As mentioned a few days ago, in the mid-18th century the first Earl of Belvedere quarreled with his brother George Rochfort and so built the ‘Jealous Wall’, a sham folly that obscured the view of the younger man’s house further south on Lough Ennell. Here is the property in question, Tudenham Park, which, like Belvedere itself, is believed to have been designed by Richard Castle. However, whereas Belvedere is really a villa, this is a proper country house, of three storeys over basement with bowed projections on either side and a seven-bay entrance front, its plainness relieved by the pedimented tripartite Doric doorcase with round-headed niche above and then a circular bracketed niched below the parapet. Occupied by successive families until the early 20th century, Tudenham Park then became a hospital and was in military ownership until the 1950s when unroofed and left a shell. Some 15 or so years ago, plans were hatched to rescue the building and restore it to use but these came to nothing, so it remains the ruin seen in these pictures.
This was my Mother’s family home Last used at her wedding in 1953 before the roof was taken off to avoid exorbitant rates
I visited this about 20 years ago. It was a shell but appeared sound. What a shame the ivy is allowed to take hold, it will destroy the structure. I imagine Tudenham is a ‘protected structure’, could the Council not take action and at least ensure the ivy is removed?
Hi R , who owns the house , NAMA ? Need to remove the Ivy soon …..
I think it’s owned by a local farmer…
A bit sickening.
Thanks for posting this to ‘complete’ the story. Is there any ruin (even a few stones) of Gaulstown? I did read it was burnt down during the revoluton?
Gaulston House, Rochfortbridge, Co Westmeath was burnt on 4 June 1920 and demolished –
https://twitter.com/StatelyHomeNews/status/1268529338892218368