Picture Belfield House a grand 18th-century mansion. It stands proudly on the University College Dublin campus. Belfield House wasn’t always a university building. Originally a private residence it boasted a grand design. It featured a two-story structure with a basement. The house had a Portland stone porch and impressive stables. These stables now house the UCD Building Services Office.
Belfield House had a fascinating history long before UCD. It changed hands numerous times. Peter Digges La Touche owned it in the late 1700s. Later Thomas Wallace and his son were residents. Sir John Patrick Lynch and his wife Lady Frieda lived there too. Frank Cyril Bernard and his wife Frieda owned it before 1933. Each owner left their mark on Belfield House. They added extensions and improvements. They shaped the house’s character and story.
In 1933 University College Dublin acquired Belfield House. UCD paid £8000 for the 44-acre estate. The university initially used it for playing fields. Later UCD purchased more land around Belfield House. They created their main campus. The move to Belfield was a major undertaking. It represented a shift for the university. It moved from its city centre location to a more spacious campus.
The main house has been restored beautifully. Now it houses the UCD Clinton Institute for American Studies. A collection of 20th-century Irish artwork is displayed inside. The neoclassical plaster work in the oval dining room is stunning. Parts of the original walled garden and gates survive. They are a reminder of the house’s past.
Even the grounds themselves hold a secret. There was once a well known as the Twelve Apostles Well. It was surrounded by twelve trees. Sadly the well is now buried under the N11 road. Belfield House’s story is a blend of private lives and academic progress. It’s a reminder of Dublin’s history. It’s also a symbol of UCD’s growth and success. So here we stand in front of Belfield House. It whispers tales of the past. It invites us to explore its rich history.