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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.
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.
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.
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
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.
imagination for it to burst back into life.
disco infernal favourite, 