Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

This slightly skewed masonry arch bridge carries the Ravernet Road over the river of the same name.
It is of random rubble construction throughout with embellishments in granite. The latter takes the form of rock-faced and margined granite blocks to the abutment quoins, segmental arch voussoirs and parapet ends. There is also a plain granite platband through the arch at spring level. The parapet is coped with chamfered granite blocks (dislodged at the S end of the W parapet).
The deck carries a 1½ lane road over the river. The bed of the river under the arch is pitched with stones to prevent undercutting of the abutments.

A pipe is carried across the upstream (E) face on steel brackets bolted to the face of the bridge. At the NE end of the bridge, concrete steps lead down to the right bank to facilitate access to a water gauging station a short distance upstream.

Historical information

This bridge and the road on which it is situated are first shown on the OS six-inch map of 1858. As they are not on the 1833 edition, nor mentioned in the 1837 Ordnance Survey Memoir, they must therefore have been erected in the intervening period (probably the 1840s). The bridge is shown on all subsequent map editions.
The river is shown as having a meandering course on the 1833 map, whereas it is straight by 1857. Its realignment is doubtless contemporary with the bridge’s construction.

References – Primary sources:
1. PRONI OS/6/3/14/1. First edition OS six-inch map, Co Down sheet 14 (1833).
2. OS Memoir for Blaris Parish. Reprinted as Day, A. & McWilliams, P. (eds) Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland: Parishes of County Down III, 1833-38, Mid-Down (Belfast: Institute of Irish Studies, 1992).
3. PRONI OS/6/3/14/2. Second edition OS six-inch map, Co Down sheet 14 (1858).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A small slightly skewed mid-19th century arched masonry road bridge with granite dressings, which carries the Ravernet Road over the Ravernet River. Although an interesting local feature, the bridge is not considered of special architectural or historic interest and its character is diminished by a service pipe mounted on the face. It therefore does not meet the criteria for listing.