Charlesfort, Kells, Co Meath

by jenjunebugMay 15, 2025June 15, 2025

Charlesfort, Kells, Co Meath

Mark Bence-Jones. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.

p. 81. “(Tisdall/IFR) A two storey house of ca 1800, with a lower wing. Hall with Corinthian columns. Drawing room in early C18 style, with panelling. Library with simple frieze. Interior rearranged by Rev Daniel Beaufort. Sold ca 1971.”

Not in National Inventory

Record of Protected Structures:

Charlesfort House, townland: Athgaine Little, town: Cortown.

Detached, five-bay, two-storey over basement house, c.1812, with shallow hipped roof.

The Landed Gentry and Aristocracy: County Meath. Volume 1. Art Kavanagh, 2005.

Tisdall of Charlesfort.

Houses a-d

Picture 1526298877, Picture

Charlesfort House

Charlesfort House, Cortown, Kells was erected and lived in by the Tisdall family. A low rectangular house Richard Castles prepared plans for the house which was later re-modelled by Daniel Beaufort and William Murray. The house which was erected in the 1740s was re-modelled in the 1780s and again about 1841. Mulligan said the house has an elegant entrance hall. The library, dining room and drawing room all have regency style plasterwork. The limestone porch is probably a late 19^th century addition.

In 1668 Michael Tisdall leased the manor of Martry from Nicholas Darcy. Michael lived at a house at Bloomsbury and called it Mount Tisdall. It is not clear if he erected that house. His grandson, Michael Tisdall, was M.P. for Kildare, Castlebar and Ardee in the late 1600s and early 1700s. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Charles.

Born in 1719 Charles Tisdall began the erection of a new house in April 1742. He selected an elevated and dry site at Athgaine, away from the river. It is said that a doctor advised him to move away from the river for the good of his health. Charles purchased a volume of books on Palladio’s architecture. The famous architect, Richard Castles, was paid £20 in 1743 for providing a plan for the house and supervising some of the work. Charles Tisdall attended the first performance of Handel’s Messiah in April 1742 in Dublin. Charles maintained an account of the building of the house and also recorded his tree planting for the years 1740-1751. In 1741 Charles planted 50 pear trees, 150 apple trees and 1,000 beech trees. In 1744 he planted 1,000 oak trees and 800 ash trees. More ash and elm trees were planted in 1746. The slates for the house were purchased from Reilly in Ballyjamesduff. Charles probably moved into Charlesfort in 1753. The following year, 1754, aged 34, Charles married Hester Cramer. In December 1755 their son, Michael, was born, and in October 1756 another son, Charles, was born. Charles, the father, died in 1757, aged 37 and was buried in Martry graveyard.
Michael Tisdall inherited the estate but only took control on his coming of age in 1776. Additions were carried out to the house for Michael Tisdall, which were designed by Rev. Daniel Beaufort of Navan. Michael was High Sheriff of Meath in 1781. He died in 1794 aged 39 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Charles Arthur.

Charles Arthur took over the estate at 21 years of age in 1803. Charles married Elizabeth Vernon of Clontarf Castle in 1807. In 1811 Charles was appointed High Sheriff for Meath. In 1813 the house underwent some works. Charles had an interest in religion and wrote and distributed two books attempting to persuade his tenants to convert to Protestantism. In 1824 he attended a meeting in Navan to found a branch of the Reformation Society. He stated that as a Magistrate “he was disgusted with the vice and immorality, the insincerity and want of truth in the commonest transactions” that he encountered. In the 1830s Charlesfort was described as the residence of Mr. C.A. Tisdall and a good two storey house with an extensive and well laid out demesne. Charles died in 1835 aged 53.

