Bridge over Larne River, Circular Road, Larne, Co Antrim

This is an early Victorian masonry bridge spanning the Larne River, likely dating from the 1840s or early 1850s. It may be attributed to Charles Lanyon, the County Surveyor at the time, who was responsible for bridges and other public buildings. The bridge is a triple arched structure built of snecked, rock-faced basalt in rough courses. The segmental arches are formed with sandstone voussoirs. There are angled cutwaters to each face of the bridge, and a projecting string course runs across the top of the upper voussoirs. The abutment piers have slight returns at each extremity. Broad sandstone copings, feathered in appearance, run along the top, with weathered copings to the end abutments, partially replaced by concrete to maintain the original profile at the north-eastern corner. Wooden railings are mounted on iron angle brackets along the copings. The parapets feature two sandstone blocks that drop down to the level of the carriageway on each side. The carriageway itself is surfaced with tarmac. The bridge now sits at the end of a cul-de-sac off Station Road, having been separated from the town centre by the construction of an elevated dual carriageway. Grassed banks border the bridge on either side, although the southernmost arch on the eastern side is partially obscured by a building projecting from Station Road. The bridge lies within the possible area of a scheduled monument, number ANT 40:34, and is notable for its industrial archaeological interest, described as a monument.