Mausoleum

The National Monuments Service's description

Cooper family mausoleum located on the demesne lands of Dunboden Park house which is 155m to the NNE. Depicted as a hachured circular enclosure with rectangular building in centre of enclosure on the 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map. On the 1910 ed. OS 25-inch map the earthwork is depicted as a circular area defined by a fosse with stone structure in the centre. Present remains consists of a small circular area (diam. 9m) enclosed by two massive concentric earth and stone banks with deep V-shaped fosse and narrow stone-lined entrance passage with an archway located at E. Opposite the entrance there is a vaulted entrance passage leading to a small rectangular stone built structure. This small structure or chamber is a mausoleum dating from the 19th century. According to the OS Field Name Books for Co. Westmeath this earthwork was known as 'Rolen's Fort' which contained a mass house and formed part of the ornamental grounds of Dunboden Park (SMR File). There is no evidence to suggest that this is a pre-1700 archaeological monument that was converted into a 19th century mausoleum. Described by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage as a 'freestanding mausoleum, erected c.1819, comprising two concentric earthen banks with a rectangular chamber to the centre constructed of dressed limestone. Cut stone revetment walls to outer face of outer bank and to inner face of inner bank. Entrance through outer bank through a pointed arched open to the east side. Entrance through inner bank and into chamber through a pointed-arched opening and passage on the west side. Stepped roof to chamber with brick-vaulting to the interior. Inner walls lined with rubble limestone with brick dressings to the openings. Pointed-arched window opening with chamfered surround to east face of vault with loop hole openings to the centre of north and south faces. Small opening above doorcase to west allows light of setting sun into chamber. Marble plinth to centre of chamber, on square-plan, with carved (veiled) marble urn over. Inscription to plinth reads 'Joshua Harry. Second Son of Edward Synge Cooper of Markee Castle in the County of Sligo by Anne his wife. Eldest daughter of the late Harry Verelst. Formerly Governor of Bengal. Nat June 25th 1799. Obit. Feb 5th 1819'. Located to the south of the ruins of Dunboben Park (15403303)' (www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=WM&regno=15403304).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 26 July 2013