John Tisdall took over the estate in 1836 at 21 years of age, the year after his father’s death. The following year he married Isabella Knox. Their eldest child, Charles Arthur, was born in 1838. John provided a site for a Protestant Church at Athgaine Great. In 1883 John Tisdall held 3,962 acres in Meath, 493 in Limerick and 575 in Kilkenny a total estate of 5,030 acres. John died in 1892. John’s eldest son, Charles, had died in 1869. His second son, John Knox, appears to have been estranged from his father. John Knox’ son, also called Charles Arthur, born in 1875, inherited the estate on his grandfather’s death in 1892. As a young man he joined the Irish Guards and was reluctant to return to Ireland to take over Charlesfort. Robert Heuston leased Charlesfort from Major Tisdall. From Belfast Heuston was a noted polo player and resided at Charlesfort until 1904. Two of Major Tisdall’s uncles, Henry Chichester Tisdall and Vice-Admiral Vernon Archibold Tisdall also farmed portions of the estate. In 1904 half the estate was sold to the tenants.

Major Tisdall organised train trips for the estate children to Dublin, once to see Queen Victoria in 1900 and on another occasion to watch army drills at the Vice-Regal Lodge in the Phoenix Park. Major Tisdall was a talented musician and a pupil and friend of Sir Edward Elgar who visited Charlesfort. Elgar said when he visited the house “Charlesfort will never die, because it is built on a magic hill.’

In 1914 Major Tisdall was killed just a month after World War I broke out, killed in action in the retreat from Mons in Belgium. The Major’s brother, William, came to live at Charlesfort in 1904, inherited in 1914 and remained there until his death in 1954. During the First World War William stabled army horses at Charlesfort and tilled some of the land for vegetable growing. William was High Sheriff of Meath in 1921. He purchased the first tractor in the area and also the first wireless, which he invited local people to come and listen to. He also gave drives in his car to the local children at the parties he hosted on the estate. William’s son, Michael, was in the British army and was accidentally killed in 1940 during a military training exercise. He was 37 years old. William’s wife also died the same year. Five years later William married a second time. His wife was Una Palmer Burke from Ballina. William died aged 78 in 1954.

William was succeeded by his cousin, Dr. Oliver Tisdall. Oliver and his family came to live on the estate in 1955 and he immersed himself in the running of it. When Oliver Tisdall came to Charlesfort he was unable to find the key for the Protestant church as the key had been mislaid some years before. After rummaging he came across a key which fitted the lock. Locals were surprised with the label on the key which read “the dungeon of Martry.” Apparently the key for the police cell at Martry RIC police barracks also opened the Protestant church. Oliver died in 1964 and his widow sold the property in 1968.

In recent years the Hogan family have rescued the house and have restored it.

There is considerable further information in “Charlesfort – The story of a Meath estate and its people, 1668-1968” by Tony Coogan and Jack Gaughran and also on the Ask about Ireland, Irish Libraries website.

see https://lordbe lmo ntinnorthernireland.blogspot.com/2022/04/tisdall-of-charlesfort.html

THE TISDALLS OWNED 3,962 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY MEATH

This is a branch of the ancient family of TISDALL in England, which bore arms “three pheons argent on a shield sable.” When, in 1679, Richard St George, Ulster King of Arms, ratified and confirmed the arms to Michael Tisdall, of Mount Tisdall, County Meath, and his brothers, he added “a thistle or,” for distinction, as is stated in the original certificate in Ulster’s office.

The first of the family in Ireland was MICHAEL TISDALL, who had a sister, Catherine.

This Michael Tisdall was of Castleblayney, County Monaghan; he had issue, by his wife Ann (née Singleton), seven sons and two daughters, namely,

MICHAEL, of whom presently;

James;

Thomas;

John;

Richard, father of Philip Tisdall;

George;

William, of Carrickfergus; father of William Tisdall;

Catherine; another daughter.

The eldest son,

MICHAEL TISDALL, of Mount Tisdall, County Meath, purchased in 1668 the Manor of Martry, County Meath (wherein the mansion of Charlesfort stands).

He was Secondary of the Court of King’s Bench in Ireland, and JP for County Meath in 1679, when arms were granted to him and his brother James by Henry St George, Norroy and Ulster King of Arms.

Mr Tisdall married, in 1666, Anne, daughter of the Rev William Barry, Rector of Killucan, brother of Sir James Barry, Knight, 1st Baron Santry, Lord Chief Justice of the King’s Bench in Ireland, and had issue,

WILLIAM, his heir;

Michael;

Catherine; Elizabeth.

