Morley Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A three-span bridge carrying Riverside over the Doagh River, built c.1700, located to the north-west of the village. The bridge is constructed of random rubble basalt. It has no parapet and the cobbled surface is overgrown with grass. The bridge is in poor repair where cutwaters and facing have fallen away, and the carriageway has begun to deteriorate.

The north elevation has three segmental-headed rubble arches with regular rubble voussoirs. Each arch springs from basalt piers with V-shaped cutwaters. Arch soffits are of random rubble. The cutwater to the west remains, although only the base is intact. To the east, the cutwater has fallen away.

The south elevation is as north. The arch to the east remains intact with voussoirs retained. Those arches to the west have partly fallen away, revealing the rubble construction behind. The remains of the cutwater to the east are still evident.

The bridge is set to the north of Doagh, on an old road into the village. There is modern block-work walling to the east of the bridge marking the boundary to a dwelling, with gardens beyond. There is a larger more recent bridge along the river to the south, which carries the Burn Road over the river.

Roof N/A
Walling Random rubble basalt
Windows N/A
Rainwater goods N/A

Historical information

Architecturally, the bridge appears to date to c. 1700. The bridge appears on the first Edition OS Map of the area, dated 1833.

References

Primary Sources

1. PRONI VAL/1/A/1/51 -Townland Valuation Map (1836)
2. PRONI OS/1/6/1/51/1 -First Edition OS Map (1833)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Three span eighteenth century stone footbridge, providing access to the village of Doagh from the hamlet of Hunterstown. The bridge is in poor condition and has deteriorated significantly but is not without its charms. The detailing, where still evident, is fair, including granite voussoirs and cutwaters. The bridge is located on a secluded path to the west of the village, over the picturesque Doagh River. However, it is an insignificant structure and does not retain enough original fabric to be worthy of listing.