Bridge in Churchtown

Single-arch road bridge, built c. 1865, spanning the former Rathkeale to Newcastle West extension. Comprising round-headed arch having rusticated limestone voussoirs and dressed stone soffits springing from rusticated limestone piers with rusticated impost blocks. Snecked rusticated limestone spandrels surmounted by rusticated limestone parapet walls with coping and stringcourses. Splayed snecked rusticated limestone abutments projecting from sides (east, west) having rusticated limestone coping and capping. Tarmac road over bridge. Bridge forms part of the former Limerick to Tralee Railway line which now forms part of the Southern Trail.

This is a fine example of a railway bridge that follows a standard design. Typical of many architectural features associated with nineteenth-century railways, the bridge features well executed walls constructed in rusticated limestone. Simple artistic details including rusticated voussoirs, stringcourses and coping greatly enhance the visual appeal of the bridge. Although no longer used as a railway, the track below this bridge has been recently converted into a leisure trail stretching some 53 miles, providing an important amenity to not only the local community but also in developing tourism within the area.