Mussenden Temple, Downhill, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry

Free-standing double-height single-storey over basement circular stone former library, erected c.1785, by Frederick Hervey, Earl Bishop of Derry to the designs of Michael Shanahan. Circular on plan and located on a cliff edge on the north coast of Co. Londonderry and built to be viewed from the rear of Downhill House to the south (HB03/12/015A). Built as a library and modelled from the Temple of Vesta at Tivoli, it is dedicated to the memory of Hervey's cousin Frideswide Mussenden. Copper-clad domed roof surmounted by carved stone urn with swag motif and rising from copper-lined sandstone blocking course. Coursed sandstone ashlar walling with sixteen engaged Corinthian columns framing blind bays except for entrance to the south bay and window opening to the north, east and west bays. Each bay has a wave-scroll (variation on Vitruvian Scroll) at sill level, a moulded plinth course and a decorative swagged panel spanning between the capitals. The columns support a fluted architrave with Greek key soffit, continuous frieze with applied copper inscription and alternating bishop’s mitre and lion carvings over each capital. The inscription reads, "Suave, mari magno turbantibus aequora ventis e terra magnum alterius spectare laborem.." "Tis pleasant, safely to behold from shore/ The troubled sailor, and hear the tempests roar”. Quoted from Lucretius De Rerum Natura, 2.1-2. The frieze is surmounted by a continuous dentiled and modillioned cornice. The columns rest on a continuous sandstone base with fluted frieze below in turn resting on coursed squared rough-hewn coursed basalt base (basement level). Square-headed window openings to north, east and west with voussoired heads, flush sills and replacement 9/9 timber sash windows. To the south bay is a square-headed door opening with a Portland stone decorative convex architrave surround, fluted frieze with blank tablet and hood cornice. Replacement double-leaf flush panelled timber doors open onto sandstone platform and twelve swept sandstone steps with replacement decorative iron balustrades. Voussoired round-headed openings to east and west bays at basement level with replacement iron gates. Setting Located on the edge of a cliff on the north coast of County Londonderry within the Downhill Demesne. Positioned directly north of the rear elevation to Downhill House (HB03/12/015A) and to the northeast of the walled garden and Dovecote (HB03/12/015C). Accessed via the Lion Gate to the southwest (HB03/12/015D). Roof Copper-clad dome RWG None Walling Coursed sandstone ashlar Windows Replacement 9/9 timber sash