The elder son,

WILLIAM TISDALL (1668-1725), of Mount Tisdall, wedded Frances, third daughter of the Hon Robert FitzGerald, and sister of Robert, 19th Earl of Kildare, and by her had issue,

MICHAEL, his heir;

George (Rev Dr).

Mr Tisdall was succeeded by his elder son,

MICHAEL TISDALL (1672-1726), MP for Ardee, 1713-26, who espoused Catherine, daughter of the Rt Hon William Palmer, Principal Secretary in Ireland, Secretary for War, and Commissioner for Appeals, MP for Castlebar, 1695-9, 1703-13, and had issue,

CHARLES, his heir;

Michael;

Catherine; Frances.

He was succeeded by his elder son,

CHARLES TISDALL (1719-57), of Mount Tisdall, who built a new house on his manor of Martry, and called it CHARLESFORT, which has since been the designation of the family.

He married, in 1754, Hester, daughter of Oliver Cramer, second son of Oliver Cramer, of Ballyfoyle, County Kilkenny, by Hester his wife, daughter of Sir John Coghill, Knight, LL.D, Master in Chancery, and had issue,

MICHAEL, his heir;

Charles.

The elder son,

MICHAEL TISDALL (1755-94), of Charlesfort, County Meath, High Sheriff of County Meath, 1788, wedded, in 1779, Juliana, daughter and co-heir (with her sister Jane, who married George, 1st Baron Headley) of Arthur Blennerhassett, of Ballyseedy, County Kerry, and had issue,

CHARLES ARTHUR, his heir;

James (Rev);

Archibald, rear-admiral in the Royal Navy;

Juliana; Catherine.

Mr Tisdall wedded secondly, the widow of the Rev _______ Crow.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

CHARLES ARTHUR TISDALL (1782-1835), of Charlesfort, High Sheriff of County Meath, 1811, who espoused, in 1807, Elizabeth, daughter of John Vernon, of Clontarf Castle, County Dublin, and had issue,

JOHN, his heir;

William;

Archibald, major-general in the Army;

James;

Juliana; Henrietta; Elizabeth; Maria; Frances.

Mr Tisdall was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN TISDALL JP DL (1815-92), of Charlesfort, High Sheriff of County Meath, 1841, who married, in 1837, Isabella, daughter of the Hon George Knox, and had issue,

Charles Arthur, died unmarried 1869;

John Knox, father of CHARLES ARTHUR;

George William;

Henry Chichester;

Vernon Archibald;

Richard Louis;

Arthur James;

Alfred Oliver (Rev);

Harriet Elizabeth; Isabella Maria; Anne Charlotte.

Mr Tisdall was succeeded by his grandson,

CHARLES ARTHUR TISDALL (1875-1914), of Charlesfort, Major, Irish Guards, who wedded, in 1904, Gwynneth May, only child of Charles Adshead, and had issue, two daughters, of whom one was born in 1907.

In 1914 Major Tisdall died, just a month after the 1st World War broke out, killed in action in the retreat from Mons in Belgium.

The Major’s brother, William, came to live at Charlesfort in 1904, inherited in 1914 and remained there until his death in 1954.

During the 1st World War William stabled army horses at Charlesfort and tilled some of the land for vegetable growing.

William was High Sheriff of County Meath in 1921.

William’s son, Michael, was in the army and was accidentally killed in 1940 during a military training exercise.

William Tisdall’s wife also died the same year. Five years later William married a second time. His wife was Una Palmer Burke from Ballina.

William died aged 78 in 1954.

William was succeeded by his cousin, Dr Oliver Tisdall, who came with his family to live on the estate in 1955 and he immersed himself in its activities.

Dr Tisdall died in 1964; his widow sold Charlesfort in 1968.

In recent years the Hogan family have rescued Charlesfort House and restored it.

Charlesfort (Image: Hogan’s Farm)

CHARLESFORT, near Kells, County Meath, is a Georgian house comprising two storeys with a lower wing.

