Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB12/02/078

Address :
Canal Bridge Clonfad Newtownbutler Co Fermanagh BT92 6EB

Townland:
Clonfad

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Survey 2:
B1

Date of Listing:
12/01/1989 00:00:00

Date of De-listing:

Current Use:
Canal Structure

Former Use
Canal Structure

Conservation Area:
No

Industrial Archaeology:
Yes

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:
No

Derelict:
Yes

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OS Map No:
262/10

IG Ref:
H4956 2500

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Owner Category

Private

Exterior Description And Setting

Two shallow segmental spans carry the former Ulster Canal over the Finn River. The north-east half lies in Co Monaghan. It is of regularly-laid dressed limestone blocks. Of special note is the fact that the arch soffits slope down on each side to accommodate the depth of the canal. There is a chamfered cutwater to the upstream (SW) face only. Only fragments of the random rubble parapet walls now survive. The wing walls, which are of more coarsely dressed and randomly laid blocks, curve out as quarter circles and terminate in square piers; both walls and piers have oversailing dressed copings. The bridge is now heavily overgrown. The line of the canal is clearly discernible as a drainage ditch on the Co Monaghan side.

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. It is cited as 'Aqueduct' in the 1857 and 1907 editions. 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 F. Structural System

Historic Interest

X. Local Interest V. Authorship Z. Rarity

Evaluation

Although derelict, the principal elements of this twin-arched bridge survive, all executed to a high standard. Only one other bridge in N. Ireland has similar dropped soffits - the triple-arched aqueduct on the Ulster Canal near Caledon (HB15-11-008). The bridge is also a tangible reminder of the Ulster Canal, the line of which is no longer very obvious hereabouts on the N. Ireland side.

General Comments

Date of Survey

17 December 2000