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Rahoonagh West, Ballyvourney, Co. Cork - Clapper bridge Print E-mail


A small-scale rescue excavation and reconstruction was undertaken at the extant clapper bridge in Rahoonagh West in 2007.

Reconstructed bridge
Reconstructed bridge
This excavation was required to repair damage to the monument that occurred during winter flooding in Dec. 2006 and subsequent further collapse of parts of the structure, identified in March 2007 by Connie Kelleher. The archaeological rescue excavation and reconstruction of the collapsed portion of the bridge was funded by the National Monuments Section of the DoEHLG.

The stone collapse was removed by hand, with the larger stones removed by a JCB fitted with a sling. All the slabs were carefully laid on the river bank. A surviving bridge pier was uncovered beneath the collapse
Following on from the archaeological investigation, two piers were reinstated by stonemasons from the OPW, re-using the full compliment of stones recovered from the collapse. The top slabs were then reinstated, the sandbags removed, and the water allowed to flow under the bridge.It was also noted that a concentration of stones on the downriver side of the piers has a structural function, and had been placed there to form a buttress, to support the piers against the force of the water. These were also tidied up, and piled behind the piers to add extra support.

Cleaning back of the grass/top sod from the right bank of the river revealed an area of cobbling, which was in turn partially covered in concrete. This reinforces the fact that this was also in use as a fording point, and continued in use over a long period of time.

Excavation of pier of bridge
Excavation of pier of bridge
Replacing slabs
Replacing slabs

 

 

 

 

 
 

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