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The Temple on Black Island - Restoration

This 30 foot high neoclassical temple housing a sculpture was built by Thomas Dawson MP, the owner of the Dartrey estate, to commemorate his first wife, Lady Anne Fermor who died in 1769 aged 36. He spared no expense and engaged the best architect (James Wyatt) and sculptor (Joseph Wilton) from London. The temple was modelled on the Pantheon in Rome and had a dome and oculus (providing interior light). Over two centuries the building has deteriorated badly and is roofless, while the statue has been vandalised: both were almost beyond recall despite earlier help from the Georgian Society.
However in 2003 the newly formed Dartrey Heritage Association Link decided to restore this once fine building and statue. The work is currently in progress as can be seen by the scaffolding round the temple. Link
See also a view of the Dartrey estate H6117 : Inner Lough island and the history of the Dartrey estate where part of Black Island appears on the right of the picture. Link