Railway Bridge, Fairhill Street, Ballycastle, Co Antrim, BT54 6AY

This is a late Victorian railway bridge, constructed between 1860 and 1879, providing access for agricultural purposes. The bridge spans 3½ metres with a segmented stone arch built of well-cut rockfaced sandstone voissoirs. The abutments and parapet walls are constructed of random rubble basalt. A raked parapet, 14 metres long with returned ends characteristic of bridges designed by Lanyon & McKinnon, sits above the arch, with a raking flat band above. The bridge’s carriageway is raked due to a significant change in ground level.

The bridge’s construction was associated with the former Ballymoney/Ballycastle railway line, which received Royal Assent on 22nd July 1875. Plans were prepared by John Lanyon and James E McKinnon, and construction began in January 1879 for a 3”-0” gauge line. Traffic began in October 1880. The initial contractors, Messrs Connor & Manistry, encountered financial difficulties, and the contract was subsequently completed by Messrs Butter & Fry. The railway ceased operation in 1950. The bridge now provides access from the top of Fairhill Street to agricultural fields. It possesses interest as an example of industrial archaeology.