The Jealous Wall

The Jealous Wall
An Balla Éad
A view of the back of the wall, 2021
Alternative names	Jealousy Wall
General information
Type	Folly
Architectural style	Gothic
Location	Belvedere House and Gardens
Town or city	Mullingar, County Westmeath
Country	Ireland
Coordinates	53°28′34.698″N 7°22′6.632″W
Elevation	103 metres (338 ft)
Named for	Robert Rochfort, 1st Earl of Belvedere's jealousy of his brother, George Rochfort's new house and his wife's popularity
Completed	1760 (1760)
Owner	Robert Rochfort, 1st Earl of Belvedere (1760—1774) George Rochfort, 2nd Earl of Belvedere (1774—1828) Brinsley Butler, 4th Earl of Lanesborough (1828—1847) Charles Brinsley Marlay (1847—1912) Charles Howard-Bury (1912—1963) Rex Beaumont (1963—1982) Westmeath County Council (1982—present)
Technical details
Material	Limestone

The Jealous Wall is a large 18th century Gothic folly made from limestone located in the Belvedere House and Gardens in Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland. It is notable for being the largest folly in Ireland. It was constructed by Robert Rochfort in 1760.

History

The folly, also known as a sham ruin, was completed in c. 1760 by Robert Rochfort, 1st Earl of Belvedere due to many factors including his brother, George's new mansion, Tudenham Park House being better than his Belvedere House, and his jealousy of his wife, Mary Molesworth. Around 1742, Rochfort suspected his wife of adultery with Robert's brother, Arthur. She was imprisoned in their family home, Gaulstown House with servants for over thirty years as Robert had lost his interest in her, and could not bear seeing her. Whilst divorce proceedings were being prepared, Arthur had fled the country. He returned years later, which resulted in Robert bringing a case against him, and he died at Marshalsea debtor's prison as he was unable to repay his debt of £20,000.