The original house is said to have been built in the 1740s; remodelled in the 1780s; and again in 1841.

The hall has Corinthian columns, and the drawing-room – in the early 18th century style – contains panelling.

Charlesfort (Image: Hogan’s Farm)

There is a frieze in the library.

The interior is said to have been rearranged by the Rev Daniel Beaufort.

Brittas, Nobber, County Meath

by jenjunebugMay 15, 2025

Brittas, Nobber, County Meath

p. 48. “(Bligh, sub Barrington/IFR) A house of several periods. The long garden front consists of a plain C18 centre, of one bay on either side of a curved bow, prolonged to the right by a four bay wing of similar style and height, added soon post 1800 to the design of Francis Johnston; and with, on the left, an earlier wing which is lower and now has mullioned windows. The entrance front is C19 Tudor Revival, of cut stone, with mullioned windows and a doorway with latticed side-lights recessed under an arch below the central gable. Small entrance hall. Room in central bow with simple C19 cornice. Frieze with garlands in dining room. Ballroom in Johnston wing, with elaborate early C19 plasterwork frieze and straight entablatures over four doorcases.”

Record of Protected Structures

Brittas, townland: Brittas. Town: Nobber.

It was the seat of the Bligh family since the 17th century. Built c. 1800. Francis Johnston is supposed to have worked on the house. A rectangular two -storey house with a wide hipped roof and a four bay ballroom to the East.

https://ww w.fa cebook.com/stephenstown66/posts/2094246730894258?__tn__=K-R

Brittas is a beautiful, proper estate, nestling in the Co. Meath countryside, the river Dee flowing through its northern boundary towards Whitewood lake .
At one time the land belonged to the Cruise family but in the 17th century a cadet branch of the Blighs settled here in what possibly began as a hunting lodge . The Blighs had many notable ancestors/relations ( some quite distant) , including Bloody Mary, Oliver Cromwell and of course Captain Bligh of the Bounty.
The senior( Rathmore) branch of the family , Earls of Darnley, Barons Clifton , had their seat at Clifton Lodge near Athboy and had almost 22,000 acres in Meath during the 1870s. Cobham hall in Kent was their English seat and they had over 9,300 acres there in the 19th century, indeed they lived here until the 1950s. The 2nd Earl, Edward Bligh was grandmaster of the Freemasons, installed 1737, and it was on his “ watch” that the prince of Wales received his first degree in said fraternity.
Ivo Bligh( later 8th Earl of Darnley) , a well known cricketer was associated with the pursuit of the newly termed ” Ashes” from the Australians after the ” death ” of English cricket in 1882. I have included a family tree amongst the photos.
The Bligh house at Brittas is an amalgamation of periods. Viewing from the garden front the main 18th century block has 1 bay either side of a bow. To the right is an early 19th century ballroom of 4 bays added by Francis Johnston .On the opposite end is an earlier ” wing”, probably built just after the main block .
Viewing the house from the entrance front the “central ” block is somewhat Tudor revival in appearance, with cut sandstone and mullioned windows. Internally, the older parts have lower ceilings while the 
” newer” parts have the more grand tall ceilings of the later Georgian period. The house does feel welcoming and comfortable.
Some notable Blighs who lived here included 
General Thomas Bligh (brother of the Earl of Darnley) , who built a mausoleum ( or perhaps just memorial )for himself in a splendid spot with a marvellous view down to his house. He is allegedly buried beneath the mausoleum with his horse, although it’s more likely he’s interred in the family tomb at Rathmore. He fought in the raid on Cherbourg and named the wood at Brittas Cherbourg wood,indeed Cherbourg was used as a middle name in the family latterly . He also planted the famous tree formation know as ” Battlefield ” which copies his troops positions in a battle during the 7 years war , most of the trees survive today . 
Frederick Arthur Bligh was a renowned photographer of the late Victorian/Edwardian period who won many awards. His favourite camera still sits in Brittas. In the 1911 census Frederick Arthur is in residence with his wife Mary (Wentworth Forbes) , their daughter Gwendolen and 6 servants including Gwendolen’s French governess. The house apparently had 31 rooms used by the family.
The last of the Bligh family to live at Brittas was the aforementioned Gwendolen Bligh , who married Brigadier Croker Barrington . 
Mrs Barrington lived at Brittas until the 1990s. 
Following a period of extensive renovations, the current owners of the Brittas estate are Oinri Jackson and Neville Jessop who run this private estate as closely to authentic traditional ways as possible nowadays. Some extremely fine horses are to be found here today . I wish to thank them for their hospitality , old photos and informative conversation.

