Local people who were emigrating to the U.K., America and Australia would walk out this road on their way to the shipping port in Derry. Family and friends would accompany them out as far as this bridge. Here they would say their farewells. After passing through the gap most would never return. The bridge is known as Droichead na nDeor or Bridge of Tear. The inscription on the stone reads: “This is as far as friends and relatives would accompany those leaving to emigrate. This was the place of separation. This is the bridge of tears.”
Location
The Bridge of Tears is situated at the Muckish gap.
Droichead na nDeor
Fadó, nuair a bhí daoine ón cheantar ag dul ar imirce go hAlbain, Sasain, Meiriceá agus an Astráil, shiúlfadh a gcuid daoine muinteartha agus a gcuid cairde leo amach go Droichead na nDeor. D’fhágfadh siad slán leo anseo agus rachadh lucht na nimirce ar aghaidh leo go Doire, áit a rachadh siad ar bord loinge. Níor phill an chuid is mó acu riamh.
Scríofa ar an chloch tá;
“Fhad le seo a thagadh cairde agus lucht gaoil an té a bhí ag imeacht chun na Coigríche, b’anseo an scaradh. Seo Droichead na nDeor.”