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| West Front |
I have already posted an article and several images of BELVOIR HOUSE Newtownbreda, near Belfast.
Belvoir Park was built in the mid-18th century by ARTHUR, 1ST VISCOUNT DUNGANNON, though it had a number of tenants or lessees during its existence.
The former demesne now forms part of Lagan Valley Regional Park.
The Batesons, afterwards BARONS DERAMORE, purchased Belvoir from Lord Dungannon in 1818.
Belvoir House was razed to the ground on behalf of the Northern Ireland forestry service on the 18th February, 1961.
The car park is now on the site of the house.
Here are some images of the house prior to its demolition.
The image above shows the west entrance front, looking towards the River Lagan.
The apex of the pediment can just be seen on the left side, two-thirds of the way up; with a flag-pole above the ballustraded west porch.
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| West Front from the South |
The courtyard faced the stable-yard, which still stands today.
At the apex of the pediment the Bateson baronets' coat-of-arms was prominently displayed, their crest being a bat's wing, with the motto Nocte Volamus.
The pediment was at the garden front of the house, which faced northwards towards the motte, walled garden and glass-houses.
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| North Front |
Belvoir House - or Hall - dated from the mid-18th century and would have been, possibly, the oldest building in Belfast at the time of its demolition.
Above, probably the final image of the once-great mansion before its ignominious end, in 1961, with preparation for demolition: The stately garden front, which faces northwards.
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| East Front |
Despite its undoubted historical importance, its associations with several notable families, and having once been the focal point of a great demesne, Belvoir House suffered its ultimate fate when it was swept away in 1961 by the forest service.
Last published February, 2010.
3 comments :
Thank you for the chance to see Belvoir House again after 57 years. It brings back many happy memories of playing in the house and grounds.Many thanks, harry
Another very interesting country house posting Timothy! My father used to play on the estate and he was recently given a book A Treasured Landscape: the Heritage of Belvoir Park, edited by Ben Simon, 2005. However it deals primarily with the grounds rather than the building itself. The book does, though, have a few great photos of the interior. Stuart Blakley
Many more photos here of grounds and building
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