Downhill House

Downhill House stands as an impressive neo-classical mansion ruin perched dramatically on clifftops overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, featuring curved wings with domed ends and granite ashlar facades adorned with Corinthian pilasters.

Built in the 1770s by Frederick Hervey, the Earl-Bishop of Derry, at a cost of £80,000, the mansion served as his primary residence until a devastating fire in 1851 destroyed much of its interior and priceless art collection.

The house once contained an extraordinary collection of masterpieces by renowned artists including Correggio, Dürer, Murillo, Rubens, and Tintoretto, reflecting the Earl-Bishop's passion for European art and his status as a prominent cultural patron.

Now managed by the National Trust since 1980, the ruins are accessible to visitors for a small fee, with informative panels providing historical context and well-maintained paths leading through the estate grounds.

The mansion was designed with water closets supervised by Placido Columbani, representing architectural innovation for its time, while its eccentric owner chose this exposed clifftop location specifically for its invigorating sea air despite the challenging coastal conditions.

GPS coordinates: 55.16430,-6.81056

Latest update: July 24, 2025 08:59