Bridge in Glencrow

In the grounds of Gulladoo House are three bridges. Two of them cross the River Bredagh which goes through a U-turn at this point. The river no longer passes under the third bridge. This was pointed out to us as the 'Old Bridge' which previous authorities had attributed to the sixth, eight or ninth centuries (Swan 1949, 31). It consists of four bays, each c. 1m in width separated by three rectangular masonry pillars c. 0.5m in width and with the ends of the bridge resting on the banks. The pillars were pointed to deflect the water flow on their N side but only the pointing of the W pillar survives. They now stand c. 1m in height above the silted-up bed. On these are laid grass-grown slab-stones. The bridge is c. 2.5m in width. The bridge gives access now only to a field, but points in the general direction of Cooley graveyard (DG021--008001-) three quarters of a mile to the W. It seems clear that Swan, in describing 'The Arch' with 'Wattle marks', is referring to the small bridge leading to the house. It is difficult to assess the antiquity of any of these bridges but a pre-medieval date for that described above seems unlikely. It is situated in good land near the SE end of Breadth Glen where the river enters Lough Foyle close to the town of Moville. The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of upload: 22 September 2008