Built / Designed For: 1st Earl of Belvedere

House & Family History: Belvedere House was built as a hunting lodge for Robert Rochfort, 1st Earl of Belvedere, who later converted the House into his primary seat. For the interiors Lord Belvedere employed the French stuccadore Barthelemij Cramillion, who created some of the finest Rococo plasterwork in Ireland at Belvedere House.

Garden & Outbuildings: Belvedere House is famous for its Jealous Wall, the largest folly in Ireland. This folly was built circa 1760 by Robert Rochfort to block the view of Tudenham, the neighboring house of his brother, George, with whom he had fallen out over money. It's likely that Robert, who was clearly a difficult man, was also jealous of the larger and grander house built by his brother.

House Listed: Unknown

Park Listed: Unknown

Past Seat / Home of: Robert Rochfort, 1st Earl of Belvedere, 1740-74; George Rochfort, 2nd Earl of Belvedere, 1774-98. Brinsley Butler, 4th Earl of Lanesborough, 1828-47. Charles Brinsley Marlay, 1847-1912. Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Kenneth Howard-Bury, until 1963. Rex Beaumont, 1963-82.

Current Ownership Type: Government

Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction

Ownership Details: Owned by Westmeath County Council since 1982

House Open to Public: Yes

Phone: 0449-338-960

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.belvedere-house.ie/

Historic Houses Member: No