Belvedere House & Gardens
Belvedere House
An 18th-century Palladian mansion on the shore of Lough Ennell, famous for the Jealous Wall, Ireland's largest ornamental mock ruin.
Belvedere House was built in 1740 on the shore of Lough Ennell, south of Mullingar. Its most famous feature is the Jealous Wall. After quarrelling with his brother, the estate owner built a huge Gothic-style mock ruin to block the view of his brother's house. It is Ireland's largest decorative garden structure of its kind. The estate includes a Georgian mansion, a Victorian walled garden, woodland trails and lake views, making it ideal for a half-day family outing. There is an admission charge, with a combined ticket for the house and gardens. The gardens have shorter opening hours in winter. It is about 40 km from Athlone.
Opening hours
Approx. 09:30–17:00 (shorter in winter; check the official website)
Nearby sights
- Kilbeggan Distillery
- Hill of Uisneach
- Old Rail Trail Greenway
- Clara Bog Nature Reserve
- Lough Boora Discovery Park
- Corlea Trackway
- Sean's Bar
- Athlone Castle