Mussenden Temple

The Mussenden Temple in County Derry, Northern Ireland is a beautiful circular temple perched on the 120 foot high cliffs near the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Built in 1787, it was a library dedicated to Frideswide Mussenden, the niece of its creator, the Earl Bishop of Derry. In addition to its beautiful architectural design, it offers stunning ocean views and breathtaking scenery along the rugged coastline. Visitors can access the temple by walking down the grassy hills or stairs from the top of the cliffs. At the edge of the temple is a beautiful waterfall which adds to the spectacular scenery. The cliffs on either side of the temple have become the home to seabirds, guillemots, and guillemot chicks in the spring and summer months. There are so many other amazing sights to be seen in the area. The nearby Binevenagh Mountain is a great place for walking with spectacular views over Lough Foyle. The beaches and bays in the area are also great for swimming, kayaking, fishing, and bird watching.