bridge

Single-arched bridge carrying road over small unnamed river or stream, built c. 1860. Segmental-headed arch with cut stone voussoirs to arch having dressed margins; squared and coursed rubble stone construction to arch barrel. Coursed and squared rubble stone construction to parapets and spandrels with chamfered rendered coping over parapets. Rubble stone wing walls to either side. Tarmacadam deck. Located in the rural landscape to the north of Raphoe and to the south-east of Manorcunningham.

This impressive and elegant bridge, of mid-to-late nineteenth century date, retains its original form and character, and is an appealing feature in the scenic landscape to the north of Raphoe. It is robustly-constructed in local squared rubble stone masonry, and its continued survival and use stands as testament to the quality of its original construction, and of the skill of the masons involved. The single wide graceful arch with cut stone voussoirs having dressed margins creates an appealing juxtaposition with the coursed rubble stone dimension stone and is the work of skilled masons. This bridge dates to the mid-to-late nineteenth century, a period that saw a great deal of bridge-building carried out in Ireland by the Board of Works and by the Grand Juries (the forerunners of the County Councils). This fine bridge is an integral element of the built heritage and transport history of the local area, and is a feature of some aesthetic quality in the rural landscape.