Overview
Bellamont House, often called Bellamont Forest, dominates a sweeping 1,000‑acre (400 ha) drumlin landscape on the outskirts of Cootehill, County Cavan. Completed in 1730 for Judge Thomas Coote, the red‑brick, four‑bay Palladian villa is capped by a Doric limestone portico that greets visitors arriving along a tree‑lined driveway beside Town Lough. The estate blends the grandeur of Georgian architecture with native woodlands, tranquil lakes and well‑marked walking routes, making it a magnet for heritage enthusiasts, photographers and families seeking a countryside escape.
History / Background
| Period | Owner / Event |
|---|---|
| 1730‑1875 | Built for Thomas Coote; likely designed by Edward Lovett Pearce, nephew of Coote’s third wife Anne Lovett Tighe. Passed through several branches of the Coote family, including Charles Coote, 1st Earl of Bellomont, and later High Sheriff Charles Johnston Coote (1807). |
| 1875‑1981 | Purchased by coal‑trader Edward Smith for £145,000. The Smith (later Dorman‑Smith) family retained the house for over a century, even allowing the IRA to use the grounds during the 1950s border campaign. |
| 1981‑1989 | Bryan and Catherine Mills bought the property and carried out a two‑year restoration (roof, wiring, timber). Their work earned Ireland’s first government grant for a private‑house restoration and won the title of best‑restored house in the British Isles. |
| 1989‑2015 | Australian interior designer John Coote, a distant Coote relative, repurchased the estate. He restored the stables, walled garden and workers’ housing, reinforcing the historic fabric. |
| 2015‑present | American lawyer John Morehart acquired Bellamont. He launched an ecological programme, re‑planting native woodland, improving lake water quality and, after Coillte relinquished its lease in 2021, focusing on sustainable public access to the forested portion. |
What to See & Do
Bellamont House
- Exterior: The square‑plan villa’s red brick walls are accented with limestone quoins and a rusticated basement. The Doric portico provides a classic Palladian silhouette against the Cavan sky.
- Interior highlights (viewable from the road or designated viewpoints): A Portland‑stone‑paved entrance hall with a coffered plaster ceiling, marble busts of Coote ancestors in the reception rooms, and period plasterwork throughout.
- Access: The house remains a private residence and is not open for regular tours, but its façade can be admired from the public road and several forest viewpoints.
Woodland Walks
Bellamont Forest offers a network of clearly sign‑posted trails suitable for casual strolls and more vigorous hikes. The most popular routes, promoted during the 2013 Operation Transformation event, are:
| Route | Approx. Distance | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 4 km Loop | 4 km | Gentle undulating terrain, lake views, wildlife spotting (deer, badgers, a variety of birds). |
| 8 km Circuit | 8 km | Extended forest immersion, panoramic outlooks over the drumlins, occasional distant sightlines of Bellamont House. |
Both routes start from the main car park near the forest entrance and are suitable for walkers of moderate fitness. Picnic tables and benches are scattered along the paths, and the trails are maintained year‑round.
Wildlife & Nature
The mixed‑oak and conifer woodland supports a healthy population of red and fallow deer, badgers and a range of birdlife including buzzards, woodpeckers and seasonal migrants. The lakes host trout and pike, making the area popular with anglers (permits required). Spring brings a carpet of bluebells, while autumn colours paint the drumlins in gold and amber.
Seasonal Highlights
- Spring (April‑June): Bluebell carpets, nesting birds and mild weather make the 4 km loop especially pleasant.
- Summer (July‑August): Longer daylight hours allow for full‑day hikes; the lakes are ideal for picnics.
- Autumn (September‑October): Brilliant foliage provides striking photo opportunities, especially from the higher points of the 8 km circuit.
- Winter (November‑March): Walks are still possible, but some sections may be icy after frost; sturdy footwear is advised.
Practical Information
- Location: Bellamont Estate, Cootehill, County Cavan, Ireland (approximately 5 km north‑west of Cootehill town centre).
- Getting there: Accessible via the R191 road; a well‑marked turn‑off leads to the private driveway and the public forest car park.
- Public transport: The nearest Bus Éireann stop is in Cootehill (about 5 km away). From there, a short taxi ride or a 15‑minute walk along the R191 brings you to the estate.
- Parking: Free parking is available at the forest entrance (capacity for ~30 cars). No charge for trail use.
- Opening hours: The forest and its walking routes are open daily from dawn to dusk. The house itself is private and not open for interior tours.
- Facilities: Public restrooms at the car park, picnic tables, and a small information board detailing trail routes and the estate’s history.
- Accessibility: The 4 km loop is largely level and suitable for sturdy wheelchairs; the 8 km circuit includes some uneven ground and moderate inclines.
- Family‑friendly tips: Bring a packed lunch for the picnic areas, keep dogs on a leash (they are allowed on the trails), and carry a binocular for bird‑watching.
- Nearby amenities: Cootehill offers cafés, pubs and a range of accommodation options from B&Bs to hotels.
Nearby Attractions
While exploring Bellamont, consider adding these nearby sites to your itinerary:
- Annagh Lake – a scenic lake popular for swimming and angling, with a historic crannóg on its island. [/annagh-lake/]
- Castle Lake & Bailieborough Castle – woodland walks around a lake and the ruins of a 17th‑century castle. [/bailieborough-castle/]
- Cavan Way – a long‑distance walking trail that passes close to the estate, offering further opportunities to explore the Cavan lowlands. [/cavan-way/]
- Cavan Geopark – highlights include the Breifne Mountains and geological sites of interest. [/cavan-lowlands/]
Bellamont House and its surrounding forest provide a rare blend of Georgian elegance and natural beauty, inviting visitors to wander through history‑laden woodlands while admiring one of Ireland’s finest early Palladian villas.