At this point, relying on a fortune left to him by his mother and deriving in part from slave-estates on Montserrat in the West Indies, the then Walter Laurence built an imposing mansion known as Belview just outside the town, set in an impressive parkland.

In 1782 the Irish Parliament was freed from English control in domestic matters, and the then Colonel Walter Lawrence built a monument, known as the Volunteer Arch, with a Latin inscription which translates as ‘Liberty after a long servitude was won on 16 April 1782 by the armed sons of Hibernia, who with heroic fortitude regained their ancient laws and established their ancient independence.’ In the 1780s the Prince of Wales visited Belview.

Fairs were held on 8 May, 22 August and 15 December, for cattle, sheep and pigs; there was a market house, octagonal in shape and supported by arches, through which carts of produce could pass to be weighed.

In addition to Walter Lawrence at Belview, other gentry had residences near the village: P. Blake at Gortnamona, Simeon Seymour at Somerset House and the Rev.

Facilities in the village include the community hall, the national school, two pubs and a shop, as well as a children's playground and a bee and butterfly garden.