In the 18th century, Ireland  was peaceful. It was at this time
that the Penal Laws were enforced and the great houses and estates
of the landlords were built . The Neale estate was aproximately
400 acres, and was surrounded by a high double wall. Inside the
wall, the landlord built a number of unusual monuments or follies.
A folly is a building that served no purpose and there five main
types: Temples, Pillars, Pyramids, Grottos, and Small Castles.
At The Neale, there are two well known follies - one well preserved
(the pyramid and weathercock) and the other in serious disrepair
- The Temple. This Temple is an unfinished temple of carved stone.
It was the last folly to be built in 1865 by John Browne, Baron
of Kilmaine in honour of his first title Lord Mount Temple. It
is hexagonal and has 6 plain Doric columns, at one time it had
a timber roof. The base of the Temple, with the arches. Dates
from an earlier time and it is probable that the columns were
replaced on top of the old structure to give it elevation. The
Temple was used by the ladies of the Big House for family meetings,
knitting and relaxing. In addition to relaxing at the Temple,
the ladies also walked "The Cavendish Walks", both inside
and outside the estate. |