Survey Data
Reg No
14908007
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Technical
Original Use
Folly
Date
1810 - 1820
Coordinates
230088, 232147
Date Recorded
07/10/2004
Date Updated
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Description
Detached cylindrical viewing tower, built in 1817, with roughcast rendered walls, tooled limestone surround surmounted by carved stone date plaque 'AD1817'. Stone spiral staircase leads up tower.
Appraisal
Belview Tower was built as a folly to Belview House, which now remains in a ruinous state. The tower is located within the Kilclare Demesne and was built on a height, commanding views of its surrounding countryside. The tower itself resembles the round tower of the early Christian period with its roughcast render covering random coursed stone walls with small loop windows. The beautifully tooled door surround and carved stone date plaque highlight this structure's artistic quality. It continues to stand tall, beacon like in the Offaly landscape, while the house, with which it was associated has fallen into a state of disrepair.