Brown-Clayton

Monument

This is the only accessible Corinthian column in the world.  Erected to commemorate the victory of General Abercromby over the forces of Napoleon of the Nile. The monument or Pinnacle as it is known locally has stood for 175 years, surviving a lightning strike unscathed in 1889 but in 1995 a massive lightning strike split the upper 20 feet of the column including some of the capital.  Restoration has been completed recently.

The Browne - Clayton Monument is a 94ft 4in Corinthian Column on a square pedestal base on Carrigadaggan Hill, Carrigbyrne, Co. Wexford, just off the N.25 route between Wexford and New Ross.  It is the only  internally accessible Corinthian column in existence and is thus a hugely important international architectural landmark.  It was built of Mount Leinster granite and contains an internal staircase leading to the Capitol, from which an impressive view of the surrounding country-side can be obtained.  Its construction commenced in 1839 and was completed in 1841 and is a replica of what is known as  Pompeys Column in Alexandria, Egypt, which is some 10 feet lower in height.  It was built by General Robert Browne - Clayton of  Carrigbyrne in commemoration of Sir Ralph Abercrombie who was his commanding officer with whom he fought and was victorious in the Egyptian battles in 1801 against Napoleon. It was at these battles that Abercrombie was mortally wounded.  These events have given the column international historical significance and  created huge international interest in the restoration project.  The Monument was designed by the renowned architect,  Thomas Cobden,  who is most famous for the design of the gothic Cathedral in Carlow Town as well as the Ducketts Grove near Tullow, Co. Carlow.  It is also interesting to note  also that  Robert Browne-Clayton was the third son of Robert Browne of  Browne’s Hill, just outside Carlow town.  On 29^th December 1994 the Column was struck by lightning and considerable damage was caused to the Capitol and the top 1/3 of the Column, in which a large gaping hole was made. The internal stairway was blocked by falling rock and debris.  A Trust to acquire, restore and repair the Column, the Wexford Monument Trust Ltd, was formed as a Limited Company in  December 2001 with the objectives of acquiring, restoring and repairing the Browne-Clayton Monument.  The Trust consists of representatives from Wexford County Council and the World Monument Fund in Britain, and An Taisce.  A conservation report on the Monument was prepared in July 2002 and recommended that the repairs be done in two phases.  The emergency phase 1 was completed in November, 2002 is now complete.  It  consisted of making  a temporary access route to the column, strengthening of the column with supporting scaffolding and the removal of the capitol and a number of sections of  the shaft. Phase 2, the completion phase, commenced in July 2003, to be  completed by November,  2003. This phase will consist of stone masonry  work  to either replace or  repair damaged stone  and then the re-assembly of the shaft and capitol.  At time of writing, 22^nd October, 2003,  only the three final sections of the capitol remain to be re-erected. 

Interesting Facts:

For further information contact: Company Secretary, Wexford Monument Trust Ltd., County Hall, Wexford

noel.stacey@wexfordcoco.ie Phone  053  65010 Fax.     053  24852 Mobile 087 2553046