Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB12/02/119

Address :
Canal bridge Clonfad Newtownbutler Co Fermanagh BT92 6EB

Townland:
Clonfad

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Survey 2:
B2

Date of Listing:
14/03/2005 00:00:00

Date of De-listing:

Current Use:
Bridge

Former Use
Bridge

Conservation Area:
No

Industrial Archaeology:
Yes

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:
No

Derelict:
No

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OS Map No:
262/10

IG Ref:
H4842 2417

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Owner Category

Local Govt

Exterior Description And Setting

A single semicircular arch formerly carried a one-and-a-half lane road over the Ulster Canal immediately south of the main Clones-Cavan road. It is of irregularly-laid and roughly dressed limestone blocks throughout. It is embellished with finely dressed voussoirs, a similarly detailed string course over the arch crown and projecting parapet copings. The parapets end in square out-projecting piers and continue as random rubble approach walls. The towpath runs through the arch on the south side. Its edge is marked with large dressed stones. The canal bank is also faced with masonry for a short distance on either side of the bridge. The span of the arch is 6.12m (20ft 1in), of which the actual canal occupies 4.09m (13ft 5in). At the north end of the bridge, the approach road makes a right-angle turn and drops gradually to meet the main road some distance to the east. This approach has been cut through by the present road, which now bypasses the canal bridge. The former road, which had a pronounced humped back, has been removed to reveal the arch extrados. The line of the canal is visible to the east; it has been infilled to the west.

Architects

Not Known

Historical Information

The Ulster Canal was constructed between Charlemont (Co Armagh) and Wattle Bridge (Co Fermanagh) between 1825 and 1842. The consulting engineer was William Cubitt and the principal contractor William Dargan (better known for his railways). This particular bridge is not depicted in the 1834 OS 6" map, and must therefore date to later in the same decade. The canal was closed in 1931. Primary sources: 1. OS 6" map, 1st edition 1834, Co Fermanagh sheet 40 (PRONI OS 6/4/40/1). 2. OS 6" map, 2nd edition 1857, Co Fermanagh sheet 40 (PRONI OS 6/4/40/2). 3. OS 6" map, 3rd edition 1907, Co Fermanagh sheet 40 (PRONI OS 6/4/40/3). Secondary sources: 1. W.A. McCutcheon, The Industrial Archaeology of Northern Ireland (Belfast, 1980). 2. R. Delany, Ireland's Inland Waterways (Belfast, 1986).

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

A. Style B. Proportion

Historic Interest

X. Local Interest V. Authorship

Evaluation

The principal elements survive of this well-executed bridge associated with the Ulster Canal.

General Comments

Date of Survey

17 December 2000