The Stewart Mausoleum, Carmavy Graveyard, Carmavy Road, Nutts Corner, Crumlin, Co Antrim

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A single-storey gabled rectangular mausoleum of galletted basalt rubble construction with slightly battered walls. Entrance faces west in a pedimented gable.

West gable contains a rectangular opening down two steps, recessed between broad rectangular projecting nib walls; flat arch of rough basalt voussoirs; plain iron barred gate now permanently wedged open. Deep sandstone slabs over nib walls, surmounted by an open triangular pedimented and bracketed classical aedicule containing a white marble plaque inscribed 'Erected by Thomas L. Stewart to the memory of his beloved son Thomas Ludford Stewart who departed this life 5th January 1815'. Pediment and shoulders of gable surmounted by three sandstone urns.

Side walls blank. Roof of Bangor blue slates in diminishing courses, with tiled ridge, supported on a plain projecting eaves course in each side wall. Some splitting to eaves course on north side.

Rear gable contains a slightly recessed rectangular sandstone panel perforated by a cross with extended foot, to the main wall, with a triangular pediment above, containing a small square sandstone panel perforated by a quatrefoil. Sandstone platband, at eaves course level, and sandstone coping to pediment.

SETTING: The building stands within a walled graveyard (HB20/13/020D) which is located in a very rural area. It is sited approximately on an east to west axis with two other mausolea (HB20/13/020B and C), which both lie to its east. It is approached by, and faces directly onto, a concrete path leading directly from the entrance to the graveyard; grass around sides and rear. Directly opposite it on the other side of the path is a small open enclosure which also has galletting to the exterior of its low plinth walls.

Historical information

Built by Thomas L. Stewart in 1815 to the memory of his son Thomas Ludford Stewart junior who died on 5th January 1815. Also commemorated are Thomas Ludford Stewart himself, who died in 1845; Alexander Stewart of Ballyedmond, Rostrevor, who died in 1845, and his wife Sophia who died in 1848; Amelia, wife of Thomas Ludford Stewart, who died in 1849; and Robert Stewart who died in 1854. Noticed by the Ordnance Survey memoirs in the 1830s as follows: "The respectable family of Shaw … and the family of Thomas Ludford Stewart of Belfast, Esquire, have handsome vaults here."
The mausoleum is plot no. 142 in the graveyard register.
The graveyard itself is an historic monument, no. ANT55:47.

References – Primary Sources
1. Inscribed plaques, over entrance and in interior.
2. Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland, Vol 35: Parishes of County Antrim XIII, 1833, 1835, 1838 (Belfast, 1996), p 4.
3. OS Map 1857, Co Antrim 55.
4. Information from secretary of the graveyard committee in 2000.

Secondary Sources
1. UAHS, West Antrim (Belfast, 1970), p 12.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

This is a late Georgian stone vaulted mausoleum in a classical style which retains its original features. It enjoys a pleasant setting in a prominent position in an attractive and historic graveyard.