Cleland Mausoleum, St. Elizabeth Parish Church of Ireland, Church Green, Dundonald, County Down

The Cleland Mausoleum is a large free-standing neo-classical stone structure dated 1842, positioned to the northwest of the graveyard of the former Dundonald parish church, south of Upper Newtownards Road in Dundonald, County Down.

The mausoleum is remarkable for its academic Greek Doric style and exceptional craftsmanship. It is square on plan and built on a stepped granite base. The structure features fluted engaged Doric columns at each corner, with V-jointed granite ashlar walls topped by palmettes to the acroteria of each pediment and a blocking course above. Four pedestals supporting urns with swags frame a drum base and domed tempietto. The tempietto contains six Ionic columns supporting an entablature and dome, within which sits a sarcophagus. The south face bears a plaque inscribed "CLELAND MAUSOLEUM 1842". The mausoleum is surrounded by fine cast iron railings. All materials are granite ashlar.

The mausoleum was built by Samuel Cleland's widow following his death in 1842, at the significant expense of £2000. According to tradition, it was built high so it could be seen from her house at Stormont. The structure is described as one of the largest mausolea in Ulster, commanding a spectacular site that forms a dramatic composition with the adjacent church, tower and ancient motte.

Samuel Jackson Cleland (1808–42) was the son of John Cleland, a man of considerable influence in County Down. John Cleland (1755–1834) had risen from humble origins through his employment as tutor to Robert Stewart, later Viscount Castlereagh and Marquess of Londonderry. Ordained into the established church and serving as agent for the Stewart estates, Cleland accumulated substantial wealth and married Esther Jackson, heir to Mount Pleasant, in 1805. The couple improved the house and around 1830 renamed it Stormont. Samuel continued these improvements, and it was his son John Cleland (1836–93) who built in the 1850s the castle that became the seat of the Northern Ireland government.

Samuel Cleland died in circumstances involving the demolition of a building. Contemporary newspaper accounts describe him as an estimable resident landlord and accomplished horseman whose funeral was attended by the largest procession ever witnessed in the north of Ireland, drawing people of all creeds and parties in spontaneous tribute to his worth.

The church occupies an ancient site documented in the 1306 taxation. The present churches date from 1771 and 1966. An associated motte and castle, attacked by King John in 1210, existed on the site; the Irish Pipe Roll of 1211–12 records that a new bridge, grange and pig-sty were constructed near the castle. By 1333 the castle was in ruins with no traces remaining.

The mausoleum is first shown, captioned as "Monument", on the second edition Ordnance Survey map of 1858. On subsequent editions it is captioned "Mausoleum". The structure has group value with the former rectory to the north, where Andrew Cleland, the rector of Dundonald Church of Ireland, lived.