Downing Bridge

Four-phase road bridge (long axis N-S) over River Funshion on main Dublin-Cork road. Central section (Wth 3.8m) built of limestone with six segmental arches (span c. 4.2m); rough voussoirs with large central keystone. Widened c. 2.4m to W by similarly shaped arches with roughly shaped voussoirs. Further widening to W of c. 3.1m with slightly larger arch with wider span (c. 5.6m); pointed low cutwaters on piers. Central section of bridge of late-17th/early-18th century appearance, extended in late-18th century and again in 19th century; road controlled in 1820s by turnpike as part of mail coach network of Anderson and Briscoe (B. Power, Avondhu 16/10/1997). Wide concrete extension on E side built in 1956. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009