Deerpark Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A six-arched stone bridge carrying an estate road over the Six Mile Water. It runs approximately north-east to south-west. Segmental arches of rough stone voussoirs to both faces; salient angle piers to both faces which rise in two instances to form projecting refuges at parapet level on both faces; parapets slightly projecting. Soffits of vaults are of random rubble. Carriageway humped, of tarmac and compacted gravel.
Parapets extend to angled approach walls; the southern approach wall on north-east side is supported by three buttresses and terminates in a low segmental arched recess.

SETTING: The bridge stands within the former demesne of Antrim Castle, linking the Castle Gardens to the north-east with the former deerpark to the south-west; this area of former deerpark now occupied by sports pitches. Grassy banks to each side of bridge with mature trees around. At the south-west end the carriageway is closed by a gateway comprised of a pair of square ashlar stone piers with moulded plinths, fluted frieze, moulded cornice, and plain blocking course, but both piers damaged with upper portions lying broken. Piers mounted with a pair of original iron vehicular gates, with spear-head railings, flanked by smaller pedestrian gates of similar design.

Historical information

Precise date of building not recorded but it appears on the OS map of 1832. Built by one of the Viscounts Massereene as a private bridge within the Antrim Castle demesne to provide access between the castle gardens and the parkland lying to the west. On the basis of its similarity to Massereene Bridge, a short distance up-river, which was built in 1708, it may be supposed to date from the early 18th century. In the 1830s it was described as "an old, but strong bridge".

References – Primary Sources
1. OS Map 1832, Co Antrim 50.

Secondary Sources
1. Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland, Vol 29: Parishes of County Antrim XI, 1832-3, 1835-9 (Belfast, 1995), pp 12, 49.
2. UAHS, Antrim and Ballymena (Belfast, 1969), p 8.
3. W.A. McCutcheon, The Industrial Archaeology of Northern Ireland (Belfast, 1980), p 31.
4. J. Hanna, Old Antrim (Catrine, Ayrshire, 2002), p 30.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

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

Criteria for listing: historic interest

V. Authorship
Z. Rarity
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

This is a rubble stone bridge of probably early 18th century date which retains its original features including projecting pedestrian refuges on both sides. It forms an integral part of an important country house demesne and constitutes an attractive and picturesque element in a largely unspoiled setting.