Travel Information

The Belvedere is one of the few surviving parks that border the banks of Lough Ennel. It is probably the finest miniature landscape park in the country. The Belvedere was made to complement a villa that was going to be built near the site. It featured a house built in 1740 for the first Earl of Belvedere. The house was designed by the renowned architect Richard Castle. The park is particularly popular for its follies but other features include a walled garden lined by trees. The Belvedere house is situated on a knoll that faces southwest. The view south is blocked by the Jealous Wall, the largest Gothic folly in the country. The folly was built to completely erase the sight of a neighbouring house – the owner of which was the Earl of Belvedere’s brother with whom he had a long-standing quarrel. It is suspected that Thomas Wright of Durham did the folly for the Earl. Wright was a known astronomer and a favorite adviser for those who want to construct gardens. Another folly is also attributed to Wright, it is the Gothic Arch, and it looks like it was based on one of Wright’s drawings. The octagonal gazebo built in a fortified terrace was a later addition to the folly. The seven-acre Walled Garden, on the other hand, was built by Lt. Col. Charles Howard –Bury in 1912 when he inherited it. The Belvedere is located in County Westmeath near Tullamore Road. Travellers who are touring Ireland via rented car can easily reach it. In fact, a car trip is the best way to tour Ireland because it affords travellers the luxury of time. Commercialised tours only take cursory trips to these tourist destinations and the din of many tourists can take away from the total experience of visiting Ireland’s tourist attractions. Car hire companies offer competitive car hire packages for travellers.