Indicated — Fethard

Running W of Fethard from Main St. crossing the Clashawley River. This bridge formed the western access to the town, with a town gate, known as Madam’s Gate, immediately E of the bridge, known as Madam’s Bridge. It is built of roughly coursed limestone rubble and consists of three round arches with a parapet. The bridge, which is relatively flat, is of two phase constructions as evidenced by the clear join between the arches beneath the bridge. The S downstream face is earlier, the arches having narrower voussoirs set on edge, typically pre-1700 in date. The bridge is indicated on the Grace map of 1708 (O'Keeffe 2003, map 5), however, its association with the medieval gate would suggest there was a medieval bridge at this location. According to Long (1892-4, 208) there was a plaque on Madam's Gate which bore an inscription informing the passer-by that John Delahunty built the bridge. However, it is more likely that the bridge was repaired, perhaps substantially in 1742, while retaining medieval fabric (O’Donnell 2010, 134). The plaque (TS070-040104-) was moved when the gate was being demolished, c. 1880, and was inserted into the ‘left’ wall of the bridge (ibid.). The bridge appears to have been widened between 1840 (depicted on the 1st ed. 6-inch OS map) and 1845 (depicted as wider on the Grove map (O’Keeffe 2003, map 11)). The arches on the N upstream face are composed of wider, rusticated voussoirs typical of the 19th century. There are cutwaters on the N side. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 6 May 2015