Sixmilewater Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A two-span nineteenth century road-over-river bridge, built c.1820, carrying Church Road over Sixmilewater River. Roughly coursed basalt rubble with voussoirs to semi-circular arches. Each arch springs from a basalt pier with rubble V-shaped cutwaters, abutments, spandrels and parapet. The parapet walls to the embankment extend approx 200 metres to the west; that on the north east wall cut short and abutted by timber fence; that to the south east cartries on past a new house and stops there. The carriageway is approximately 2.5m wide.

The bridge is set in a rural area to the west of Ballynure. There is a dwelling located immediately to the south-east and an industrial estate to the north-east.

Roof: N/A
Walling: Roughly coursed basalt random rubble with random rubble coping
Windows:N/A
RWG: N/A

Historical information

The first edition OS map of 1832 shows an uncaptioned bridge on the site. The caption ‘Sixmilewater Bridge’appears in the second edition OS map of 1857.

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/1/45/1 - First Edition OS Map (1832)
2. PRONI OS/6/1/45/2 - Second Edition OS Map (1857)
3. PRONI OS/6/1/45/3 - Third Edition OS Map (1902)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
F. Structural System

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

An attractive and well-constructed two-span nineteenth century road bridge, built c.1820 and located to the west of Ballynure. The structure has characteristics that indicate it is of an early date but there is no verifiable record. It was built using traditional construction methods and has well preserved cutwaters and arches with voussoirs. It is unusual in its survival in an original state and is a good example of the type.