ‘1839’ in bass-relief. The left (SW) abutment continues for a short distance up- and downstream as a revetment for the bank.

The right bank is accessible for fishing via metal steps just beyond the NE end of the bridge.

Setting

Rural
setting, agricultural buildings to the northeast.

Historical information

The 1833 OS map captions ‘Roughan Steps’ at this location. The 1836 Ordnance Survey Memoir describes the crossing thus: “At the Roughan Mills in the townland of Tirygory there are stepping stones over the River Bann which, however, are so covered after rain that it was found necessary to establish a ferry. This was done by Mr Clark in 1833. The boat is hauled over by the help of a chain stretched across the river. Fare, a ha’penny for each passenger”.

A datestone on the bridge’s parapet attests to its erection in 1839. It was undoubtedly financed by the County Down Grand Jury. It is captioned as ‘Roughan Bridge’ on the 1859 OS map and subsequent editions.

References

Primary sources
1. PRONI OS/6/3/42/1. First edition OS six-inch map, Co Down sheet 42 (1833).
2. OS Memoir for Drumballyroney Parish (1836). Reprinted as A. Day & P. McWilliams (eds), Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland: Parishes of County Down I, 1834-6, South Down (Belfast: Institute of Irish Studies, 1990).
3. Datestone on bridge.
4. PRONI OS/6/3/42/2. Second edition OS six-inch map, Co Down sheet 42 (1859).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
F. Structural System

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A single-arch masonry road bridge of 1839 over the River Bann. Modest in scale, this structure exhibits a degree of craftsmanship in its use of contrasting materials (granite and blackstone), embellishment (voussoirs, string course, copings and terminal piers) and standard of finish. It is of interest because of its attested date and the history of the crossing.