
What is recorded here
Adare Bridge in Blackabbey has fourteen arches and little stone refuges where pedestrians can retreat from passing traffic. An earl added those in 1837: proper aristocratic road planning, with a separate drawing room for everyone who’s nearly been flattened.
Fourteen-arch rubble stone bridge, rebuilt in 1837, carrying road over the River Maigue, incorporating fabric of an earlier structure, dating from c. 1390-1410. Segmental arches with cut voussoirs. V-cutwaters to east elevation, rising vertically to form pedestrian refuges. Rubble stone parapet walls.
Originally built by the fifth Earl of Kildare, this bridge was widened in 1837 by the Earl of Dunraven who added the large refuges. The fifth to the tenth pointed segmental arches counting from the north side are original medieval arches. Downstream, the ring stones, spandrel walls and parapets are the work of the Dunravens. Its large number of spans, comprising fourteen arches, makes it a notable feature on the landscape. Apart from its practical and social function, the structure is of apparent architectural, engineering and archaeological merit. The well-designed pedestrian refuges are a notable and very practical feature. Adare Bridge makes a positive contribution to the town, forming an attractive approach over the River Maigue.
From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 21824056
This does not grant access. Most recorded buildings are privately owned; view them only from public ground unless the owner allows entry.
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Adare Tourist OfficeVisitor information · 656 ydKnocknagowerNamed rock · 2.1 miPictures: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage; Adareman, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0; Peter Craine, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0; John Baker, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0; Sitomon, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0; Malene Thyssen, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0; Callanmurphy, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0; Joseph Mischyshyn, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0; Mike Searle, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
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