Beaulieu House and Gardens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beaulieu House |
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Beaulieu House, County Louth
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| General information | |
| Type | Country house |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne, Dutch style |
| Classification | Protected structure (LHS025-002) |
| Location | Beaulieu, near Drogheda, County Louth |
| Coordinates | 53°43′41″N 6°17′37″W / 53.72805°N 6.29358°W |
| Estimated completion | c. 1715 |
| Client | Tichbourne family |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Likely imported red brick |
| Floor count | 3 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Likely a Dutch architect |
Beaulieu House and Gardens is a beautiful old estate located near Drogheda in County Louth, Ireland. It's a special place with a large, terraced garden. The main house was likely built around 1715, but it includes parts of an even older building.
Beaulieu House is unique because it's one of the earliest big houses in Ireland that wasn't built like a fort. Most large homes from that time were designed to protect against attacks. It also stands out because it was built in a special Dutch style, which is quite rare for houses in Ireland. Another similar house is the Red House in Youghal, built around 1703.
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History of Beaulieu House
The land where Beaulieu House now stands has a long history. In the late 1100s, the de Verdun family owned this area. Later, in the early 1300s, the Plunkett family, who were originally from Dublin, became connected to the land through marriage.
During the mid-1600s, the land belonging to Christopher Plunket was taken by the English government after a war. Before the current house, there was an older manor house built in 1628.
A judge named Sir Henry Tichborne was given the lands at Beaulieu in 1666. He had bravely defended Drogheda during a siege in 1642. Sir Henry and his family then rebuilt and developed the estate over many years.
His grandson, also named Henry Tichborne, was given special titles: he became a Baronet in 1697 and later a Baron in 1715. Although he had no sons, his daughter inherited Beaulieu. Over time, the Tichborne family even connected with the family of the famous Admiral Nelson. The house is still owned by their descendants today. Nearby villages like Beaulieu Cross and Beltichburn are named after the house and the Tichborne family.
The walled garden at Beaulieu is very large, covering about 4 acres. It features many different types of plants and beautiful garden designs. In 2021, the owner planned to add solar panels to a part of the property to generate electricity.
Visiting Beaulieu House
Tours and Events
If you want to explore Beaulieu House, guided tours are available on certain days during the summer. It's a great way to learn about the history of the house and its gardens. The estate is also a popular place for special events like weddings, trade shows, and conferences.
Motor Racing Museum
The late owner of Beaulieu House, Gabriel De Freitas, was a descendant of the Tichborne family. She was also a famous female racing driver in the 1960s and 1970s, racing under the name Gabriel Konig. She collected many classic racing cars and luxury vehicles. These cars are now part of a motor racing museum at Beaulieu House. This makes it similar to Beaulieu Abbey in England, which also has a famous motor museum.
See also
- Stackallan House
