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A viewing rock looking out over Glen Of The Downs, The Sugar Loaf and
Even as it slowly crumbled through the decades, it remained a magical place. Like an abandoned movie set, just waiting for a little
It’s a perfect hideaway, a little oasis in the middle of a sprawling woods, and it’s hardly surprising that The Octagon has been a
Starting to show a little wear agus tear – and half-assed graffiti – it was back in October 2023 that The Octagon got a much-needed facelift, with Oldstone’s finest
Octagon 1957 Source: Mark Fortune
t was built as a summer house for the residence of the nearby Bellevue House, 
the La Touche family’s perfect spot for a spot of lunch and some liquid refreshments.
t was built as a summer house for the residence of the nearby 
the La Touche family’s perfect spot for a spot of lunch and some liquid refreshments.As this August 1770 diary from Lady Arabella points out so eloquently.
A viewing rock looking out over Glen Of The Downs, The Sugar Loaf and 
Newcastle, The Octagon makes a tidy bookend to Kindlestown Wood lording it over Greystones, Bray Head, Dalkey and, on a clear day, even Snowdonia.
Before those trees took out 98% of the panorama, of course.
Pic: Fiona Alston
We’ve been visiting The Octagon right from our childhood years growing up on nearby Blackberry Lane (always hoping to catch the Robin Hood TV series being shot there) to more recent hikes in the early years of de Guide.
Even as it slowly crumbled through the decades, it remained a magical place. Like an abandoned movie set, just waiting for a little 
imagination for it to burst back into life.
imagination for it to burst back into life.And some liquid refreshments.
It’s a perfect hideaway, a little oasis in the middle of a sprawling woods, and it’s hardly surprising that The Octagon has been a 
disco infernal favourite, again, again and again. And the occasional music video.
disco infernal favourite, Starting to show a little wear agus tear – and half-assed graffiti – it was back in October 2023 that The Octagon got a much-needed facelift, with Oldstone’s finest 
bringing the old summer house back to something approaching its former glory.
And, bejiggers, it does look mighty fine these days.
As it always has done – no matter what the state – down all through its long, long history…
Glen Of The Downs 1794 Jonathan Fisher Colourised
The Octagon mid-19th century
Glen Of The Downs Octagon in the distance
16th April 2016
30th October 2016
15th January 2017
27th August 2017. Simon Bolger
5th February 2018
27th Nov 2019
The Octagon from above. Pic: Oscar Hackett/Long Lost
29th Dec 2019. Fearghal Breathnach
8th August 2021
28th June 2023
27th July 2023
15th June 2025
9th March 2025
24th April 2026