Bellamont: Palladian villa in a perfect, private world

A perfectly restored country house on 1,000 acres of forest, parkland and lake casts a spell on EILEEN BATTERSBY

IF PERFECTION in this life is attainable, it currently awaits the discerning buyer with access to €7.5 million, prepared to make their way to Cootehill, Co Cavan and experience the sheer pleasure that is Bellamont Forest, one of Ireland’s finest 18th century Palladian villas. This magical property, situated about 110km from Dublin, is set upon 1,000 acres of wood, open parkland and lakeshore.

It has been gracefully restored with understated flair and respect by a descendant of the original owner, Thomas Coote, once Lord Justice of Ireland, for whom it was built between 1725 and 1730. Designed by Coote’s gifted nephew, architect Sir Edward Lovett Pearce, Bellamont combines a sense of classical Italian design flourish with an inspired, and inspiring, feel for ease and comfort.

The approach is unique; the main gates are situated just off Market Street in the attractive, relaxed traditional country town of Cootehill. Within a couple of hundred metres of woodland, the private estate proper opens onto an avenue of about one mile with lake views to the right of Town Lake. There are no traffic sounds, no signs of development-scarred Ireland. Bellamont inhabits a private world where herds of deer graze uninterruptedly and the pheasants really do stop and stare. Gradually Dromorelough comes into view as does the boat house down by the trees.

Even with the trees still bare, the setting on a cold but sunny March day hints at summer, the daffodils are beginning to open and soon the bluebells will emerge. The two-storey over basement, four bay square house, built of red brick, with facings of ashlar, initially appears quite compact, sited as it is on a slight height.

The stone steps leading up to the front door are almost as wide as the simple façade which is complemented by a dramatic Doric limestone portico decorated by engravings of musical instruments.

Be warned, even before entering the beautiful, airy entrance hall with its Portland stone tiles, Ionic columns and coffered plasterwork ceiling, the aptly named Bellamont will have already cast its spell.

For all its grandeur and subtle elegance, it is a family home, comfortable and relaxed, a place ready to be filled by music, conversation, the smell of wood fires and contented dogs and cats. To the left of the hall is a delightful, informal library.

Opening off to the left of the magnificent, ornamented saloon or ballroom, is a drawingroom decorated in a soft, dusty pink that summons the daylight with the same ease that pervades the entire house. Off to the right of the hall is the diningroom with its splendid views. Placed discreetly off it are a butler’s kitchen – which is a generous working space – and cloakroom.

The house is well served by wooden floors and stone staircases and passage ways. One of the stone staircases leads to a mezzanine area with a private apartment, consisting of a large bedroom, en suite bathroom and office. The ceilings are vaulted.

The stone stairs continue on up to the central upper hall, lit by an oval-shaped cupola, through which sunshine is slowly darkening the timber floor. Five en suite bedrooms, each as welcoming as the other, and all boasting fireplaces, provide the main sleeping accommodation. The main bedroom has its own sittingroom.

The basement is bright and spacious, the original flagstone floor which was revealed during the restoration when a concrete floor was removed, now has underfloor heating, over which the flagstones were re-set. The kitchen is vast and wonderful, with generous workspaces. The breakfastroom, which could also serve as a small diningroom, is ideal for a small supper party or a séance.

A servant’s tunnel with atmospheric cobblestones connects the main house with the landscaped garden. The sheer scale of the present owner’s lovingly executed project becomes even more obvious with the sensitive conversion of the linen hall. Planned to be converted into accommodation, the job has been started. Its unfinished state would make it easy to be redirected into conversion for stables for a purchaser interested in keeping horses. The one thing missing at Bellamont is a stable yard.

The current owner, Australian designer John Coote, has spent 23 years working on Bellamont; it has been a labour of love, and it shows. The house which has stood for close on 300 years has had a dramatic history. Generations of the Coote family lived and died here. In 1874, it was sold on. When the present John Coote purchased it in 1987, years of neglect had left its mark. He wanted to restore it without imposing artifice and remain true to the spirit of the house. On a practical level, the roof has been completely replaced. All the windows are original. If this house has a fault, and it doesn’t, a bright summer sun can at times require some of the shutters to be partially closed in the early morning – hardly a problem.

The heritage value of Bellamont is immense; this is a glorious place with an aura of peace. There is no affectation, no straining for affect. All the enduring elegance of Georgian design at its most comfortable in a country setting that changes with the seasons and a house that responds to the shifting play of light is here. Lucky will be the buyer of a dream that is a reality.