Bannfield Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

This skew triple-arch masonry bridge carries a minor road over the River Bann. Constructed of granite throughout, its abutments and piers are of roughly-dressed blocks. The abutments’ quoins are rusticated and margined, but the piers continue up and downstream as angled cutwaters rising to arch spring level and finished with domed caps. Three equi-sized segmental arches with finely dressed voussoirs; soffits of roughly-squared blocks laid on skew. Spandrels and parapets of random rubble. The latter are coped with rusticated and margined blocks. No terminal piers. Random rubble walls retain the banks for a short distance beyond each end of the bridge.

Setting

Farmyard a short distance NW but otherwise fields all around.

Historical information

This bridge dates from the later 1800s. The 1833 OS six-inch map cites ‘Bannfield Steps’ at this location, and the 1859 edition notes 'Bannfield Wooden Foot Bridge’. The present bridge first appears on the 1902 map (‘Bannfield Bridge’) and subsequent editions. It was undoubtedly erected by the County Down Grand Jury under the presentment system, but when exactly between 1859 and 1902 it replaced the wooden footbridge is uncertain.

References

Primary sources
1. PRONI OS/6/3/42/1. First edition OS six-inch map, Co Down sheet 42 (1833).
2. PRONI OS/6/3/42/2. Second edition OS six-inch map, Co Down sheet 42 (1859).
3. PRONI OS/6/3/42/3. Third edition OS six-inch map, Co Down sheet 42 (1902).

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 skew triple-span granite road bridge of later 19th century date over the River Bann. The quality of the stonework and proportions of the arches are typical of the later 19th century. Of particular interest is the fact that the arches' soffit stones are clearly laid to the skew in order to maintain the stability of the voussoirs; such an arrangement would probably have been unnecessary had the soffits stones been smaller and undressed. Although its precise date of construction is uncertain, the bridge is of historical interest; it is the third crossing at this point on the Bann, having been preceded by a timber footbridge and stepping stones before that. It is s good example of the type and represents the development of infrastructure in the district.