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Thursday 11 February 2010

Mussenden Temple


The Mussenden Temple, seen from Downhill. Perched on the edge of the cliff, the Temple is approximately 120 feet above the sea.

Built in 1785 by Frederick Augustus Hervey, Bishop of Derry and Earl of Bristol (known as the Earl Bishop), the Temple is part of Downhill Demesne. It was inspired by the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, near Rome. Used as a summer library, the Temple was dedicated to the memory of the Earl Bishop's cousin, Frideswide Mussenden.

Now in the care of the National Trust, the Temple can be hired for civil wedding ceremonies.

At the bottom of the cliff, below the Temple, the entrance to a tunnel on the Belfast to Derry railway line is just visible.

4 comments:

Maggie said...

Oh that's so pretty. I bet it's a perfectly lovely site for a wedding!

Clytie said...

I agree - a wonderful spot for a wedding.

Maggie said...

I left you something on my blog posted on 2/21!

~Cheryl said...

That's a wonderful perch for such a grand building! I hope there are more windows than it appears. Thanks for pointing out the tunnel! I'm sure that train ride provides a lot of wonderful scenery!