Set in Coillte managed forestry this fantastical folly known as ‘the Temple’ is situated 500 metres north of Emo Court House and would have been part of the original demesne. The structure was built circa 1750 which means it predates Emo Court House itself as construction on that only began around 1790, replacing an earlier house. It is believed that William Henry Dawson, 1st Viscount Carlow commissioned the building to serve as a focal point for the estate gardens and park lands. Though many sources give the date of construction to sometime between 1760 and 1790 the structure is already marked as a gazebo on the John Mooney Estate Map created in 1758.
The Folly is an impressive structure towering over the surrounding commercial forestry plantation and on high ground north of the house. It consists of a triumphal arch base which incorporates stone steps leading to an upper octagonal gazebo with fine cut limestone. One can only imagine the impressive view from the gazebo but unfortunately at present the whole site is fenced off due to the unsafe nature of the structure. I am uncertain if there are any plans to restore the Temple though the ownership of it was transferred by Coillte to the OPW in 2017 to be managed as part of the Emo Court Demesne so there is always some hope!
GPS: 53.11505, -7.19613