Ballydonaghy Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

This three-arch masonry bridge carries the Garlandstown Road over the Glenavy River. The left-bank (S) arch is dry in normal circumstances and is used as a cattle run between fields.

The bridge is of random rubble construction throughout. There are angled cutwaters at both ends of its piers, rising to arch spring level; their caps rise to the base of the parapets. The arches are of segmental profile. The middle one is slightly wider and higher than the end ones, giving the deck a slight curvature. The voussoirs are of split stone rubble. The arches and spandrels are inset slightly from the parapet and approach walls.

The parapets are coped with roughly dressed stone blocks. Some of the coping stones at the SW end have been dislodged. The deck carries a two-lane road. A buried pipe is carried across the bridge between the road and downstream parapet.

Historical information

This bridge is cited as Ballydonaghy Bridge on the 1832 OS six-inch map and subsequent editions. It is probably of later 18th or early 19th century date.

References – Primary sources:
1. PRONI OS/6/1/59/1. First edition OS six-inch map, Co Antrim sheet 59 (1832).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
F. Structural System
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

R. Age
S. Authenticity
T. Historic Importance
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A good example of a three-arch bridge of the late 18th century on the Glenavy river. Well built of local rubble stone it features a slight curvature on deck and high angled cutwaters. The segmental arches have split stone rubble voussoirs and are inset slightly from the parapet, a detail common to other bridges in the area. Well preserved and largely unaltered, it retains its unspoilt rural setting and has group value with Knockcairn Bridge (HB19/02/005), which crosses the same river nearby.

General comments

Listing criteria R,S & T also apply.