https://theirish a esthete.com/2017/05/17/hopes-of-a-happy-immortality/

The memorial shown here is situated on rising ground at Brittas, County Meath and is inscribed as follows: ‘Beneath this Monument Are interred the remains of Thomas BLIGH, Lieutenant General of his Majesty’s  forces. General of horse at the battles of Dettinggen, Val, Fontenoy and Melle. And the commander in chief of British Troops at Cherburg, Who after spending many years In the service of his country with unwearied application Retired to a private life Therein toprepare his old age For a change to a better state And to enjoy with unspeakable comfort Thehopes of a happy immortality. Born A.D. 1695 Died Aug. the 17th, 1775 Aged 80 years.’ To one side of the monument are planted a series of trees ranked in the same formation as were the general’s troops during one of his campaigns. To the other the land drops away to offer a view of the house where he retired to enjoy the aforementioned private life and to prepare for ‘a happy immortality.’

https://m ea thhistoryhub.ie/houses-a-d/

Brittas House is located 2km west of Nobber village. It was the home of the Bligh family for over 200 years until 1998.

Brittas House is a rectangular two-storey house with a wide hipped roof and a four bay ballroom to the east. It is simply decorated and resembles Galtrim House, outside Trim. When I visited the house I remember stepping through the long eighteen pane sash windows extending to the ground which were in the ballroom at the garden front. Casey and Rowan described it as ‘overblown picturesque in appearance now”

The main section of the house was built in 1732 and incorporates an earlier residence which dates from 1672. In 1826 it was described as “a handsome villa, recently enlarged and much improved, after the designs of Mr. Francis Johnston”. The noted Irish architect, Francis Johnson, designed the later section of the house in 1803. In 1837 Samuel Lewis agreed with the previous account and described Brittas as “the handsome villa of Thos. Bligh, Esq., whose demesne, containing about 400 acres, is well planted.” Today the demesne amounts to 280 acres. The rolling countryside of the drumlins provide a backdrop to Brittas House and the landscape was designed in the eighteenth century to compliment the house.

The mature woodlands within the demesne were laid out by the house builder, Thomas Bligh, to represent the battle formation of the army at his battles on the continent.

The builder of Brittas House was Thomas Bligh, younger brother of John Bligh, first Earl of Darnley. Thomas was Member of Parliament for Athboy in 1715 and joining the army he reached the rank of Lieutenant General. He was commander in chief of the British forces when they fought the French at Cherbourg in 1758. His taking of the deserted Cherbourg was one of the actions of the Seven Year War. His attack on St. Malo resulted in a retreat by the English forces with a loss of 1000 men. A mausoleum commemorates Thomas at Brittas but he is buried in Rathmore where a plaque commemorates his victories.

When Thomas Bligh died the estate passed to his nephew, Thomas Cherburg Bligh. Thomas Cherburg Bligh married his cousin, Lady Theodosia Bligh, daughter of John, 3rd Earl of Darnley. Thomas Cherburgh Bligh was made MP for Athboy and later MP for Meath by his cousin and father in law, the Earl of Darnley, but he fell out with him and challenged him to a duel on a number of occasions. In 1820 he was bound over to the peace to prevent him annoying the Earl and his family.

Major Frederick Arthur Bligh lived at Brittas in the late nineteenth century. He held the rank of Major in the service of the Royal Artillery and also the office of Justice of the Peace. He was appointed to the office of High Sheriff of Meath in 1904. He fought in the First World War.

