Marquis of Downshire Monument, Monument Road, Hillsborough, County Down

The Marquis of Downshire Monument is a free-standing sandstone Greek Doric column erected in 1848 on Monument Road, Hillsborough, County Down. It stands on the summit of a small hill to the south of the village, overlooking the surrounding countryside, and is visible from a considerable distance, functioning as a local landmark.

The monument commemorates Arthur Wills Blundell Sandys Trumbull Hill, the Third Marquess of Downshire (1788-1845), who died at his estate in County Wicklow after falling from his horse during an apoplectic fit, though local rumours at the time suggested he had been shot by a disgruntled tenant. His funeral procession from Wicklow to Hillsborough was one of the largest ever to have taken place in Ireland. The column was erected in 1848 by the Marquess' friends and tenants as a token of their friendship and esteem.

The monument is constructed of finely carved sandstone and reaches a height of approximately 40 metres (130 feet). It comprises a fluted Greek Doric column standing on a square-plan sandstone ashlar panelled podium with drip-stone cornice, which rests on three stepped sandstone stylobates. The column supports a domed sandstone ashlar circular plinth on a square platform, upon which sits a carved stone statue (possibly Portland limestone) depicting the Third Marquess. The monument was originally designed to incorporate four lions at its base, similar to Nelson's Column at Trafalgar Square in London. A Portland limestone carved panel to the north displays the Downshire arms and motto: 'per deum et ferrum obtinui', whilst the panels to the east, south and west are blank. The monument is said to have been situated on this hill because everything the Marquess could see from there he owned.

At the base of the column was inscribed a lengthy dedication: 'To commemorate the public and private virtues of the most Honourable Arthur Wills Blundell Sandys Trumbull Hill, Third Marquis of Downshire, Lieutenant of the County Down Militia, and Knight of the most illustrious Order of St. Patrick. Alike distinguished for patriotism, rectitude of principle of honesty, of purpose; upholding his station with becoming dignity he was also mindful of the wants of others and practised its duties with benevolence and humility which won the regard of every virtuous mind adding lustre to his exalted rank. Those who knew his work and admired the uprightness of his character and conduct in the several relations of life have erected this Monumental Column as a token of their friendship and esteem, 1848.' This inscription was removed in 2002 for the lettering to be recut but had not been returned as of the date of that report.

The monument is reputed to have been designed by the architect Thomas Duff, who was known for building Roman Catholic churches in County Down. The name of the sculptor is unknown. The scale and ambition of the work is generally of a quality seen in a large city rather than the outskirts of a small town, making it an important memorial structure of national interest. It was listed in 1976.

The monument fell into disrepair, and neither the government nor the Hill family agreed to bear the recommended restoration cost of £13,934. The monument was erected on a plot of land owned by the Downshire family which was let for crops and grazing, and this plot has come to be known locally as 'Monument Field' in respect to this memorial pillar.