Bridge (Rail/River), Off Armagh Rd, Newry, Co Down

This granite bridge, built between 1840 and 1859, originally carried the double-track Goraghwood – Newry railway line over the Bessbrook River. It is of a single semicircular span and was constructed by the Newry & Enniskillen Railway Company, opening in 1854. The line was intended to link with Enniskillen, but was ultimately constructed only as far as Armagh. It also connected with Warrenpoint via a line built in 1861. The railway was acquired by the Great Northern Railway Company in 1879 and closed in 1965.

The bridge’s abutments are built of large, rock-faced granite blocks laid in regular courses, with two courses projecting at foundation level. The spandrels, parapets, and wing walls are of squared random rubble, also brought to courses. The abutments and parapet were originally coped with dressed blocks, though many are now dislodged and the parapet on the west side is largely missing, retaining only a basal course. Decorative elements include a finely-dressed, chamfered string course at the arch’s spring level (returning around the quoins), along with rusticated quoins and voussoirs. The arch soffit comprises dressed granite blocks set orthogonally. The railway line was embanked to the north of the bridge, while traces of it have been cleared away on the south side. The bridge is considered to be of industrial archaeological interest, though it is noted as lacking the technical interest or quality of detailing found in the nearby road bridge to its south.