16. Seventeenth Century Bridges – Clady Bridge
The Strabane area is particularly rich in bridges which may have been constructed in the Seventeenth Century. There are two at Newtonstewart, one at Ardstraw and a very fine example at Clady. This is marked by the very large pedestrian refuges to either side and is located at the highest fordable point of the Foyle river system. It was the location of a skirmish during the Siege of Derry in 1689. Some sources indicate that the last arch on the newly constructed bridge was demolished on Tyrone side to slow down King James’ forces. The ford was also the location of a battle between the O'Neill’s (Cenel Owen) and the O'Donnell’s (Cenel Conaill) in 784.
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