Greg Mausoleum, Belfast

In 2009 the Follies Trust completed the conservation of the Greg & Rainey mausolea (see Projects 2008-9) and launched its first publication ‘Knockbreda: its monuments & people’(see Publications).

Over the intervening years the Trust has kept an eye on the mausolea and carried out occasional gentle maintenance. In January 2024 we were devastated to learn that before Christmas thieves had damaged the Greg mausoleum in a bid to steal lead. In the process they had levered off the urns so they were now smashed on the ground.

Conservation is a difficult concept but one the Follies Trust endeavours to promote by following international charters and SPAB guidelines. In conserving the mausoleum in 2008 we sought to preserve the integrity of the structure while resisting tampering with sound fabric or ornamentation. But the heavily- weathered cornice of the mausoleum, where original stones were fractured and delaminating, was an area of concern. A compromise was reached whereby all original stones were retained insitu with lead over-flashings to prevent further damage.

The value of the lead to the thieves was c. £50-100 but repairing the damage is costing over £40,000 including vat and fees. The Follies Trust is delighted to report that a grant from Esme Mitchell Trust and funds from the Follies Trust as well as generous donations from the wider Greg family means we have been able to undertake the repair work. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed so generously to make this possible.

We used McCollum Building Surveying, who were appointed in 2008 as our professional advisers, to supervise the work and Joseph McClune & Son Ltd. from Dundrum were the specialist contractors. The Follies Trust is grateful to all concerned for the careful attention to detail on this difficult project.