SET AMID APPROXIMATELY ONE THOUSAND ACRES OF PARKLAND AND LAKES, Bellamont Forest is one of Ireland’s finest 18th-century Palladian villas. Built between 1725 and 1730 for Thomas Coote, Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, the house was designed by his nephew, Sir Edward Lovett Pearce, one of the leading exponents of the Palladian style in Ireland. Bellamont symbolises the pinnacle of architectural perfection and is one of only a few buildings in Ireland designated of ‘National Importance'.
Pearce’s other works include the former Houses of Parliament in College Green, now The Bank of Ireland. He later became Surveyor General of Ireland, a post which he held until his death in 1733.
Pearce’s other works include the former Houses of Parliament in College Green, now The Bank of Ireland. He later became Surveyor General of Ireland, a post which he held until his death in 1733.
LOCATION: The property is on the edge of the town of Cootehill, 19 killometres north-east of Cavan town, 18 kilometres west of Monaghan, 40 kilometres east of Enniskillen and 110 kilometres north of Dublin. Dublin International Airport is within 75 minutes’ drive.
MAIN HOUSE: The house is four bays square, built over two storeys, with a basement. The internal floor area is approximately 1,032 square metres. The house is built of red brick with ashlar facings, and has a Doric limestone portico, with pediments over the windows. The main house has been reroofed and the chimneys rebuilt; the current owner has also rewired the house with CAT6 cabling. A new heating system has been installed on the ground floor with concealed radiators and the entire house replumbed.
The house is approached by a long driveway, initially alongside Town Lake. Wide stone steps rise up to double doors leading into the Entrance Hall (24 ft. by 29 ft.), with Portland stone tiles, fireplace, and coffered ceiling. A pedimented door surround leads into the Saloon / Ballroom (25 ft. by 29 ft.), with a superb coffered plasterwork ceiling. The Dining Room (18 ft. by 27 ft.) has a coffered ceiling, fireplace and two screens of Ionic columns. The other rooms on the ground floor consist of a Drawing Room (18 ft. by 27 ft.), a Library (16 ft. by 18 ft.), Kitchen (12 ft. by 13 ft.) and Cloakroom.
The stone staircase continues up to the central upper hall on First Floor, which is lit by an overhead oval cupola.
On this floor, there are five principal bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms:
Bedroom 1 (19 ft. by 24 ft.) with marble fireplace; Bedroom 2 (16 ft. by 19 ft.) with fireplace; Bedroom 3 (15 ft. by 19 ft.) with fireplace and Dressing Room (12 ft. by 12 ft.); Bedroom 4 (16 ft. by 19 ft.) with white marble fireplace; and Bedroom 5 (16 ft. by 18 ft.) with marble fireplace.
Bedroom 1 (19 ft. by 24 ft.) with marble fireplace; Bedroom 2 (16 ft. by 19 ft.) with fireplace; Bedroom 3 (15 ft. by 19 ft.) with fireplace and Dressing Room (12 ft. by 12 ft.); Bedroom 4 (16 ft. by 19 ft.) with white marble fireplace; and Bedroom 5 (16 ft. by 18 ft.) with marble fireplace.
The accommodation on this floor consists of a self-contained Chef's apartment, large Kitchen, Dining Room, a Media Room with fireplace, Wine Cellar, Laundry, Powder Room, Office and Cloakroom.
The original Servant’s Tunnel connects the Basement with the landscaped walled garden, situated to the rear to the house.
The former Linen Hall (approximately 679 square metres) has been restored to provide additional accommodation or work space: it contains an entrance hall, 5 reception rooms - one of which would be suitable for chamber concerts or conferences - and 5 bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms.
The former Linen Hall (approximately 679 square metres) has been restored to provide additional accommodation or work space: it contains an entrance hall, 5 reception rooms - one of which would be suitable for chamber concerts or conferences - and 5 bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms.
The former Steward’s House (approximately 1,275 square metres), situated to the rear of the Linen Hall, is two storeys with a third floor within a mansard roof with dormer windows; this has been developed into bedroom suites, which have not yet been fitted out.
The Gate Lodge is single storey, set within the walls at the entrance to the property. There are six rooms and an entrance hall.
The Gate Lodge is single storey, set within the walls at the entrance to the property. There are six rooms and an entrance hall.
GROUNDS: The estate, which is bound by mature woodland, comprises approximately 1,000 acres, of which rather more than half consists of lakes. There is a boathouse on the bank of the main lake, Dromore Lough, which is three minutes’ walk from the house. The woodlands are currently the subject of a long lease to Coilte.
IN ALL ABOUT 404.7 HECTARES / 1,000 ACRES.
Guide price: 4,500,000 Euros.
For further information, please phone or email William Montgomery's office as follows:
Grey Abbey Estate Office,
Newtownards,
Co. Down. BT22 2QA
+44 (0)28 4278 8666 / 8668
william.montgomery@sothebys.com
Guide price: 4,500,000 Euros.
For further information, please phone or email William Montgomery's office as follows:
Grey Abbey Estate Office,
Newtownards,
Co. Down. BT22 2QA
+44 (0)28 4278 8666 / 8668
william.montgomery@sothebys.com
