In November 2014, Donnell O'Loan wrote to us with interesting information and photos which supplement the material on the main William Bald page on this website. Here are Donnell's notes and photos:

Obviously you are aware of the memorial stone to William Bald erected near Larne by the Larne and District Historical Association in 1978. A photo of this memorial appears your on your website. Many people, even locals, are unaware that a memorial exists which has been in place since 1834 since his name is inscribed on Coretavy Bridge in the area known to us as Carey or Ballypatrick. I have attached photos including one where I filled in the letters with white blackboard chalk for clarity [photos below].

The area of Carey/ Ballypatrick is between Glendun Viaduct [photo below] and Ballyvoy village and the road crosses the peaty moorland. This section of the road is often neglected when discussing Bald's achievement but in fact it had its own engineering problems to be overcome and has its own scenic beauty. However most people drive across the moorland blissfully unaware of the construction methods and the stream names carved into the stonework of the many little bridges which were required. Coretavey Bridge is the largest of these bridges after Glendun Viaduct. To me the inscribing of these names shows a broader awareness of the landscape not always seen in modern engineering projects.

Please see Donnell's photos below.

Above - the inscription on Coretavy Bridge. Below - the inscription enhanced with blackboard chalk.

Below - Glendun Viaduct.

© Donnell O'Loan and Iain Sommerville: 2014

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