Roughan Bridge, Tirkelly Road, Rathfriland, Newry, Co Down, BT34

Roughan Bridge is a single-arch masonry road bridge built in 1839, carrying a minor road over the River Bann. The bridge is modest in scale but demonstrates craftsmanship through the use of contrasting granite and blackstone materials and detailing such as voussoirs, a string course, copings, and terminal piers. It possesses group value in terms of its aesthetic and historical significance.

The abutments are constructed from dressed granite blocks laid in courses, while the segmental-profile arch consists of vee-jointed dressed granite voussoirs. A dressed granite string course runs across each face at arch crown level. The spandrels and parapets are constructed of random rubble blackstone, brought to courses, and are coped with oversailing chamfered granite blocks. The parapets terminate in projecting three-quarters attached circular piers of dressed granite blocks. A dressed granite plaque featuring the date ‘1839’ in bass-relief is set into the downstream (northwest) parapet. The southwest abutment continues for a short distance up and downstream, acting as a revetment for the river bank. Metal steps provide access to the right bank for fishing, just beyond the northeast end of the bridge. The bridge is situated in a rural setting, with agricultural buildings to the northeast.

Historical records indicate that the site was previously known as ‘Roughan Steps’ on an 1833 map, and an 1836 Ordnance Survey Memoir documented a ferry service established in 1833 to replace stepping stones that were often submerged. The bridge was likely financed by the County Down Grand Jury and was subsequently named ‘Roughan Bridge’ on maps from 1859 onward. The construction of the bridge reflects local interest and represents an example of industrial archaeological significance.