His daughter, Gwendoline Bligh, married Brigadier Croker Edmund (Edward) Barrington who was killed in Burma in 1944 during the Second World War. Mrs. Barrington, a noted dog breeder in particular Alsatians, continued to live in the house until her death in 1990. The house together with 280 acres was sold in 1998 prior to auction.

Bridestream House, Knocknatulla, Co Meath

by jenjunebugMay 15, 2025

Bridestream House, Knocknatulla, Co Meath

p. 47. “A mid C18 house consisting of a two storey pedimented block with small square wings or pavilions. The fenestration of the centre block has been much altered and a large porch added; but it is possible to attribute the house to the amateur architect Nathaniel Clements, from the similarity of the wings to the wings of other houses by Clements or attributed to him. In 1814, the residence of John Coates.”

https://meathhistory h ub.ie/houses-a-d/

Bridestream House is located at Calgath, Kilcock. Bridestream is a detached two storey over basement house. Bridestream has been described as a miniature Palladian house. Bence-Jones said it was possible to attribute the house to the amateur architect, Nathaniel Clements, from the similarity of the wings to the wings of other houses by Clements or attributed to him.

Dating from around 1740 fragments of the eighteenth century garden survive behind the house with its horseshoe shaped pool. To the south of the house is the site of a dried up lake. A belt of trees formed the boundary of the estate demesne.

In 1761 Richard Barry was the occupier of Bridestream. In 1786 Bridestream was the seat of Mr. Hill. In 1798, it became the home of Sir Percy Gethin and on the lawn there Sir Fenton Aylmer rallied his yeomen after the Battle of Kilcock. In 1801 Mathew Bathurst was the landowner at Bridestream.

John Coates of Culcor, married May 1803 Sarah Frances Bomford in 1803. They lived at Bridestream House, about a mile south of Culcor, and had four children. John held Culcor from Mrs Bewely of Dublin. From at least 1814 the Coates resided at Bridestream. In 1835 Bridestream House was described as a neat two storey house slated building in Cologagh townland, Roddanstown with Mr. John Coates as resident. In 1876 Matthew W. Coates of Bridestream held 741 acres in Meath. In 1880 Matthew Coates, salesmaster of Smithfield, Dublin and Bridestream was adjudged a bankrupt. During the late twentieth century the Lane family lived at Bridestream House.

Bective House, Bective, Co Meath

by jenjunebugMay 15, 2025

Bective House, Bective, Co Meath

p. 35. “(Bolton/LG1863; Wachman, sub Daly/IFR) A plain two storey house of ca 1790. 7 bay front, enclosed porch with fluted Doric columns; five bay side. Good staircase hall. The childhood home of James Stern, the writer; sold to William Bird 1922. Recently the home of Norman Wachman, who sold it to the Tower Cement Mines Co.”

Not in national inventory

Record of Protected Structures:

Bective House, townland: Balgill, town” Bective C1790 incl arched yard, stables, NE lodge, West Lodge, 19thC.

The Landed Gentry and Aristocracy: County Meath. Volume 1. Art Kavanagh, 2005.

Bolton of Bective Abbey p. 43.

p. 43. Richard Bolton …first emerges as a recorder of the city [of Dublin] in about 1606/7…p. 44…in 1618 the year in which he was made solicitor-general.

It was while serving in this port that he published, in 1621, a selection of The Statutes of Ireland….made Chief Baron of the Exchequer and within a year, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, replacing Sir Adam Loftus (later Viscount Ely)…

The Chancellorship was a position of some considerable importance. As head of Chancery he served as keeper of the Irish Great Seal which was applied to letters issued in the king’s name. The Lord Chancelor was entitled to a moiety (half share) of the income derived from such writes and an annual salary of £500. Significantly his acquisition of Bective coincides wiht his appointment to the position, and based on his predecessors, holding the position of Chancellor seems to have been a prerequisite to obtaining the abbey property.

Located within the Pale, the 12C foundation at Bective was one of the first great Irish monastic houses to fall under the seemingly rancorous dissolution policy of Henry VIII. The Abbey and its 4,440 acres in Meath were seized and the secularisation of the religious buildings commenced under Thomas Agard, known as “Agard of the mint” because of his position as vice-treasurer of the Mint in the Tudor administration.

