Fermoy Br

Road bridge (Wth c. 13.2m; long axis N-S) over River Blackwater, in Fermoy. Rusticated ashlar limestone construction. Seven large wide segmental arches, well-dressed chamfered-edged voussoirs; string course over arches links piered abutments at either end. Two southern arches span weir feeding mill race to Corn Mill (15214); overflow arch on N bank of river. Piers of ashlar limestone with rock-faced finish; rounded cutwaters. Internal face of parapet wall (roadside) of random ashlar limestone; stone plaque reads "Rebuilt/1864 and 1865/XXVIII and XXIX Victoria/A. Oliver Lyons Engineer/ Joshua Hargrave Contractor". Remains of an earlier approach road from N integrated into E side of present road leading to bridge; random-rubble construction of earlier road visible in E side wall of road causeway; top of sandstone arch also visible, inserted key stone dated "1718" in wall. Earl of Cork built wooden bridge here prior to 1626, replacing a ferry associated with the Cistercian Abbey (14384), designed by Curteis (Brunacardi 1985, 1-3). Bridge washed away in 1628 (O'Keeffe and Simington 1991, 169-70); replaced by 1687 with stone bridge with 13 semicircular arches (see Brunacardi 1985, 6-7 for illustration). Fortifications were constructed at bridge by Williamite Army in 1690 (Kerrigan 1980, 15). Bridge widened by Anderson in 1799 by adding 6 wide-spanning arches to W side; demolished in 1864 and replaced by present bridge (O'Keeffe and Simington ibid.). 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