bridge, CORKEY

Single-arch rail bridge, c. 1883, carrying the former Burt Junction to Letterkenny narrow gauge railway line over road. Railway out of use and tracks removed (since 1953). Segmental-headed arch with brick voussoirs and with brick construction to arch barrel; coursed and squared mildly rock-faced rubble stone construction to piers and to arch below springing point. Squared rubble stone construction to spandrels and to parapets. Deck overgrown. Squared and coursed mildly rock-faced rubble stone retaining walls to either side having cut stone coping over. Located in the rural countryside to the south of Manorcunningham.

This former railway bridge retains its original form and character despite the closure of the line in 1953. It is well-built using local rubble stone masonry while the brick construction to the arch barrel and the brick voussoirs to the arch are a feature of many late Victorian railway bridges in Ireland. The yellow brick voussoirs emphasise the gentle elegant sweep of the arch. The robust character of the structure is further enhanced by the rusticated masonry which contrasts against the large spanning segmental-headed opening. This bridge was originally built by the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway Company as part of the Derry Middle Quay to Burtonport railway line, which opened as far as Letterkenny in June 1883. It remained in use until the closure of the line in July 1953. This bridge is now acts as an historical reminder of the formerly extensive railway network in County Donegal, and is an integral element of the built heritage and transport history of Donegal.