Bovagh Bridge, Mullaghinch Road, Agadowey, Coleraine, Co Londonderry, BT51

A four-arched masonry bridge, possibly of 16thC origin, widened c.1796, carrying a road over the Agivey River and of random rubble basalt throughout. Arch 1, on the left (N) bank is now dry, having been blocked by a mid-19th century water-powered flax mill to its immediate W. Arches 2-4 span the river proper, which it descends through a series of shallow rapids. There are angled cutwaters on the up- and downstream ends of the piers, rising to arch spring level. The abutments and piers of the river spans are underpinned with concrete. All four arches are of segmental profile, the middle two (i.e. arches 2 and 3) being slightly wider that the end ones. Breaks in all the arch soffits show that the bridge has been widened by 8ft at its upstream end from 13ft to its present 21ft. The spandrels have been heavily repointed and two metal tie bars inserted through each arch, just above the voussoirs. The parapets have been rebuilt as their rubble basalt stonework differs slightly from the rest of the bridge and has been brought to courses. The downstream one is slightly advanced beyond the spandrels and both are coped with concrete. A modern steel plaque at the S end of the E parapet names of the bridge and river. The deck has a slight curve. The right bank has been faced with stones upstream and down from the bridge. Setting The bridge is in open countryside, with woodland to its E and SW. At NW is a two-storey mid-19th century water-powered flax mill, now refurbished for other uses. It is aligned N-S at right angles to the river and has a pitched natural slate roof with plastic ogee rainwater goods. Random rubble walls with brick eaves course and brick apex to S gable. Infilled openings, some trimmed with brick, to E and W elevations, and doorways to GF and FF on N gable. At the N end of the approach road from N is a small culvert for the mill’s tailrace. It is now infilled except for its arch crown on its W face. The headrace entered the mill at the N end of its W side but has been infilled to create a small gravelled car park for use by anglers. Schedule: Rubble basalt construction