A UNIQUE sugar sculpture has been built replicating one of Ardglass’s defining landmarks.
Isabella’s Tower, the 19th century folly, has been recreated by acclaimed sculptor Brendan Jamison.
Brendan, who recently made headlines with a sugar sculpture of 10 Downing Street — currently in the Prime Minster’s front room — turned his attention to Ardglass when he received a commission from a Belfast couple with fond memories of the seaside village.
Following a photographic inspection of the tower, which consists of two stories, 27 feet high with a diameter of 18 feet, Brendan tried to replicate as much detail as possible in his original.
“The tower has a certain magical charm, with wonderful views from every angle, from Coney Island over to the mystical Mourne Mountains in the distance,” he said.
“I did Helen’s Tower in Bangor couple of years ago and I have an interest in this area. My father is from Strangford, I have aunts and uncles still living in the Downpatrick area, and was always in that part of the world a lot.”
Brendan was therefore already familiar with the tale of Isabella’s Tower, which is perched on top of a hill at the highest point in Ardglass. Built by Aubrey William Beauclerk (1801-1854) as a retreat for his daughter, Isabella, who was suffering from tuberculosis, the site also has a much older significance.
On March 1, 1851, the Down Recorder reported that upon digging the foundations for this ornamental tower, a prehistoric burial ground was discovered, suggesting the mound was raised as a monument to a warrior, bard or chief.
Describing his construction of the tower, measuring 19.5 x 9 x 9 cms, Brendan said the octagonal shape proved complex when it came to carving the sugar cubes.
“It is a long process with specialist tools,” he said. “The staircase inside was particularly hard. It is completely open at the top of the tower so you can look down.
“I wanted it to be as true as possible.”
Brendan, who gained a BA Honours degree in Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Ulster in 2002, followed by a Masters of Fine Art degree, has been sculpting with sugar since 2003.
“It came purely from me experimenting in the studio,” said Brendan, who has since exhibited his unique craft around the world.
Ken and Ann Bartley, from South Belfast, who commissioned Isabella’s Tower, met as history researchers at Queen’s University.
“We both have a background in the arts, science and history, so always have had an interest in preserving our past,” said Ken.
“When we saw in the local papers that Isabella’s Tower was for sale, we immediately thought it would be great to buy and restore but unfortunately it was taken off the market shortly afterwards. It looks magnificent and has a wonderful story and history. It would be a shame if it was lost for future generations.
“Alas, our only connection with Ardglass, is the fact that my mother used to
holiday there as a child — though we still head there frequently to enjoy its windswept scenery and excellent local bars, so being part of the community would have been an added bonus.”