RED ARCH, RED BAY TL, Ballymena, CO.ANTRIM

A short road tunnel of 1817 through a sandstone headland on the Coast Road above the pier at Red Bay. The tunnel has been cut through the Old Red Sandstone headland. Of parabolic profile, the bare rock is exposed on its abutments, but its soffit and arch ring have been consolidated with cement render to prevent rock falls. A much more recent pedestrian footpath has been constructed around the seaward end of the headland. Setting: The headland through which the tunnel has been cut is directly above the pier on the N side of Red Bay. On the exposed headland above it are the ruinous remains of Red Bay Castle (a Scheduled Monument, ANT20:10).