Bridge, Ravernet Road, Lisburn, Co Antrim, BT 27

This is a small, slightly skewed, mid-19th century arched masonry road bridge carrying Ravernet Road over the Ravernet River. While an interesting local feature, it is not considered of special architectural or historic interest and its appearance is diminished by a service pipe fixed to its face, meaning it does not meet listing criteria.

The bridge is constructed of random rubble throughout, with granite dressings. The granite features rock-faced and margined blocks forming the abutment quoins, the segmental arch voussoirs, and the parapet ends. A plain granite platband runs through the arch at its base. The parapet is coped with chamfered granite blocks, with some dislodgement visible at the southern end of the western parapet. The bridge deck accommodates a one-and-a-half lane road. The riverbed beneath the arch is protected with pitched stones to prevent erosion of the abutments. A pipe is carried across the upstream (eastern) face attached by steel brackets. Concrete steps lead down to the right bank at the northeastern end of the bridge, providing access to a water gauging station located upstream.

The bridge and the road it serves first appeared on the Ordnance Survey six-inch map of 1858. Since they were not present on the 1833 Ordnance Survey map, nor mentioned in the 1837 Ordnance Survey Memoir of Blaris Parish, their construction likely occurred in the 1840s. The bridge is shown on all subsequent map editions. Comparing the 1833 and 1857 maps reveals a change in the river's course, shifting from a meandering pattern to a straighter channel, likely contemporary with the bridge's construction. The bridge demonstrates a degree of industrial archaeological interest.