bridge

Single-arch former railway bridge, built c. 1893, carrying former Donegal Town to Killybegs narrow gauge railway line over small country road. Railway lines now out of use with tracks removed (c. 1960). Squared rock-faced stone construction to spandrels and to parapets with rock-faced coping over parapets; rock-faced buttresses to north and south elevations flanking arch. Segmental-headed arch with mildly rock-faced voussoirs to arch and squared coursed masonry to arch barrel. Squared rock-faced retaining walls to either side of arch and railway embankment having rock-faced coping over. Deck/former railway line now covered in vegetation. Located a short distance to the east/south-east of Inver Station (see 40909218) and to the north-west of Mountcharles.

This simple but appealing former railway bridge retains its original form and character despite the closure of the line in 1960. The good-quality rock-faced masonry used in its construction is typical of Victorian railway engineering and architecture in Ireland. It survives in excellent condition, which is testament to the quality of its original construction, and the skill of the masons involved. It was originally built by the Donegal Railway Company as part of the Donegal Town to Killybegs section of the Derry (Victoria Road) to Killybegs railway line, which opened in August 1893 and closed completely on January 1st 1960. This railway bridge forms part of a group of structures associated with this former narrow gauge railway line at Inver, and is an integral element of the built heritage and transport history of County Donegal.