Conolly’s Folly
 Conolly’s Folly 02.jpg by Wikimedia Commons
When a famine took its toll on Ireland in 1740, the wealthy widow of Speaker William Conolly wanted to provide work for hundreds of those hit the hardest by the famine. Katherine Conolly had a folly constructed as the rear entrance to the Castletown house property, providing work for months on end for citizens needing to feed their families. In gratitude for the opportunity, the workers created a masterpiece on the mansion grounds.
A folly is a purely ornamental architectural structure often placed to beautify gardens or courtyards. Connely’s folly is renowned for its simple but stunning style, creating an imposing and impressive rear entrance to the house. The folly stands 42 meters (140 feet) high, showcasing a large obelisk that is visible from the house. Stone arches are the main motif of this Goliath structure, with carved pineapples and eagles ornamenting the curves. |
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