Hermitage, Tollymore Park, Newcastle, Co Down

Rubble built, grotto-like hermitage cell of c.1770, romantically set into the steep rocky ravine of the Shimna River, as it flows through Tollymore Park. The building was constructed by the 2nd Earl of Clanbrassil, as a memorial to his friend, the Marquis of Monthermer, who died in 1770. Its design may have been based upon the works of Thomas Wright of Durham. The hermitage is approached from the E via a set of stone steps and a narrow path with appropriate timber ‘log’ fencing. The building itself is a small, roughly circular grotto or cell constructed in rubble assembled in a random fashion much in keeping with the romanticised rustic concept behind the structure. The rock face forms the back of the cell and it is topped with a pointed ‘dome’ in smooth faced broken rubble with corbelled finish. There are entrances to the E and W of the structure, and two similar openings to the S (overlooking the ravine) with roughly hewn slabs set across them for safety purposes. To the W the path continues (with the ‘fencing’ to the S side in rubble with upright stone parapet), passing through a smaller, square plan, rubble-built cell with a curved roof and flat arch entrances and ‘window’. The path continues to the W of this building.