Bridge in Pettigo, County Donegal

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Double-arched bridge carrying road over the Termon River, built c. 1780, having cut stone/ashlar triangular-profile cutwater to central pier on the upstream elevation (north) with domed cap over. Now closed off to traffic. Constructed of irregularly-coursed squared rubble stone masonry to spandrels, piers and to parapets. Roughly dressed stone coping to parapets with cement repairs in places. Two segmental-headed arches having dressed voussoirs and with rubble stone construction to the arch barrels. Tarmacadam deck with modern bollards to the east end. Located to the east/north-east of Pettigoe town centre.

This fine bridge retains its early character and form, and is an appealing feature in the streetscape of the town of Pettigoe. It is robustly-constructed in good quality squared local rubble stone masonry, and its continued survival stands as testament to the quality of its original construction, and of the skill of the masons involved. This bridge probably originally dates to the late-eighteenth century, a period that saw a great deal of road and bridge-building in Ireland, particularly by the Grand Juries (the forerunners of the County Councils). It is possible that its construction was funded by the Leslie family, the proprietors of the town during the eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries. This bridge is similar in construction and has similar detailing to the bridge located adjacent to the south-east (see 40850008) hinting that they may have been built around the same time. This impressive edifice is one of a number of good-quality bridges over the Termon River at Pettigoe, and is an integral element of the built heritage of the local area. This bridge spans the border between counties Donegal and Fermanagh, and thus the border between the Republic and Northern Ireland.

From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 40850007

Places near here

Picture notes

National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
Kenneth Allen, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
Computer-made picture. It does not show this monument.
Computer-made picture. It does not show this walking route.
Mcg sean, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Jon Sullivan, Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Computer-made picture. It does not show this playground.
Jo and Steve Turner, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
Oliver Dixon, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

monument39 yd

Explorer Tom Monument in Pettigo remembers Patrick Flood, William Kearney, Bernard McCanny and William Deasley, who died during or just after the fighting here in June 1922. A carved soldier stands above their names. I can chatter about stonework elsewhere; here I'd read every inscription first.

The Bargain StoreHouse · 60 yd

Explorer Tom The Bargain Store in Pettigo is a big old house pretending to be a shop. I bet those splayed ground-floor windows are just winking at anyone who walks past the corner, waiting for someone to buy their secrets.

Historic settlement: pettigoe in PettigoeHistoric Settlement: Pettigoe · 89 ydComputer-made picture

Explorer Tom Pettigoe’s settlement is always jealous of more famous places, but honestly, it’s got better stories. It’s post-medieval and still waiting for its big break in tourism. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes.

Britton’s BarPub · 110 yd

Explorer Tom Britton’s Bar in Pettigo dates from eighteen sixty and smells like old wood and last calls. It is your final chance to grab a dram before you cross into Northern Ireland or time itself. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes.

Pettigo InnPub · 150 yd

Explorer Tom Pettigo Inn might be hiding a secret stash of pints behind the bar for the regulars. I bet the ghosts only drink stout, so grab one if you dare to test their patience. Visit, then text me what you think. I'll pretend to read it.

Drumharriff - Forest StrollOfficial walking route · 261 ydComputer-made picture

Explorer Tom Drumharriff - Forest Stroll is exactly what it says on the tin: a stroll through trees. The trees are judging you for not being faster. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late, like 'the forest got me'.

Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in DrumharriffFairy fort / earthen ringfort · 564 ydComputer-made picture

Explorer Tom Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Drumharriff perches on the southern crest, commanding a stunning view across Upper and Lower Lough Erne. The old fosse traces suggest someone really wanted to keep intruders out of this prime marshy real estate.

Castle McGrathCastle · 1.3 mi

Explorer Tom Castle McGrath is recorded as a castle in County Donegal, and its location near Termonmcgrath gives it a solid, grounded feel. It’s one of those places where the name itself carries the weight of family history and local lore. I bet it’s the kind of site that makes you wonder about the daily lives of the people who once called it home.

Boa IslandIsland · 2.3 mi

Explorer Tom Boa Island has caught my eye in County Fermanagh. I bet a island with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.

Children's playground2.8 miComputer-made picture

Explorer Tom Children's playground has caught my eye in County Fermanagh. I bet a children's playground with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.

Cruninish IslandIsland · 2.9 mi

Explorer Tom Cruninish Island has caught my eye in County Fermanagh. I bet a island with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.

Sallow IslandIslet · 3.2 mi

Explorer Tom Sallow Island has caught my eye in County Fermanagh. I bet a islet with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.

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