|
|
| |
Co Louth
- Places of Interest
|
|
| |
Beaulieu House & Garden
|
|
Drogheda, Co. Louth
Tel: 041 983 8557 Fax: 041 984 5051
|
 Beaulieu House & Garden, set on the banks
of the River Boyne, presents features that are very
rare in Ireland. The imposing house was built in
1666 by Sir Henry Tichbourne in a Dutch style that
is almost unique in the Republic. It is one of the earliest examples of a non-fortified house of its kind, and its interior is almost
miraculously preserved. Two of the original staircases are still in place while the magnificent 2-storey high
Hall contains an imposing chimney piece, a large cornice and great arched doorways with
elaborate painted pinewood carvings of musical instruments. Amongst the many fine paintings around
the walls are contemporary portraits of William III and Queen Anne, including one by the
court painter Jan Van Wyck that depicts the King at the Battle of the Boyne. There are family
portraits of the Tichbournes whose direct descendant, Mrs Sidney Waddington, is the present owner
of Beaulieu House, the 9th generation of her family to have lived here. Other treasures in the
house include a painted ceiling in the drawing room, done
in the style of Verrio, the 17th century Italian
who decorated Windsor Castle and Hampton Court
Palace, and a white Carrara marble fireplace showing
King Neptune in a shell boat flanked by dolphins.
The Garden at Beaulieu is equally remarkable. It
is one of the earliest of Irish walled gardens, dating
from around 1732, and Mrs Waddington, who is a
keen gardener, has personally tended this delightful spot
for half a century. Definitely a sight not to be
missed, Beaulieu is open from 1st May to
mid-September, Mondays to Fridays.
|
|
|
|
Travel Publishing Ltd, 7a Apollo House, Calleva Park,
Aldermaston, Berkshire, UK RG7 8TN
e-mail:
info@travelpublishing.co.uk
Copyright © 2007 Travel Publishing Ltd |
|
