Tamniarin Bridge, over River Roe, Birren Road, Tamniarin, Dungiven, Co Londonderry

A 5 arch random rubble stone bridge across the River Roe 2 miles east of Dungiven. The 5 arches are almost semi-circular of approximately 6 metres span with deep thin schist voissoirs springing from low wide supporting walls which terminate at each end in pointed breakwaters with pyramidal tops all built in random rubble. The bases of the wall supports are strengthened with concrete aprons. The tops of the breakwaters are above the springing line of the arches. The soffits of the arches are roughly mortared and 2 tie rods are threaded through the bridge between patress plates at each arch halfway above the springing line. On the S E end of the bridge abutment is the top of a 6th arch and it is unlikely that water ever flowed through it. In normal times water flows through 2 arches. The abutments of the bridge are long, the overall length of the parapet walls being 66 metres and while these are straight over the river they curve at the N W end where the road bends and widen at the other end. Parapet copings are in flat weathered concrete. The parapets have been raised as vertical stone parapeting is visible in parts beneath the present parapet level. The bridge has a fine setting at the S E end of the Benady Glen and a 1½ mile distance above the medieval Augustinian Church site and later Plantation fortified house. It is on the main road from Dungiven to Cookstown. A laneway at the S E end of the bridge parapet allows access for carts to the water’s edge.