Ballycorkey Bridge

Depicted on the 1837 ed. OSi 6-inch map as a multi-arched road bridge crossing the Inny River which marked the townland boundary between Ballycorkey and Rathclittagh and the parish of Kilbixy with Rathaspick. Site of Castle (WM006-044----) located immediately to SSW and eel weir 140m to SW. The present 19th century Ballycorkey Bridge was built on the site of an earlier bridge, parts of which are still visible on either side of the single arch bridge. Ballycorkey Bridge was described by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) as a; 'Wide-span single-arched road bridge over River Inny, dated 1857. Possibly incorporating the fabric of an earlier bridge to either end (north and south). Constructed using coursed rusticated squared limestone rubble with rusticated rock-faced limestone voussoirs to segmental arch. The present bridge replaced an earlier twelve-arch bridge located at this site, at a time when the River Inny was considerably wider at this point (Ordnance Survey Map 1838; Lewis 1837). The sections of the approaches to this bridge, to the north and south, which is supported by buttresses at a number of locations, are probably part of this earlier bridge and may be of considerable antiquity' (NIAH Reg. No. 15400601; https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/15400601/ballycorkey-bridge-rathclittagh-westmeath) Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 18 October 2022