Overview
Bellamont House and Forest sits on a prominent ridge just five kilometres north-west of Cootehill, dominating a rolling 1,000-acre drumlin landscape in County Cavan. The estate is best known for its 1730 Palladian villa, widely regarded as one of Ireland’s earliest and finest examples of the style. While the house itself remains a private residence, the surrounding woodland, lakes and marked walking routes are freely accessible to the public. It’s a quiet, rewarding destination for walkers, birdwatchers and anyone drawn to Ireland’s Georgian architectural heritage.
Architecture & History
Bellamont House was completed in 1730 for Judge Thomas Coote and is widely attributed to architect Edward Lovett Pearce, who was the nephew of Coote’s third wife, Anne Lovett Tighe. The square-plan, four-bay villa was loosely modelled on Andrea Palladio’s Villa La Rotonda in Italy, featuring red brick walls, limestone quoins, a rusticated basement and a striking Doric portico. The name “Bellamont” references the Earl of Bellomont, a title held by branches of the Coote family.
The estate changed hands several times over the centuries. In 1875 it was bought by Edward Smith, a coal trader who made his fortune on the Newry-to-Liverpool route. The property later passed to his grandson Eric Dorman-Smith, a former British army officer who changed his name to O’Gowan, became a Republican and notably allowed the IRA to use the grounds during the 1950s border campaign.
After a period of decline, Bryan and Catherine Mills purchased Bellamont in 1981. They spent two years replacing the roof, updating wiring and rescuing rotting internal plasterwork, earning Ireland’s first government grant for a private house restoration and a vote for best-restored house in the British Isles. Australian interior designer John Coote, a distant Coote relative, bought the estate in 1989 and restored the stables, walled garden and workers’ housing before his sudden death in 2012.
American lawyer John Morehart acquired Bellamont in 2015 for €2 million. Over the following decade, he led a sensitive, comprehensive restoration of the house, reclaimed marble busts that had been removed decades earlier, and oversaw a major ecological programme. After Coillte relinquished its forestry lease in 2021, Morehart focused on restoring hundreds of acres of native woodland and improving water quality in the estate’s lakes. He passed away in December 2025, leaving behind an estate that An Taisce describes as “an iconic building of national importance” and one of the present century’s major conservation achievements.
Walking the Forest
The public forest trails are well-signposted and loop back to the main car park. Two routes are officially promoted:
- 4 km Loop: A gentle, largely level circuit that passes lakeside viewpoints and mature oak stands. It’s suitable for casual walkers, families and sturdy wheelchairs.
- 8 km Circuit: A longer route that climbs to higher drumlin ridges, offering panoramic views across the Cavan lowlands and occasional distant sightlines of Bellamont House. Moderate fitness and sturdy footwear are recommended.
Both trails are maintained year-round and free to use. Picnic tables and benches are scattered along the paths, and an information board at the car park outlines the routes and estate history.
Wildlife & Nature
The mix of native broadleaf and managed conifer stands supports a healthy population of red and fallow deer, alongside badgers, foxes and a wide range of birdlife. Buzzards, green woodpeckers and seasonal migrants are common, making the estate a quiet spot for birdwatching. The lakes hold trout and pike; anglers can apply for permits locally.
Seasonal changes shape the visitor experience: April and May bring carpets of bluebells and active nesting birds, summer offers long daylight hours for extended hikes, and September through October paints the drumlins in vivid autumn colour. Winter walks remain possible, though frost can make certain sections slippery.
Practical Information
- Getting there: Follow the R191 road north-west from Cootehill. A clearly marked turn-off leads to the private driveway and the public forest car park.
- Parking: Free parking at the forest entrance (space for approximately 30 cars). Arrive early on weekends to secure a spot.
- Opening hours: The forest and walking routes are open daily from dawn to dusk. The house is a private residence and not open for interior tours, though its façade can be viewed from the road and designated forest viewpoints.
- Facilities: Public toilets at the car park, picnic tables, and a trail information board. No on-site shop or café.
- Accessibility: The 4 km loop is largely level and suitable for mobility scooters and sturdy wheelchairs. The 8 km circuit includes uneven ground and moderate inclines.
- Dogs: Welcome on the trails but must be kept on a short lead at all times to protect ground-nesting birds and wildlife.
- Nearby amenities: Cootehill is just five kilometres away and offers cafés, pubs, a library and a range of B&B and hotel accommodation.
Nearby Attractions
If you have extra time, pair your visit to Bellamont with these nearby stops:
- Annagh Lake – A scenic lake with a historic crannóg, popular for swimming, angling and lakeside walks.
- Castle Lake & Bailieborough Castle – Woodland circuits around a quiet lake and the ruins of a 17th-century tower house.
- Cavan Way – A long-distance walking route that threads through the Cavan lowlands, offering further opportunities to explore the region’s drumlin landscapes and heritage sites.
Check local trail conditions before heading out, especially after heavy rain, and bring a packed lunch and waterproof layers to make the most of the forest paths.