Bridge in Ballymacaward

Single-arch former railway bridge, built c. 1905, carrying road over former Donegal Town to Ballyshannon narrow gauge railway line. Railway lines now out of use with tracks removed (c. 1960). Squared and coursed mildly rock-faced rubble stone construction to spandrels and abutments. Segmental-headed arch with raised rendered voussoirs and with smooth rendered ruled-and-lined finish to arch barrel. Squared rubble stone parapets with cement coping over. Tarmacadam deck with grass verges. Located to the north-west of Ballyshannon.

This former railway bridge retains much of its original form and character despite the closure of the line in 1960. The good-quality mildly rock-faced masonry used in the construction is a typical feature of late Victorian and Edwardian railway engineering and architecture in Ireland. It survives in relatively good condition, which is testament to the quality of its original construction. It was originally built by the Donegal Railway Company as part of the Donegal Town to Ballyshannon narrow gauge railway line, which opened in September 1905 and closed completely on January 1st 1960. This railway bridge forms part of a group of structures associated with this former narrow gauge railway line in the landscape to the north and north-west of Ballyshannon, and it is an integral element of the built heritage and transport history of County Donegal.