See J0729 : The new Newry bypass (91). The first section of the bypass, to the north of Newry, has now opened. It connects Beech Hill to a new roundabout south of the Sheep Bridge J0931 : The Sheep Bridge near Newry. This view shows the old Sheep Bridge at middle left (behind the brown sign) with the new road in the foreground and the new bridge J0931 : The new Newry bypass (53) across the Newry River at middle right.
The old bridge was one of the best-known landmarks on the old-style Belfast – Dublin road. I haven’t been able to find out when it was built but my guess is that it was one of the improvements made to the road after the abolition of the Turnpike Trusts in 1857. Any further information will be welcome.