Belvedere House and Gardens

Belvedere was built around 1740 for Robert Rochfort, later Earl of Belvedere, and its follies record a spectacularly poisonous family history. Rochfort accused his wife Mary of an affair with his younger brother Arthur, sued Arthur into ruin and prison, and kept Mary confined at Gaulston for over thirty years - she was released only after her husband died. When another brother, George, built a fine house nearby, Rochfort had a vast Gothic sham ruin erected across the sightline so he would not have to look at it; it is called the Jealous Wall, it is the largest folly in Ireland, and it still stands. The house itself is small for its status, a compact villa by Richard Cassels with fine rococo plasterwork, set above Lough Ennell. The estate covers about 65 hectares with a walled garden, terraces, woodland trails and other follies. It is a family destination now, with a playground and cafe.

History

The house was built in 1740 as a hunting lodge for Robert Rochfort, 1st Earl of Belvedere, by the architect Richard Cassels, and the French stuccatore Barthelemij Cramillion made its Rococo ceilings. Rochfort built it as a retreat after confining his wife at their earlier home, Gaulstown, over an alleged affair with his brother Arthur, who was fined £20,000 he could not pay and spent 18 years in a debtors' prison (Wikipedia, Belvedere House and Gardens).

What you'll find

• The Jealous Wall - the largest folly in Ireland, built to block a view.
• The villa - a compact Cassels house with rococo plasterwork.
• The lake terraces - the gardens dropping to Lough Ennell.
• The walled garden - restored, within the wider estate.

When to go

April to October for the gardens at their best; the estate is open year-round with reduced winter hours. School holidays are busy with families.

Before you go

The house is small and only part of it is shown. Much of the site is now family-oriented with playground and cafe. Ticketed, with charges by season. Trails are muddy after rain.

Nearby

Mullingar is north; Lough Ennell is directly below the gardens.

Key facts