Lady Kathleen Ffrench arrived from Russia to Monivea in 1896 following her father’s death.  Her father Robert was the last Landlord of Monivea.  She met with Architect Frances Persee (a younger brother of Lady Gregory of Gort) to plan a suitable resting place.  She picked a spot in a clearing not far from the Ice House and a short walk from the Castle.  Many local people were involved in the building of the Mausoleum and it took four years to complete at a cost of 10,000 pounds (about 1 million pounds in GBP today).  It was a huge undertaking at the time with the Wicklow granite being transported by train to Athenry and by horse and cart up the avenue to the site. 

The Mausoleum measures 8.50 metres of width and 12.50 metres of length, with a square turret in its northeast corner. This turret contains a spiral staircase to the roof.  Six stone steps lead to a Gothic archway with a heavy oak front door. The Ffrench family Coat of Arms is carved outside in an alcove over the front door and bears the motto of the Ffrench family “malo mori quam foedare” which translates as “Death before Dishonour”. The door opens in to a chapel with a marble floor. The mausoleum is reputed to contain seven types of marble, including Connemara marble.

Sculpture by Francesco Jerace

Inside lies the sculpture of Robert Percy Ffrench lying in robes of the Order of Malta carved in white Carrara marble by Francesco Jerace, a renowned Italian sculptor. A motto has been carved on the side of the effigy, it reads: "Il lui sera beaucoup pardonné car il a beaucoup aimé", which translates: "He will be forgiven much because he has loved much".  The chapel is lit by five beautiful stained-glass windows made by a German company, Mayer of Munich.  The window above the altar depicts the risen Christ with two Angels and is placed so that the rising sun shines through to the inside. Side windows show the coats of arms of the Ffrench family and 12 of the 14 Tribes of Galway.  To the left of the Alter, stone steps lead down to a dark basement where the two lead coffins of Kathleen and her father lie side by side in the crypt.  Mass is celebrated once a year at the Mausoleum in line with the wishes of Kathleen Ffrench.

Church of Ireland Cemetery, Monivea

The Ffrench family vault is in the Church of Ireland cemetery attached to the ruin of the Church in Monivea village (at the rear of the Garda Station and playground) - entrance gate on the Athenry Road.  Those laid to rest there include Acheson Ffrench and Robert Ffrench (1776 – 1851) and other relatives. The vault is surrounded by Yew trees. Jack Morrow of Monivea was the last member of the Church of Ireland to be laid to rest there in 1979.

Since the formation of the Monivea Heritage Association repairs are ongoing at the Mausoleum.  The stained-glass windows have been repaired at considerable cost and further work will be carried out – pending funding. There are plans to map and record the Church of Ireland cemetery.  All this work is in conjunction with Galway Heritage Office and other relevant organisations.