Trassey Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Single arched bridge of probable pre 1834 construction, which carries the Trassey Road over the Trassey River. The bridge is located 4 miles W of Newcastle, to the E of the Trassey valley.

The bridge is rubble-built with rough voussoirs to the semicircular arch. The arch rises off a rock outcrop. The parapets are relatively low and have flat stone coping (mainly granite). Both faces of the bridge are largely covered in ivy growth. Tie rods have been inserted into the bridge. The road is covered in Tarmac with grass covered verges.

Historical information

A bridge is shown on this site on the OS maps of 1834 and 1859, and marked ‘Trassey Bridge’ on the latter. The semicircular arch suggests that the structure is largely of pre 1834 construction.

References- primary sources
1 PRONI OS/1/3/49 OS maps 1st ed. 1834, Co Down sheets 49
2 PRONI OS/6/3/49/3 OS maps 1st rev.1859, Co Down sheet 49

Secondary sources
1 Peter O’Keefe and Tom Simington, ‘Irish Stone bridges’ (Irish Academic Press 1991)]

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Single arched, rubble-built bridge of probable pre 1834 construction, carrying the Trassey Road over the Trassey River.