You would need to be in a great hurry to cross the Foley Bridge without stopping for a second glance. The stone foot bridge spanning the Shimna river is too narrow for vehicles but easily accommodates walkers, dogs and artists. The complicated semi circular structure reflecting in a quiet pool was simply built to be admired. Located deep in Tollymore forest, it's a bridge I love to sketch. Lord Roden's book about the demesne throws some light on its inscription Ht:Foley, speculating that rather than commemorating the marriage of Grace Foley and James Hamilton, the bridge was named after a young girl called Harriet Foley. Irrespective of who it was built for, it continues to delight all who visit the park. This is a lovely place at any time of the year but like other popular locations it is best appreciated mid week or early in the morning when its possible to sketch for an hour or so before most of the visitors arrive; late evening is also ideal but the midges can be a pest. An old photograph shows a party of house guests painting beside the river on rocks still popular with artists today. The steep track down to the rocks can be tricky but a stone seat positioned a short distance along the path leading to the mill ponds is easier to reach and looks out over a comparable scene without having to slide down the bank. The bridge is worth sketching from a number of angles and like Tollymore itself tempts many return visits. It's a while since I completed this sketch but I remember that strong winds buffeted the park soon after and brought down a number of the trees including the large overhanging branch depicted in the sketch. It narrowly missed the bridge leaving its structure and beauty intact. Before leaving I leant over the parapet to see if any trout were moving below and caught sight of the big rope swing suspended above the river a few yards downstream; it was too early in the year and too cold to risk a soaking, but now that the weather has warmed up a bit perhaps its time I went back.