Obelisk

An extravagant and monumental folly structure closing a 2 mile vista from the garden front of Castletown House. Built c. 1740, it consists of a central obelisk set upon a series of superimposed arches which are also surmounted by carved stone pineapples and eagles on pedestals. The overall height of the structure is approx 140ft and its design is attributed to the architect Richard Castle. The folly was commissioned by Katherine Conolly, widow of William Conolly, Speaker of the Irish House of Commons, to commemorate her husband and provided relief work for local labourers during a severe winter. Mariga Guinness, a founding member of the Irish Georgian Society, was buried below the central arch in 1989. The 'Conolly Folly' is now a National Monument (No. 681) in State Ownership. Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 10 June 2011