Beaulieu House is located 3 miles east of Drogheda just off the Baltray Road. The house overlooks the River Boyne. As it is a family home it is only partly open to the public and it is best to make an appointment if one wishes to visit it. It was built by Sir Henry Titchbourne, Marshal of the Army in Ireland, and Governor of Drogheda, on the restoration of Charles II, King of England. It is believed to be the finest example of Irish domestic architecture to survive from the Restoration. It was built between 1660 and 1666 and probably designed by a Dutch architect. The present owner is direct descendant of Sir Henry.
Inside the impressive house the walls are adorned with excellent family portraits, as well as a superior collection of the works of many famous Irish artists of the early part of the 20th-century.
The family church in the grounds has a mid 15th-century cadaver tombstone (see St. Peter's Church of Ireland and Churchyard) set against one of its walls. Only about a dozen such tombstones survive in Ireland.
The gardens of Beaulieu overlooking the Boyne are also beautiful and at there best during the months of June & July.
Situated North of Dublin, on the banks of the river Boyne, between the town of Drogheda and the Irish sea Beaulieu House was built by Sir Henry Tichbourne then Marshall of the Army in Ireland and Governor General of Drogheda at the time of the restoration of Charles II.
The Plunkett family previously owned the lands of Beaulieu and its castle. |
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One of the earliest examples in Ireland of an unfortified house, Beaulieu was constructed between 1660 and 1666, most probably designed by a Dutch Architect.
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The walls are of rough stone, (possibly from the ruined Plunkett castle believed to have stood adjacent to the present house), and covered in lime render with fine Dutch bricks surrounding the windows and doors. The bricks would have been shipped from Holland to the river Boyne. The original heavier sash windows were replaced in about 1722 for lighter versions; some of the original windows can be seen along the gallery overlooking the magnificent two storey Hall. |
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The grand staircase is Georgian style installed in the early 18th century by Tichbourne III. The original staircase if simpler straight flight design exists to the right of the hall.
Correspondence exists in the ‘Molesworth papers’ between Sir Henry Tichbourne III – Baron Farrard of Beaulieu – and his half brother Lord Robert Molesworth describing the changes to the house during 1720 and 1723. |
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