Mussenden Temple

The Temple of Mussenden is a building facing the Atlantic Ocean in Northern Ireland. Built in 1785, the place is an essential reference of the great Northern Irish tourist sites. Its charm, and its geographical location make it a place of choice!

Visit the Temple of Mussenden

A library facing the fury of the ocean

The Temple of Mussenden was built in 1785 under the leadership of Frederick-Augustus Hervey, 4th Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry. The Temple was built on the model of the Temple of Vesta, located in Italy, and was to collect large religious manuscripts.

The Temple is named Mussenden in memory of Frideswide Mussenden, cousin of Fredrick-Augustus.

Over time, erosion of the cliff on which the Temple is built has become a cause for concern, and threatens the building itself. For this reason, the National Trust carried out a series of works in 1997 to stabilize the cliff. Since then, the building remains and seems to be preserved from any risk.

His visit is free of charge, and you can then admire a first inscription located in the Temple, with a quotation from Lucrecius, a poet and high Roman philosopher: “How pleasant and safe it is to see the shore, the roll, and to hear the roar of the storm“.

The view is superb, with unrivalled panoramic views over Magilligan Point, County Donegal and the beaches of Castlerock. A view so sublime, that the place is a great classic for organizing weddings in Northern Ireland!

So much more to discover...