Historic Buildings Record · Northern Ireland
Belvedere
Fathom Lower, Newry, Mourne and Down, Northern Ireland
The record
- Designation
- Record only (not listed)
- Grade
- Record Only
- Type
- Garden Features
- Date of construction
- 1780 - 1799
- Address
- Belvedere, Ashton House, Fathom Line, Newry, Co Armagh
- Townland
- Fathom Lower
- Council
- Newry, Mourne and Down
- Country
- Northern Ireland
- Coordinates
- 54.14594, -6.32565
- Date of survey
- 16 June 2000
- HB reference
- HB16/13/028
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1636 "Vltoniae Orientalis Pars" (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
The Department's description
Exterior description and setting
A picturesquely sited belvedere overlooking the Newry River and Canal to the SW of Ashton House HB16/13/009
It is octagonal with felted roof, central cast-iron lantern and boxed timber eaves. Walls wet dashed rubble stone partially repaired in concrete blockwork. There is an opening to each cardinal point – all are windows except that to W face, which is the entrance (door gone). All window openings have slightly splayed reveals with concrete block cills.
Historical information
Shown on the 1835 map and explicitly cited as 'tower' in the 1861 map. Undoubtedly related to Ashton, a short distance to the east, and probably erected as a folly in the late 1700s.
Primary sources:
1. First edition OS 6" map, Co Armagh sheet 29, 1835 (PRONI - OS 6/2/29/1).
2. Second edition OS 6" map, Co Armagh sheet 29, 1861 (PRONI - OS 6/2/29/2).
Criteria for listing: architectural interest
Not listed
Criteria for listing: historic interest
Not listed
Evaluation
An octagonal belvedere on a hillside overlooking the Newry river and canal. Although attractive it has been repaired in concrete blockwork and not sufficiently special to merit listing.
Nearby in the register
- AshtonHouseunder 1 mi
- Fathom HouseHouseunder 1 mi
- BelvedereGarden Featuresunder 1 mi
- 53 Fathom LineHouseunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.