The Gillespie Monument

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Tall, prominent, pillar like monument erected in 1844-5, erected in the centre of The Square to the memory of local military hero Sir Robert Rollo Gillespie (1766-1814).

The monument in mainly in sandstone with a stepped base. On the base is a tall square pedestal with rectangular panels to each face. The panel to the N depicts Masonic symbols, that to the S has a military style coat of arms, that to the W inscribed with details of Gillespie’s military career and that to the E added in 1897 as a memorial to Gillespie’s (natural) grandson General Robert Rollo Gillespie (d.1890). Above the panels the pedestal is stepped with coving above this. The lower step has moulded lettering (capitals) to each side.

The pedestal supports the tall pillar which is panelled along the length of its faces with the placenames of campaigns/battles in which Gillespie fought, in moulded lettering (capitals) to each panel. The pillar itself is topped with a frieze and cornice and, on top of this is a (roughly) double life size statute of Gillespie (in ceremonial military dress) standing on a round pedestal.

Historical information

This monument was erected in 1845 as a memorial to Major-General Sir Robert Rollo Gillespie. Gillespie was born in Comber in 1766 in a house which stood on the south side of The Square, but which was demolished in 1844. Originally intended by his parents for the legal profession, he joined the army in 1783, seeing distinguished service in the West Indies in the 1790s and rising to the rank of Lieutenant in 1791, Captain in 1793, Major in 1796 and Lieutenant Colonel of the 20th Regiment of Light Dragoons a few years later. After 1805 he was stationed mainly in India and other crown colonies in the region. Shortly after arriving in the sub-continent he almost single-handedly quelled an uprising of native princes at Vellore. In 1811 after further distinguishing himself in Java, Gillespie was promoted to the rank of Major-General, but was killed in October 1814 leading an attack upon the fortress of Kalunga (in India). His last words were said to have been ‘One more shot for the honour of Down’.

Gillespie was buried in India and a statue of him placed in St. Pauls Cathedral in London at the expense of a grateful Houses of Parliament. The eventual building of a monument to Gillespie within his native town of Comber was largely due to the efforts of local Freemasons, for Gillespie had been received as a brother of the Craft in 1783. The foundation stone was laid on the ceremonially important St. John’s Day (24th June) 1844, and the monument unveiled a year later in the presence of thirty-five lodges, said to have been the largest assembly of Freemasons ever seen in Ireland.

A further plaque was added to one of the panels in the pedestal of the monument in 1897 to commemorate the military career of Gillespie’s grandson (Major-General Robert Rollo Gillespie- ?the son of an illegitimate son of Gillespie), who like his ancestor, died on campaign in India in 1890.

References- Secondary sources
1 Linen Hall Library “Major General Sir Robert Rollo Gillespie KCB” in ‘Belfast News-Letter 18 January 1839, p.1.
2 SEELB Irish & Local Studies Collection (Ballynahinch) “Gillespie Rides. The Thrilling Story of a Comber Soldier” (Stories of The Ards Series) in ‘County Down Spectator’ 7 July 1934 p.10, 14 July 1934 p.2, 27 October 1934 p.2.
3 ‘The Bravest Soldier. Sir Rollo Gillespie, 1766-1814. A Historical Military Sketch’ (London 1937).
4 H.E. Parkinson ‘History of the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Ireland vol.2’ (1957).
5 R.S.J. Clark ‘Gravestone Inscriptions Co. Down Vol.V’ (UHF Belfast 1970), p.89.
6 SEELB Irish & Local Studies Collection (Ballynahinch) “Gillespie- The Story of an Eventful Life” in ‘Newtownards Chronicle’ 11 July 1978, p.12.
7 E.M. Griffith “Robert Rollo Gillespie (Soldier Heroes of Ulster: 2) in ‘Ulster Tatler’ May 1982, pp.91-93.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

W. Northern Ireland/International Interest

Evaluation

Tall and impressive, ‘Nelson’s Column’-like pillar with statue, erected in 1844-45 as a monument to Comber-born military hero Sir Robert Rollo Gillespie. This is apparently the only public Masonic monument in Ireland.