Bridge, Benagh Rd, Kilkeel, Newry, Co Down, BT34

This is a double-span, lintelled bridge carrying the Benagh Road over a small stream discharging into Mill Bay, located near Kilkeel, County Down. It is primarily of technical interest and represents an unusual design compared to more typical arch bridges. The bridge’s construction is dated to between 1820 and 1839, based on the way the granite lintels were formed. Wedge marks on the lintels indicate a construction date before the later 19th century, when the plug-and-feather splitting technique became common.

The bridge consists of two horizontal skew spans made of granite. These spans, each measuring 1.1m across and 0.9m high, are supported by flat granite heads and random rubble abutments and a central pier. The west-facing (downstream) road parapet is set back 2.7m from the bridge's line and continues north as a coastal defence wall, both constructed of random rubble. The east side of the bridge has been extended with three concrete pipes, and the east parapet, made of coursed and squared granite, is of a more recent date.

An Ordnance Survey map from 1834 shows a bridge at this location, likely the present structure. The bridge is of industrial archaeological interest. It is owned by Central Government.