White Water Bridge, Between 221 & 245 Newry Road, Kilkeel, Newry, Co Down BT34 4SD

This bridge formerly carried the main Kilkeel - Newry road over the White Water River just outside the south-west corner of Mourne Park. It comprises a single segmental span in granite throughout. Soffit markings show clear evidence of widening on the upstream side (by half as much again as the original width). The downstream face is of random rubble with a roughly dressed voussoir (and projecting keystone). The arch rests on ashlar abutments. Embellishment takes the form of a shallow projecting pier on each abutment and a platband across the bottom of the parapet; the latter rises to an apex above the arch crown. A rectangular granite tablet is let into the centre of the outside face of this parapet but no inscription is evident. Wing walls to either side terminate in a second set of projecting piers. The original random rubble approach walling survives on the right bank. The upstream face is, by contrast, of roughly dressed and squared masonry laid in regular courses. The arch voussoir is finely dressed, with vee-jointing. As with the downstream elevation, the arch springs from ashlar abutments but there are no projecting piers. There is also a horizontal platband on this side. The parapet, which is a recent rebuild (complete with ribbon pointing on its upstream face), is coped with chamfered blocks. Wing walls continue out on either side to terminate in projecting piers. The carriageway and footpath on the downstream side together measure 7.48m wide (this compares with 3.80m for the 18th century bridge upstream which it superseded). The road is now blocked by a granite wall on the Kilkeel side of the bridge. The short section of road leading up to and over the bridge is now lay-by and picnic area under the auspices of Newry & Mourne District Council.