Queensland Places - Rosewood - "Glendalough"

The residence known as Glendalough is an important and enduring part of Rosewood’s history and dates from the early 1900s.  Glendalough as it exists today is the result of quite major renovations and additions undertaken by former Rosewood storekeeper Thomas Ernest Bulcock, as well as other changes made to the property by subsequent owners.  He had acquired the site in late 1910 and it is believed that there was already a small cottage or residence in existence, but this was not large enough for his needs.  Having just married Edith Bourke, Bulcock went about renovating and enlarging the existing building, partly to achieve larger living space, but also as a way to distinguish the house from its neighbours.

These changes and renovations appear to have been undertaken in two stages.  The first stage created the living room, dining room, central hallway, three bedrooms, kitchen as well as verandahs on three sides.  The second stage added a large billiard room to the south side and a sleeping room and verandah also to the south.  In due course, the home passed out of the Bulcock family’s ownership, with this occurring in around 1923/4.

For many years the residence was a focus for the social life of the district, demonstrating the high social standing of the Bulcock family as well as the success of Thomas Bulcock’s business interests.  This success enabled Thomas to expand what was originally a small cottage into a grand family residence.

In acknowledgement of the historic importance of Glendalough to the historic fabric of Rosewood, it is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.

Brian Randall - Queensland Places Coordinator, State Library of Queensland