bridge

Single-arch former railway bridge, built c. 1866, carrying the former Bundoran Junction to Bundoran railway line over small country road. Railway lines now out of use with tracks removed (c. 1957). Squared and snecked rock-faced limestone construction to spandrels and abutments. Parapets now removed. Metal tie bars and X-profile pattrice plates to side elevations. Segmental-headed arch with mildly rock-faced voussoirs to arch and squared coursed masonry to arch barrel; squared rock-faced quoins to abutments having drafted margins. Grass deck. Located to the south of Ballyshannon.

Although out of use and with the parapets now removed, the impressive arch and abutments of this former railway bridge retains their original form and character. The robust and good-quality snecked and squared rock-faced masonry used in its construction is typical of Victorian and Edwardian railway engineering and architecture in Ireland. It survives in relatively good condition, despite the recent removal of the parapets, which is testament to the quality of its original construction, and the skill of the masons involved. It was originally built by the Great Northern Railway Company as part of the Bundoran Junction to Bundoran offshoot of the Dundalk (Barrack Street) to Derry railway line, which opened in June 1866 and closed completely on October 1st 1957. Unlike many of the railway lines in Donegal, this was built to the standard Irish gauge (5’ 3”) as opposed to the many narrow gauge lines to the north. Sensitively restored with the rebuilding of the parapets, this fine bridge would represent an integral element of the built heritage and transport history of County Donegal.