Iron footbridge, over the Six Mile Water, south-east of Muckamore Bridge, adjacent to Seven Mile Straight

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A narrow single span decoratively treated cast iron pedestrian bridge over the Six Mile Water river.

It comprises two segmental arched cast iron girders constructed in sections, with ribs perforated to give a latticed appearance, upper rails embossed with decorative lozenge panels to give a similar appearance, and spandrel panels filled with Gothic arched intersecting tracery; plaque affixed to each arch, inscribed 'H & R Baird, Glasgow 1822'; some remnants of a timber superstructure are still in place but otherwise the carriageway is missing.

The bridge is embraced by a modern latticework supporting structure of plain steel sections which are fixed to it, forming an undercarriage and side railings; ends closed off to prevent access.

SETTING: The bridge stands in a rural area a short distance from the main road, linking the main south bank of the river with an island in the river to the north of it. Grassed areas to both banks, with the main approach through a small area of park-like common land; mature trees and bushes adjacent.

Historical information

Built in 1822 by William Chaine of Ballycraigy House as a private footbridge on his estate; manufacturer, H & R Baird of Glasgow. Noticed in the Ordnance Survey Memoirs in the 1830s as follows: "There are 2 narrow wooden and 1 metal bridge, the property of William Chaine Esquire, across this stream [the Six Mile Water]. They can be crossed by a horse or pedestrians, but are not public thoroughfares."

This is a comparatively early example of an iron bridge. The first example of the type was the now world-famous Iron Bridge at Coalbrookdale designed by Thomas Pritchard with Abraham Darby in 1779. The first in Ireland was the Liffey Bridge (otherwise known as the Metal Bridge, the Halfpenny Bridge, or the Wellington Bridge) in Dublin reputedly by John Windsor, a foreman of Abraham Darby, in 1816, followed by Barrington Bridge in Co Limerick by J. Doyle in 1818. This one at Muckamore may well be the third earliest in the whole of Ireland and appears to be the earliest in Northern Ireland.
Visually it may be compared with some of those by the famous Scottish-born engineer Thomas Telford (1757-1834). At Bonar Bridge in Scotland, in 1811-12 (destroyed 1892) he achieved the definitive form for the cast iron arched bridge with ribs lightened by perforations to give a latticed appearance, combined with lateral bracing, and lozenge-framed spandrels. The same moulds were used for the castings of Telford's Craigellachie Bridge in Scotland, completed in 1815; rebuilt in welded steelwork above the level of the arch ribs in 1963. The bridge at Muckamore, although on a much smaller scale, is of somewhat similar appearance, visually, but with Gothic style intersecting tracery to the spandrels rather than lozenges.

The bridge is not recorded in the Industrial Heritage Record.

References – Primary Sources
1. Inscription panels on bridge.
2. OS Map 1832, Co Antrim 50 (shows a small bridge here).
3. OS Map 1857, Co Antrim 50 (marked 'Iron Foot Bridge').
4. OS Map 1962-3, Co Antrim 50 (bridge not shown).
5. Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland, Vol 35: Parishes of County Antrim XIII, 1833, 1835, 1838 (Belfast, 1996), p 64.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
F. Structural System
G. Innovatory Qualities
H-. Alterations detracting from building
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

W. Northern Ireland/International Interest
Z. Rarity
V. Authorship

Evaluation

This is an early 19th century iron bridge of graceful form and distinct proportions, which has been constructed of ornamentally treated cast iron arch girders. Although it has lost some of its original features and the later supporting framework around it further detracts from its original appearance, it retains its most important elements and enjoys a pleasant setting.
It is of national interest as it appears to be the only example in Northern Ireland, but, as it also appears to be the third earliest of its type and period in the whole of Ireland.