Belvedere Orphanage
Belvedere Orphanage Before and After Restoration
,The Countess Jane of Belvedere was responsible for much of the architectural improvements made in the village in the early 19th century. In her will she bequeathed 6000 pounds to the construction and maintenance of an Orphanage for young protestant girls. The Belvedere Institution was to be built adjacent to the village and its crescent shaped layout mirrored that of the village green. The orphanage consisted of a small group of cottage style homes with a school house and a matrons house at either end. It differed fundamentally from the more typical Orphan Institutions which were positioned away from town centers and were often cut off and surrounded by high imposing walls. The girls, whose parents were deceased were educated in the schoolhouse with an emphasis on Church of England doctrine. They were educated to work in Protestant business establishments or as domestic servants in local estate houses. The orphanage remained in operation for 101 years from 1842 – 1943. After the closure of the orphanage the houses were rented to local families and eventually they were bought by Westmeath County Council who refurbished and modernized the homes.
Danny Dunne explores the history of Belvedere Orphanage in this Audio Recording. There are nine audio recordings along the Village Trail. Do visit and experience the rich Historic and Architectural heritage of Tyrrellspass village.
Jane Mc Cay the daughter of the Rev. James Mc Cay of Garristown Co.Dublin married George Augustus Rochfort the Second Earl of Belvedere in 1803. Jane Mc Cay now became the Countess of Belvedere.
The Earl’s first wife died just seven months before he married Jane. The Earl’s first marriage was childless and his second wife’s only child died in infancy.
The Rochfort Estate was enormous with Grand Houses and thousands of acres stretching from Miltownpass to Lough Ennell. George Augustus, peer and politician, was the Godchild of King George 11. and spent much of his time between London and Ireland as a titled gentleman and member of Parliament for Philipstown (Daingean). He built Belvedere house in Dublin which was acclaimed as the finest dwelling house in the Capital. Management of this vast estate was essential and the rents derived helped them amass vast wealth. George Augustus and Jane’s only child died in infancy so there was no direct heir to the estate on the Earl’s death in 1815. George was interred in St.Sinian’s Graveyard in Tyrrellspass and the John Bacon Sculpture in the Church is dedicated to his memory. A legal entanglement ensued with regard to Jane’s entitlement to the Earls Estate as they were childless and the estate might legally pass to Jane the Countess of Laneborough, the Earl’s sister. Jane, the Countess of Belvedere engaged the professional help of George Boyd, Kings Council and the estate was divided between the two Janes. Countess Jane of Belvedere inherited 1,500 acres while Jane of Lanesborough inherited the remainder. The village of Tyrrellspass was divided between both Janes. Ballykilmore, the linear south side of the street went to Lady Lanesborough while Lady Belvedere inherited the Northern stretch from the the Village Green to the Castle. This explains why much of the later developments of the village by Jane was confined to the Northern side of the Village. St. Sinian’s Church, The School House, The Courthouse, The Green, The Orphanage the Weslyan Meeting house. The opposite side of the Street was in Ballykilmore and was inherited by the Earls sister, Jane of Lanesborough.
Memorial to George Agustus 11 Earl of Belvedere and husband of Countess Jane. Sculpted by John Bacon Jnr