Agard’s possession of the monastery seems to have been short, perhaps reflecting financial difficulties, and in 1544 it passed, again for a brief period, to Sir John Alen, the Lord Chancellor and head of the commission for the dissolution of the monasteries. …

p. 45. Bective next passed to the Treasurer of Ireland, Anthony Wyse…following his death in 1567, Bective passed to his son in law, Sir Alexander Fitton, and afterwards to his son-in-law Sir Bartholomew Dillon, a Chief Justice who resided across the Boyne at Riverstown Castle and who in 1595 had married Catherine Litton. Bective seems to have declined after this period and in 1619 the abbey was described as deserted.

Sir Richard Bolton restored some stability to the ownership of the property and his descendants established a possession of the property that endured until the end of the 19C. However from the late 17th century, the Bolton family was chiefly resident in Brazeel, an important 17^th century house in north County Dublin while Bective Abbey was leased to others including Thomas Taylour, whose descendants, in recognition of this, became Earls of Bective. A smaller residence on the site, now incorporated into the present Bective House, appears to have been provided for the Bolton family’s occasional presence on their Meath estate.

p. 46. Sir Richard had barely taken up office amid the gathering tensions of the mid seventeenth century that spectacularly flared with the Catholic rising of 1641. Barely had he acquainted himself with the duties of office when he was subjected, wiht others, to impeachment proceedings for high treason. These had been initiated, it has been claimed, by Catholic members of the commons – an intrigue that has to be placed in the context of the circumstances surrounding teh abiding crises of the mid 17c. … he managed to have the proceedings against him dropped and was immediately reinstated to the chancellorship.

p. 47. The high point of his career came when he was central to the negotiations in 1643 conducted by the Earl of Ormonde, between the King and the Confederate Catholics which led to a temporary truce and military support for Chalres I, in his conflict with parliament. Bolton’s name also heads the signatories of the proclamation issued in 1646 announcing the terms of so-called first Ormonde Peace.

Richard Bolton was first married to Frances Walter who came from his home county of Staffordshire…with whom he had several children and at least one son, Edward. Notwithstanding the circumstances of his election to parliament in 1613 and later accusations that he was “much opposed to concessions to Roman Catholics in Ireland” he formed an alliance with one of the most important old Catholic families of the Pale when he took Margaret Barnewall of Turvey , widow of Luke Netterville, as his second wife. Her father, Sir Patrick Barnewall… the eldest of the 11 children of Sir Christopher Barneweall, high sheriff of Co. Dublin, he was already prominent as the leading opponent of Sir Arthur Chichester , p. 48] when as Lord Deputy Chichester attempted to compel Catholic attendance at services of the established church, applying the rigours of the Castle Chamber to those who refused. Pehaps not as threatening as the Westminster court it sought to emulate, its penalties to deviants varied from pillory to whipping to the barbarity of removing the ears of the accused. Barnewall was successful in having this regime suspended. In 1646 Patrick Barnewall’s eldest son Nicholas, in recognition of services during the English civil war was created Viscount Kingsland and Baron of Turvey by Charles I.

Bolton’s eldest son, Sir Edward Bolton, who had been knighted in 1635, followed his father’s career when as solicitor-general he was appointed Chief Baron of the Exchequer in 1640, but it is stated that he was later “removed by the usurping powers. Notwithstanding this he inherited the Bective estates on his father’s death in 1648 and in 1651 under the parliamentary government obtained another official post as Commissioner for the administration of justice in Ireland.

p. 49. After Sir Edward, who died in 1705, the Bolton family’s political importance appears to have diminished considerably and at Brazeel he was succeeded by a succession of Richards, Edwards and Roberts who remain largely obscure. Early in the 18C Edward Bolton of Brazeel married Letitia Molesworth, younger sister of the famous incarcerate Lady Belvedere. He served as MP for Swords…

By the late 18C when Taylour Earl of Bective had moved to his newly built neoClassical mansion Headfort, near Kells, Bective Abbey ceased to function as a residence and once abandoned eventually became ruinous.

