Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

This single arch masonry bridge carries an unsurfaced road over Maureen’s Water within Clandeboye Estate, a short distance south of the main house (HB23/10/002A).

At the time of survey, the banks on both sides of the bridge were heavily overgrown, thus hindering its close examination. It is of random and squared rubble blackstone throughout. Its semi-elliptical arch rises directly from the bed of the stream and has thin split stone voussoirs. Two parallel rows of slates under the parapet mimic a string course. The parapets are snecked and are coped with dressed granite blocks with shallow pitched tops. The parapet ends curve outwards to terminate in square granite piers surmounted by pyramidal caps. A more recent vertical concrete weir has been built underneath the arch.

Historical information

Although the precise date of this bridge is unknown, it was probably built by James Blackwood, 2nd Baron Dufferin (1755-1836) in the early 1800s at the same time as Clandeboye House (then known as Ballyleidy House). It is shown on the 1834 OS six-inch map and therefore pre-dates the extensive rebuilding and landscaping programme carried out by Frederick Blackwood, 5th Baron Dufferin and 1st Marquis of Dufferin & Ava (1826-1902) in the 1850s. These works saw the construction of the present network of estate roads, including the realignment of the carriageway over this bridge. Originally this road ran from south to north, over the bridge and directly to the house. It was realigned to run west along the south bank of Maureen's Water, cross the bridge and then turn west again, thus avoiding the remodelled house.

References – Primary sources:
1. PRONI OS/6/3/1/1, First edition OS six-inch map, Co Down sheet 1 (1834).

References – Secondary sources:
1. Rankin P. (ed). Clandeboye (Belfast: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1985).

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
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

This early 19th century single arch rubble masonry bridge spans Maureen's Water, just SE of Clandeboye House (HB23/10/002A). Unusually for a demesne bridge, this example is not especially ornate. Stylistically, however, the careful dressing of some of the rubble stonework, the use of snecking and slate string courses, and granite parapet copings and piers set it apart from the much plainer random rubble road bridges of that period. Its setting in the landscaped grounds of Clandeboye House is also of interest, and it has group value with both the house and other estate buildings and structures. It is also of historic interest as an early 19th century demesne bridge.

General comments

Previously recorded as HB23/10/009.

Within Clandeboye Local Landscape Policy Area BR24