Belview, folly in County Galway

This does not grant access. Most recorded buildings are privately owned; view them only from public ground unless the owner allows entry.

What is recorded here

Freestanding limestone folly, built c.1800, comprising screen wall with recessed central bay and having flying buttresses to each end. Crenellations with cut-stone octagonal-profile pinnacles. Rubble stone walls with cut-stone string course and circular and loop recesses. Pointed arch door opening to centre, flanked…

Read the whole record

This is one of several eyecatching landmarks on the roadside associated with Belview. It forms part of an interesting group of demesne structures, along with the Volunteer Arch and the similarly detailed estate house. Sited to close a vista, the simple form and large crenellations make the scale difficult to discern, giving the impression of a large ruin from a distance. This was a common feature of follies erected as part of the picturesque style of landscaping. The approach from the west, however, candidly displays the deceptive nature of the structure, showing the thin edge of the façade.

From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 30410019

Places near here

Picture notes

Computer-made picture. It does not show this monument.
National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
Steve & Jemma Copley on Flickr, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Malene Thyssen, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Computer-made picture. It does not show this playground.
Jan Wyk, Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Designed landscapeDesigned landscape, folly · 16 ydComputer-made picture

Explorer Tom Designed landscape in Ballymore Lower is a folly, which just means someone got drunk on tea and built something weird for no reason. Locals swear touching a specific leaf brings bad luck, but who are they to argue? Grand place for a sulk or a snog, your call.

Ice HouseIcehouse · 244 ydComputer-made picture

Explorer Tom Ice House in Belview OR Lissareaghaun is basically a fridge from the 1800s that forgot how to cool down. A poet fell in the ditch nearby and wrote a bad ballad about it. Perfect place to be dramatically windswept.

MonumentDesigned landscape, folly · 349 ydComputer-made picture

Explorer Tom This Monument folly in Belview OR Lissareaghaun has made a New Year's resolution to stop trying to look like a castle that gave up halfway through. Stick around for the light changing, it’s a show of subtle disappointment.

Ballymore CastleGate lodge · 622 yd

Explorer Tom Ballymore Castle gate lodge is run entirely by one very aggressive dog named Sir Barks-a-Lot who hates visitors. The limestone dressings are fancy, but the pooch doesn't care about history. Go in good boots and better manners.

IndicatedDesigned landscape feature · 811 ydComputer-made picture

Explorer Tom Designed landscape feature in Belview or Lissareaghaun thinks Dublin tourists are just noisy pigeons who lost their way to the pub. Stand on the spot and imagine the gossip it’s heard about the local cats' affairs.

Silver Fir1094 yd

Explorer Tom Silver Fir has caught my eye in County Galway. I bet a silver fir with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.

presbytery/parochial/curate's house1.0 mi

Explorer Tom Presbytery in Laurencetown has caught my eye in Laurencetown, County Galway. I bet a presbytery/parochial/curate's house with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.

Oghil Castle (in ruins)Castle, tower house · 1.3 mi

Explorer Tom Oghil Castle is just an earthen bump that’s seen better centuries. Go now, before some influencer finds it and calls it 'rustic chic' on the internet.

Redmond HillMountain / peak · 2.2 mi

Explorer Tom Redmond Hill has caught my eye in County Galway. I bet a mountain / peak with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.

European Beech2.2 mi

Explorer Tom European Beech has caught my eye in County Galway. I bet a european beech with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.

Children's playground3.5 miComputer-made picture

Explorer Tom Children's playground has caught my eye in County Galway. I bet a children's playground with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.

Battle of AughrimMajor battlefield · 6.5 mi

Explorer Tom Battle of Aughrim has caught my eye in County Galway. I bet a major battlefield with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.

More historic places in County Galway · All of County Galway

Add to this placeAdd a picture Add a detailed tip Add a story

Explore the map1,093,392 places to discover