Beaulieu House, Garden & Car Museum

Louth

Of Dutch architecture and one of the earliest examples of an unfortified house, the garden is an early example of a walled garden.

Beaulieu House, Co. Louth, is situated on the banks of the river Boyne 3 miles downstream from the town of Drogheda. Built by the 'Saint Oliver' branch of the Plunkett family in approx. 1625, as a Jacobean style, 'L' shaped house. Sir Henry Tichbourne, who was first Marshall of the Army in Ireland and Governer General of Draghed at Restoration of Charles II, purchases the lands of Beaulieu in 1650 from the Plunketts.

In the late 17th and early 18th Century the house was redesigned, by the son and grandson of Sir Henry, creating the Dutch style seen today. Evidence of the Jacobean house survives in the roofspace. The present owner - Mrs Gabriel Montgomery DeFreitas (nee Waddington) - is a tenth generation descendant of Sir Henry Tichbourne.

The terraced walled garden is thought to have been designed by Van De Hagen and is one of the earliest examples of an Irish walled garden. Mrs Gabriel de Freitas is an avid gardener and apart from its historical interest the garden is well worth a visit from a horticultural point of view.

The house is the family home of racing driver Gabriel Konig - famous for her exploits in MG Midgets in the late 60's, Camero in the early 70's and who continues in modern Historic racing with an A40 Farina and a very special and unique pair of 70's Vauxhall's. These and other cars have now been brought together to form a Museum of classic cars together with photographs, memorabilia etc.

Situated 3 miles downstream from Drogheda on the north bank of the River Boyne - between the R166 Termonfeckin and R167 Baltray roads.
Sat Nav:53degree43.7N Long: 6degree17.7W.

1 May–mid September,
Weekdays 11.00-17.00.
Weekends: Open only July & August 13.00-17.00.

Guided tour of house €8.00; Gardens €6.00; Motor Museum €6.00

Car Park, Toilets, Guided Tour of House, Garden plants, Postcards, Tea & Coffee or light lunch by pre-arrangement for groups over 12 in number.

Beaulieu House, Gardens and Car Museum,

Drogheda, Co. Louth

Tel: +353 41 983 8557