Fascinating follies just part of the lure of Belvedere

Belvedere House, Gardens and Park is a stunning Georgian house and large estate on the eastern shore of Lough Ennell in Mullingar. Within 160 acres, visitors can enjoy our magnificent period house, lakeshore walks, woodlands trails and stunning Victorian Walled Garden.

The extensive estate has 10km of woodland trails, lawns, and gardens making for a pleasant day out along the lakeshore. The grounds include four children’s play areas. Perhaps you might glimpse the resident red squirrels or the many birds including nesting buzzards. The Lakeside Café is open daily, offering a varied menu and gift shop.

A number of fascinating follies dot the estate, including the Jealous Wall, a huge Gothic folly, the largest in Ireland, a monumental testament to an intriguing story of sibling rivalry in the Rochfort family, former owners of Belvedere.

There have been many fascinating owners who have all left their marks, and an audio-guide tour provides visitors with information on the colourful history of the estate.

Belvedere and surrounding areas are now serviced by a new bus route operated by Transport for Ireland. For the summer, there will be departures to and from Belvedere three times a day. See tfi.ie for up-to-date information. Belvedere is open daily, with late summer opening. Great value membership is available to enjoy the estate and its natural beauty year-round.

Belvedere has a full and varied calendar of events throughout the year.

Biodiversity Week takes place between May 17 and 26, and among the events, a photographic exhibition of the wildlife at Belvedere by local photographer John McCauley will take place and guided tours.

The Unusual Plant Fair returns on June 30. In June and July, we welcome back Chapterhouse Outdoor Theatre for a performance of Little Women on June 29 and Beauty and the Beast on July 9.

• Many events for all ages, keep up to date, see www.belvedere-house.ie.