Remains of Bridge, Butter Crane Quay, Newry, Co Down

The remains of a single-span draw girder bridge, dating from 1860 to 1879, stand at Butter Crane Quay, Newry, County Down. This bridge carried a former railway line over the Newry Canal, and it is of technical interest as no other bridges of this type are known in the province. What remains consists of the abutments and part of the roller mechanism. The abutments are constructed from rusticated granite blocks in regular courses, integrated into the canal’s side walls, which are narrowed at this point. Five sets of rollers were originally on the east bank, facilitating the rolling back of the bridge span to allow vessels to pass. One roller survives intact, along with three roller brackets. Five metal pillow blocks are also present along the top edge of the west abutment. The bridge was built at a right angle to the canal, but the single-track railway line was set at a skew angle across the bridge deck to align with the nearby Dublin Bridge station.

The railway line on which the bridge was located opened in 1861, extending the Newry – Armagh railway from its 1854 Edward Street terminus to Dublin Bridge Station. This section connected with an extension of the Newry – Warrenpoint railway, which opened in 1849. The railway was operated by the Newry & Armagh Railway Company, which was absorbed into the Great Northern network in 1879. The line closed in 1965. The site is of industrial archaeological interest and is located within a conservation area.