The Follies Trust is conserving Reynold's folly at Coolbeg, Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal with generous financial help from the Heritage Council. The folly was built in 1843 as a small stone house, complete with a chimney, on a hilltop overlooking Rossnowlagh beach and Donegal bay. It was built by the owners of nearby Coolbeg House, which was in a valley, so the folly provided a convenient tea house, with wonderful panoramic views. During the event we will be explaining the key elements of the conservation programme. This is an opportunity to get some brisk exercise with a walk to the site from the road, to enjoy the views over Donegal Bay and to learn about the history of the family, why the folly was built and to understand the key philosophy of conserving a heritage structure 'as found', as opposed to a full restoration of every element of the original.
There is limited parking on the roadside at the bottom of the hill where the folly is located. Please be aware that access to the site is via a steep grass covered hill, with an uneven surface.
The Follies Trust is very grateful to the owner of the folly, John Meehan , who is kindly providing access to the site for this event and for the conservation work.
We regret that because of the location of the folly, at the top of a field which is normally used for grazing cattle, the route up to the folly is not only steep but very uneven so not suitable for wheelchairs

Address
Reynold's Folly, Co. Donegal