Belvedere Experience

Belvedere House Gardens and Park is a magnificent parkland estate on the shores of Lough Ennel in the Irish Midlands. the house, built originally as a hunting and fishing lodge, is set in the midst of 160 acres of parkland on the lake shore. There are extensive gardens, including a highly regarded walled garden. The well laid out park is dotted by a number of follies - the jealous wall, gothic arch and an octagonal gazebo.

Belvedere House Gardens and Park has been developed as an attraction presenting a mosaic which will integrate the environment, heritage, house and gardens to create a pleasure ground resonant of the past but relevant to the future...

Belvedere's other assets, including the splendid array of Follies, The Historic Gardens, and the special sense of place created by the park and lake setting have been conserved and enhanced. The visitor will be encouraged to discover the diverse range of habitats through participation in interpretative activities such as discovery trails, guided walks, themed play areas and other activities.

The House, Stables Block, the Jealous Wall and the other follies have been restored to re-create the romance and intrigue associated with the ribald heritage of the anglo-irish gentry. Interpreters have been used to help tell the story of Mary Molesworth and the First Earl, of Sir John Piers and of Lady Cloncurry.

These are stories steeped in scandal which provide rich opportunities to capture the visitor's imagination and are told using modern interpretative techniques.