Regent Bridge, Banbidge Road, Dromore, Co Down, BT25

Regent bridge is a triple-arched masonry road bridge over the River Lagan at the west end of Dromore. The bridge is of random rubble blackstone construction. The abutments and piers are cement-rendered. There are angled cutwaters on the upstream piers only, of regularly coursed granite blocks rising to arch crown level. All the arches are of segmental span; the central one is wider and slightly higher than the end ones; all have dressed granite voussoirs. There is a small carriageway drainage hole above each of the piers on the downstream face. The parapets are coped with roughly-dressed flattish granite blocks; no terminal piers. Set into the middle of the road face of the downstream parapet is a limestone plaque (framed with dressed granite) reading: “Regent Bridge/ built/ in the 30th year of the/ residence in his See/ of the Right Reverend/ Thomas Percy DD/ Lord Bishop of Dromore/ to whom/ this memorial of their respect/ is inscribed by the/ inhabitants of the town/ of Dromore/ AD 1811”. There are remnants of steel 20th century lamp brackets along the top of both parapets. The north end of the upstream parapet has been truncated to give access to a balcony along the river frontage of the adjacent house. Just beyond the SE end of the bridge is a footpath giving access to a riverside walk downstream therefrom. There is a small interpretative plaque hereabouts as well. At the NW end is Dromore High Cross in the grounds of Dromore Cathedral (re-erected here in 1887). The deck carries a two-lane road with a footpath running along both sides. There is some overgrowth, including a tree, on the bridge’s upstream face. Setting On one of the main streets in the town with various buildings to north and south.