Mausoleum, Downhill Demesne, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry

Free-standing Neo-classical three-stage sandstone ashlar mausoleum, erected c.1783, located to the east of Downhill Palace (HB03/12/015A) on an elevated site to the north of Mussenden Road. Commissioned by Frederick Hervey to the designs of Michael Shanahan, commemorating the second Earl of Bristol, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland George Hervey. Based on the Roman mausoleum of the Jules family at Saint Remy in Provence, the upper stage including marble statue and cupola were blown down in a storm in 1839. Square on plan, built on a rough-hewn basalt base, the pedestal is built in coursed sandtone ashlar with roll moulding to the base with Greek-key framed panels to each elevation and cornice above. The arcaded middle stage comprises a round-headed arch to each elevation with fluted archivolt rising from fluted and dentiled impost moulding supported on paired Ionic pilasters with roundels to the spandrels. Engaged Ionic columns frame each elevation and support an architrave and frieze with lead lettering spanning all elevations. The inscription reads; ‘Ille meas Errare Boves ut cernis, et ipsum Ludere quae Vellem Calamo permisit agresti’ (‘He gave me his word that my oxen should roam, as you see, while I myself play what I please upon my rustic reed-pipe’). The frieze is surmounted by a modillioned cornice with the upper stage comprising a drum base with continuous swag mouldings formerly supporting a Corinthian colonnade housing a marble statue of George Hervey and surmounted by a cupola. Only the attic bases of the columns and pedestal of the statue remain at the upper stage with several column shafts laid on the ground to the west elevation. Setting Set on an elevated site to the east of Downhill Palace (HB03/12/015A) and to the north of Mussenden Road, now forming part of the Downhill Demesne. Roof None RWG None Walling Sandstone ashlar Windows None