A Future for Irish Historic Houses - Irish Heritage Trust

Bellamont Forest, Cootehill, Co. Cavan
Bellamont Forest is located on the outskirts of the town of Cootehill in County Cavan.
Originally built in 1730s for Thomas Coote, Lord Justice of the King’s Bench in
Ireland, it is now the home of John Coote, an Australian entrepreneur:
- Bellamont Forest was designed by Sir Edward Lovett Pearce, nephew of
Thomas Coote.
- It has been described as one of the most perfect examples of a Palladian
villa in the British Isles. It is believed to have been inspired by Palladio’s
Villa Rotonda at Vicenza and his Villa Pisani at Montagna.
- The architectural structure of the house remains very much as it was when
originally built.
- The richly ornamented ceilings in the saloon and dining-room are very
impressive features.
- An interesting feature of the house is the broad paved passage that
surrounds it at basement level like a dry moat, and a 600-feet long
servants’ tunnel that connects the house to the outoffices.
- The house contains none of the original contents, although the
chimneypieces are original.
Since 1987, Bellamont Forest and its 1,000-acre estate have been owned by John
Coote who has carried out a number of important restoration and conservation
projects with the result that it is, according to the owner, in very good structural
condition. However, some major work remains to be done on the roof and the
chimneystacks may have to be dismantled and rebuilt.
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