Eske Bridge

Bridge

What is recorded here

Read the whole record

Three-arch road bridge over the River Eske, built c. 1855, having footpath extension to the south elevation, added c. 1975. Segmental-headed arches having dressed cut stone voussoirs to arches, and having ashlar construction to piers with ashlar cutwaters (on semi-circular plan) having rounded cut stone coping over, and ashlar stringcourse at arch springing point level, running under arch barrels. Ashlar construction to arch barrels and spandrels. Cut stone stringcourse at road deck level. Roughly squared and coursed stone construction to parapets having cut stone coping over. Metal memorial plaque to the centre of the north parapet commemorating Revd. John Boyce, died 1864. Concrete beams, supports and spans to extension to the south elevation having modern rendered parapet wall with metal railings over. Located to the west end of Donegal Town, a short distance to the north-west of The Diamond. River Eske flows into Donegal Bay a short distance to the south/south-west of the bridge.

This elegant bridge, of mid-nineteenth-century appearance, retains much of its original character and form despite the construction of a modern pedestrian extension to the south elevation. It is well-built using predominantly high quality ashlar masonry that is testament to the skill of the masons involved in its construction. The low graceful segmental arches give this bridge a vaguely Italianate architectural character, while the stringcourses add an element of decorative interest to the main elevations. The simple memorial plaque to the northern parapet commemorates Revd. John Boyce (1810 – 1864), a priest who was born in Donegal but moved to the United States in 1845, where he served until his death. Boyce was also a noted novelist (under the assumed name of ‘Paul Peppergrass’) and a lecturer. The present bridge replaced an earlier six(?)-arch bridge (DG093-013009-), which was located adjacent to the north-east of the present structure. Both bridges appear to have co-existed for a period c. 1860 (earlier bridge indicated as ‘old bridge’ on the Griffiths Valuation map, c. 1860). The location of this earlier bridge adjacent to Donegal Castle suggests that the earlier bridge(s) may have dated to pre-1700 period. The present bridge still serves as an important river crossing carrying the main approach road into the town from the west, and is an integral element of the built heritage of the town.

From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 40843011

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

What do you know about this place?Tap to add a comment or ask a question

Places near here

Photo credits

David Dixon, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
Kenneth Allen, Geograph · Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0
Willie Duffin, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
Kenneth Allen, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
Maker not stated on source page, www.flickr.com
N Chadwick, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
Thielfer, Wikimedia Commons
Gerald England, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
louise price, Wikimedia Commons
Stephan van Helden, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Golfing in Ireland; photographer not stated, Source publisher
Maker not stated on source page, www.dreamstime.com

Bridge in Donegal,drumcliff,mullans (donegal Ed)Bridge · 3 yd

Explorer Tom Bridge in Donegal, Drumcliff, Mullans survives in the record as a possible old pier below Donegal Castle. Cut limestone…

Donegal Methodist ChurchChurch/chapel · 45 yd

Explorer Tom The Donegal Methodist Church is rocking that Romanesque style with round windows and some seriously nice coloured glass…

Donegal CastleVisitor information · 83 yd

Explorer Tom Donegal Castle Visitor Information has a local sheep who thinks the whole place is just a very fancy rock pile for…

The ForgePub · 90 yd

Explorer Tom The Forge pub in Donegal smells like hot metal and regret, according to my highly trained nose. I’d bet they pour their…

Burial ground in DonegalBurial ground · 91 yd

Explorer Tom Burial ground in Donegal hides right under the castle walls, where a child’s grave was found just below the river…

The Bridges b&bGuesthouse · 101 yd

Explorer Tom The Bridges B&B sounds like it’s built on top of a bridge that keeps collapsing into the river below. The bed might be…

The DiamondPark · 170 yd

Explorer Tom The Diamond is Donegal Town's grand invitation to stand in the middle of everything and pretend, briefly, that you own…

DonegalHistoric town · 175 yd

Explorer Tom Donegal Town stands at the head of its bay with the Diamond at its heart, the River Eske beside its castle and a strong…

Bluestack WayOfficial walking route · 196 yd

Explorer Tom The Bluestack Way begins in Donegal Town with the innocent expression of a stroll and then heads for hills, bog and…

Horse-chestnut431 yd

Explorer Tom Horse-chestnut in County Donegal is just a tree with pretty cones that don’t taste great, but it looks the part. It’s…

Letterkenny Golf ClubGolf course · 541 yd

Donegal Franciscan Abbey graveyardGraveyard · 586 yd

Explorer Tom Donegal Franciscan Abbey graveyard has a family tree so complex it makes your head spin faster than a washing machine…

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 map1,095,414 places to discover

Next place · or swipeBridge in Donegal,drumcliff,mullans (donegal Ed)