Survey Data

Reg No

15401406


Rating

Regional


Categories of Special Interest

Architectural, Artistic, Social, Technical


Previous Name

Bracklin House


Original Use

Mausoleum


In Use As

Mausoleum


Date

1835 - 1890


Coordinates

260487, 258826


Date Recorded

23/11/2004


Date Updated

--/--/--


Description

Freestanding mausoleum, erected c.1836, comprising vaulted semi-sunken single-cell structure on square-plan with raised pinnacles to corners and a segmental-headed opening to the south face. Constructed of rusticated water-weathered limestone. Pentagon-shaped plaque to west side of entrance reads 'This tomb was erected by J. F. T. Esq. in 1836, N. Kiernan Builder'. A classical style granite tomb, c.1860, on square-plan with Doric detailing is located adjacent to southwest. Located to the north of Bracklyn House within former demesne parkland grounds.

Appraisal

An eccentric and deliberately picturesque early nineteenth-century mausoleum and a later neoclassical-style tomb, which form part of an interesting group of structures associated with Bracklyn House(15401405). The construction and detailing of the mausoleum is very similar to that of the gate lodge/folly to the south west (15401322), which was also built using heavily rusticated water-weathered limestone. The later Neoclassical style tomb, built using robust granite masonry, has a carved coat-of-arms of the Fetherston-Haugh Family. This tomb and mausoleum are built into a purpose-built mound, on polygonal plan, to the north of Bracklyn house and is thickly planted with yew trees. They represent unusual and romantic additions to the architectural heritage of Westmeath.