Massereene Bridge, Bridge Street, Antrim, Co Antrim

A 6-arch stone bridge carrying a public road over the Six Mile Water. It runs north-south. East face: walling of basalt rubble with rough voussoirs to elliptical arches; angled triangular cutwaters one of which is surmounted by a projecting rectangular refuge which rises above the parapet. Parapet coping is feather edged with vertical borders let into parapet. West face: walling of later roughly coursed blackstone rubble with angular triangular cutwaters, dressed granite voussoirs to elliptical arches. Parapet coping as previous to east face, surmounted by an original mid-19th century cast iron lamp standard. Parapet terminates at each end by a large square stone pier with moulded cap, each one abutted by a pedestrian gateway comprising original mid-19th century cast iron posts. Carriageway flat, bordered by pavements. Inner face of refuge in eastern parapet contains a contemporary commemorative plaque recording the building of the bridge in 1708 with a later inscription of 1857 added to it; base of refuge filled with angled stone block. SETTING: The bridge stands within the built-up area of the town. Adjacent banks overgrown except for north bank on west side which has a modern arrangement of timber decking leading to the bridge carriageway by modern timber steps.