Bridge in Killygordon, County Donegal

This does not grant access. Most recorded buildings are privately owned; view them only from public ground unless the owner allows entry.

What is recorded here

Read the whole record

Single-arch former railway bridge, built c. 1863, carrying road over the former Strabane to Stranorlar section of the Derry (Victoria Road) to Killybegs railway line. Railway lines now out of use with tracks removed (c. 1960). Modern footbridge with metal railings attached to the west side having cement footpath. Squared and snecked rock-faced limestone construction to spandrels and abutments. Roughly squared and coursed rubble limestone masonry to parapets with rock-faced sandstone coping over, and with rock-faced sandstone quoins to the corners. Round-headed arch having rock-faced voussoirs to arch, and with squared stone masonry to arch barrel. Tarmacadam deck with footpath to the east elevation. Located to the south\south-east of Killygordon, and a short distance to the west of the former Killygordon Railway Station (see 40839011).

This former railway bridge retains much of its original form and character despite the closure of the line in 1960 and some modern alterations. The good-quality rock-faced masonry used in the construction of the arch and as the coping to the parapets is a typical feature of Victorian railway engineering and architecture in Ireland. The contrast between the grey limestone dimension stone to the parapets and the red sandstone to the rock-faced coping creates an interesting textural and tonal contrast. It survives in relatively good condition, which is testament to the quality of its original construction, and of the ambitions of the railway company involved in its initial construction. This bridge was originally built to serve the Strabane to Stranorlar section of the Derry (Victoria Road) to Killybegs railway line, which was opened in September 1863 by the Finn Valley Railway Company. It was originally a narrow gauge railway line but it was later converted to the standard Irish gauge (5 foot 3-inches) in 1894. The railway line was completed as far as Killybegs in 1893. This section between Strabane and Stranorlar was finally closed to passengers on the first of January 1960, and to goods a few weeks later. This former railway forms a pair of related structures along with the former railway station (see 40839011) adjacent to the east, and is an integral element of the built heritage and transport history of the east of the county.

From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 40839012

Places near here

Picture notes

Computer-made picture. It does not show this monument.
Richard Webb, Geograph · Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0
Computer-made picture. It does not show this playground.
National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
Computer-made picture. It does not show this mountain top.
Kenneth Allen, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Cist in Dromore (ballintra Ed)Cist · 282 ydComputer-made picture

Explorer Tom Cist in Dromore is a tiny stone box tucked into the earth at Ballintra Edge. I imagine it sitting there, quiet and compact, waiting for someone to notice its neat little geometry amidst the grass. It feels like a secret pocket of history that simply refuses to be rushed or hurried along.

Killygordon BridgeBridge · 384 yd

Explorer Tom Killygordon Bridge arches seven times over the River Finn and an old millrace. Its V-shaped stone noses cut the water, then rise into little pedestrian refuges above. Built around 1782, it made me notice that a bridge could give people room to pause as well as cross.

Children's playground413 ydComputer-made picture

Explorer Tom Children's playground in County Donegal was briefly ruled by a goat who chewed through the signboard and demanded tribute. It’s gone now, but the vibe remains. Perfect spot to practise your best tour-guide voice.

Standing stone in KillygordonStanding stone · 442 ydComputer-made picture

Explorer Tom An old map marked a standing stone on pasture beside the River Finn at Killygordon. The county survey found no trace of it. The record does not say whether the stone was removed, buried or lost another way, so the map and that honest absence are the story here.

Killygordon HouseCountry house · 536 yd

Explorer Tom Killygordon House was built c. 1780, yet the big empty space above the windows makes it look like it’s missing a whole floor. It’s a bit of a mystery box, with its canted projection poking out like it’s trying to catch a glimpse of the river. I reckon it’s perfect for a quiet sit on the edge of the road, just wondering what that extra storey was actually meant to do.

Man-made underground passage in KillygordonMan-made underground passage · 613 ydComputer-made picture

Explorer Tom Man-made underground passage in Killygordon comes from an early twentieth-century report of a sizeable cave by Killygordon House. A later survey noted a square depression in the back garden that was said to mark it. A reported cave and a hollow are clues; neither gives me permission to enter a private garden.

Site of CastleCastle, unclassified · 635 yd

Explorer Tom Site of Castle in Killygordon was once Manus O'Donnell's stronghold, but he got kicked out by an English force during a rebellion. The king then gave the estate to Captain Mansfield, who built a three-storey house and bawn there by 1622. There’s no visible trace left now, just the story of a place changing hands from Irish lords to English officers.

Castle (Site of)Castle, unclassified · 1.7 mi

Explorer Tom Castle (Site of) in Cavan Lower is playing hide-and-seek with me. A tale written down in 1846 says an earl built it and Squire Hamilton died there in 1710, but there was no trace of the castle even then. If you pass by from somewhere you’re allowed to be, take a picture for me. I’d love to see what the spot looks like now!

Edenmore HillMountain / peak · 2.7 miComputer-made picture

Explorer Tom Edenmore Hill sits in County Donegal with its access details currently unknown. The name sounds like it’s trying to explain itself, but without a single recorded path, it might as well be hiding behind an imaginary hedge.

McGuigan's BarPub · 3.5 mi

Explorer Tom McGuigan's Bar is out in County Donegal without a specific town listed, so it might be a bit of a hidden gem for those who know where to look. Check if it's easy to find or requires asking three separate locals for directions first.

Carnowen HillMountain / peak · 3.6 mi

Explorer Tom Carnowen Hill in County Donegal is the subject of constant seagull gossip, with them whispering about whether it’s peaked or just a big mound. They’re not sure either. Look serious, nod slowly, you're basically an expert now, don't overthink the bird chatter.

Jackson's HotelHotel · 4.0 mi

Explorer Tom Jackson's Hotel claims Joe Jackson perfected Irish Coffee there back in the 1940s, which is basically yesterday as far as I'm concerned. Drink one for me and pretend it tastes like victory and strong ambition. Look serious, nod slowly, you're basically an expert now.

More historic places in County Donegal · All of County Donegal

Add to this placeAdd a picture Add a detailed tip Add a story

Explore the map1,093,392 places to discover