Calhame Bridge, over Sruhanadumpan Burn, Tamniarin, Dungiven, Co Londonderry

Calhame Bridge is a single semi-circular stone arch bridge carrying the Birren road over the Sruhanadumpan Burn, which flows into the River Roe. Built probably in the mid-19th century, likely between 1840 and 1859, it replaces an earlier structure shown on an 1832 Ordnance Survey map. The arch spans approximately 6 metres and rises with straight sides to accommodate the depth of the stream. The abutments are battered, meaning they angle inwards, and stop slightly beyond the depth of the voussoirs, which are large, rusticated with a rockface finish and good tool marks along their edges. The rubble stonework is well constructed, with well-formed quoins. The roadway is approximately 6 metres wide, and the parapet, which steps twice to maintain its horizontal level as the road inclines, is approximately 30 metres long. Each step has a curved convex and concave shape, and the parapet coping is of bold, flat stones with vertical tool marks. The parapet ends in rounded corners with shaped copings. The bed of the stream has been concreted. The bridge’s robust form, good detailing, and construction are characteristic, particularly the stilted arch that complements the steep, gorge-like sides of the burn. The detail of the bridge is found on other nearby bridges (for example, HB02/07/007) and is of local historical interest. The immediate countryside is bleak, though the setting is generally picturesque, partially marred by dumping on the downstream side. The bridge has industrial archaeological interest and is of group value.