bridge

Single-span road bridge over the Camlin River, built c. 1880. Flat deck supported on three original steel lattice girders and with two modern reinforced concrete beams added c. 1980. Wrought-iron or steel parapet railings to either side (northwest and southeast). Squared and coursed rubble limestone abutments and rubble stone wing walls to ends of bridge (southwest and northeast). Located to the west/northwest of Longford Town.

This interesting and elegant lattice girder bridge is a rare example of its type in County Longford. Despite some modern reinforcement and the replacement of the road deck in recent years, it retains much of its early form and character. Its construction using lattice girderwork suggests that it dates to the late-nineteenth century, and it represents an interesting example of the use of new materials and engineering techniques at the time of erection. The abutments to either side are well-built using good quality limestone masonry, and are modest examples of the skill of late-nineteenth century stonemasons. This unusual bridge is an attractive feature in the rural landscape to the west/northwest of Longford Town and is an integral element of the built and architectural heritage of the local area. The present bridge replaced a wider multiple-arched bridge at this point (Ordnance Survey first edition six-inch map 1838).