Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB16/14/035

Address :
Crown Bridge New Rathfriland Road Donaghmore Newry Co Down BT34 1LD

Townland:
Damolly/ Sheeptown

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Survey 2:
B2

Date of Listing:
26/10/1995 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:
266/4

IG Ref:
J1050 2873

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Owner Category

Central Govt

Exterior Description And Setting

This bridge carries the main Newry - Rathfriland road over the Clanrye River. It comprises three semicircular spans in quarried rubble granite, with dressed-granite triangular cutwaters on both up- and down- sides (terminating at arch spring level). The voussoirs are of finely dressed granite, with raised keystones. The parapet is topped with squared granite blocks. The road makes a dogleg approach to the bridge, and is slightly humped as it passes over. In plan, it has a curvature at its east end, necessitating the corbelling out of the end of the eastern arch on the downstream side.

Architects

Not Known

Historical Information

This bridge was constructed when the present main Newry - Rathfriland road replaced the old route to the east in the 1810s; it is shown in a proposal for the new route on a map of 1814. It is shown on the 1834 OS map. The c.1835 Ordnance Survey Memoir says of this road: "The new road ... is, in order to avoid the hills, very winding ... It was made and is kept in repair at the expense of the county". Of the bridge, it states only that: "there is a three arch bridge ... on the new line of road". Primary sources: 1. James Wilson, 1814, A map of the new intended line of road from Newry to Castlewellan in the townland of Carnehaugh (PRONI: D 671/M9/17). 2. OS 6" map, 1834, Co Down sheet 46. 3. Ordnance Survey Memoir, Newry Parish.

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

A. Style B. Proportion C. Ornamentation D. Plan Form F. Structural System

Historic Interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

The bridge's style would accord with the early 19th century date suggested by the documents. Its style is similar to the nearby Sheep Bridge (HB16/14/019), albeit slightly less embellished. It is a good example of early 19th century bridge construction, its dressed stone embellishment giving it a degree of architectural interest. It is also an interesting contrast with the original Crown Bridge (HB16/14/034) nearby.

General Comments

Date of Survey

07 March 2000