Murland Tomb, Clough Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church, Castlewellan Road, Clough, Downpatrick, Co Down

This is a large, classical tomb dating from approximately 1858 to 1860, constructed of sandstone with free Baroque detailing. It was erected for the remains of members of the Murland family and is situated within the graveyard surrounding Clough Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church, located on the north side of the Castlewellan Road in Clough, County Down.

The tomb has a gabled form and a sunken doorway on its south gable. The doorway features a panelled iron door with a granite lintel inscribed ‘Murland’. Stone steps with stone coping lead to the doorway, flanked by squat end piers. Above the lintel is a semicircular arched recess containing a decorative iron grill, surrounded by vermiculated voussoirs and a fluted keystone. The gable edges feature pairs of curved, voluted pilasters, with a narrow panel between each pair, displaying a moulded staff motif. The gable is topped with a pediment featuring a recessed tympanum with moulded decoration. The rear gable mirrors the front, but without the stairwell. The east and west faces are largely similar with pairs of edge pilasters and two central pilasters, dividing the face into three square panels of lighter stone. The roof is constructed of stone slabs with decorative stops to the verge. A cornice course runs along the verge, with acroteria at the corners. Draped urn finials top the gable apexes, and a bevelled and lined plinth runs around the base of the structure.

The tomb commemorates the Murland family, descendants of James Murland (1774-1850), who founded the Annsborough spinning mill and played a key role in the construction of Clough Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church. The listing includes the mausoleum itself and the surrounding steps.