The property then belonged to another Edward Bolton, an officer of the royal horse guards and it was his eldest son by his first marriage, Robert Compton Bolton, who appears to have been the last of the family to have been associated with Brazeel before its destruction by fire in about 1810. Perhaps it was because of the destruction of the house that his eldest son, Richard, renewed the family’s interest in the Bective estate when shortly before 1836 he commenced preparations to shape the present demesne.

.p. 51. ..Richard became JP and married Frances Bomfort of nearby Rahinston…Frances along with her sisters inherited the estate of her brother Robert-George Bomford when he died in 1846. …Rahinston was sold in 1852 through the Encumbered Estates Court under the direction of dame Annette Hesketh, Frances Bolton’s older sister.

It appears that the ruins of Bective Abbey and surrounding farm had, by 1862, come into the possession of Rev. George H. Martin, Rector of Agher, who was related to the Bolton family, his father Rev Charles Rudinge Martin (d. 1847), 4^th son of John Martin of Blackrock, Cork, having eloped with Frances Bolton’s younger sister, Susan Bomfort, in 1826. Martin transferred the Abbey, now a National Monument, to the Commissioners for Public Works in 1894. Richard Bolton’s death does not seem to have taken place until 1868 (according to a monument at Bective Church) in in 1876 his widow still appears in possession of the estate.

p. 52. Robert the brother of Richard of Bective Abbey was married to Maria Arthur of Seafield, Co Dublin, and hey had a son whoul was probably the last of the Boltons of Bective. He was John Marshall Botlon, and he went off to South Africa.

Watson of Bective, p. 213.

John Watson (1852-1908)

The Watsons were a Quaker family; members of the petty gentry who had been established in Carlow by the early 17^th century after John Watson from Cumberland obtained a lease of lands at Ardristan from the Earl of Ormond. It is claimed that they were descended from the Rutland based Wtson family who were raised to the peerage in the early eighteenth century to the Marquisate of Rockingham [see Jimmy O’Toole the Carlow Gentry]. The family’s principal seats were in Carlow, at Kilconnor and Ballydarton.

John the first of the family died in 1675 so it is unlikely that he came to Ireland any sooner than 1650. He would certainly not have been welcomne during the Great War of 1641-9 when Protestants of any persuasion were, to say the least, not encouraged to live in the rural south east. It is more liekly that he settled at Kilconnor in the aftermath of the Cromwellian clearance. He may have come to Ireland after the Restoration when the Duke of Ormonde regained much of his estates and some more in recognition of his loyalty tot he king, Carles II. The Duke was the titular owner of the lands in the Fenagh area where Watson settled. The family managed to acquire a number of properties in the area including Ballydarton and later Lumclone which became the main family seat.

John Watson the founding father was not a Quaker, but his grandson became one. Watson had an only daughter who married Robert Lecky, another post Cromwellian and neighbouring landlord.

It was John Watson III who became a member of the Society of Friends and built the meeting house at Kilconnor in 1678. The Watsons remained Quakers for the next five generations. As dissenters they would have been porhibited from holding any official posts. Despite this obvious handicap to advancement the family prospered and in due course they acquired two further properites at Lumclone and Ballydarton (Fenagh). This lead to three distinct branches of the family, all descended from Samuel of Kilconnor who was born in 1682, the eldest son of John Watson III.

Samuel of Kilconnor had two sons John of Kilconnor and Samuel of Ballydarton. John continued on the Kilconnor line down to John Lecky Watson.

Houses a-d

Bective House

Picture 100317114, Picture

Bective House

Bective House is located on the banks of the river Boyne, just downstream from Bective Abbey. One of the entrance gates is on the Trim-Navan road. In the 1820s Richard Bolton erected a new house in Grange townland downstream from the abbey, making the most of the local scenery. Described as ‘a cottage’ in 1836 and ‘a handsome modern residence’ in 1837 the house is linked to the river and also to the abbey. Named ‘Bective House’ to emphasise the continuity of the estate it was also occasionally recorded as ‘Bective Abbey’ or ‘Bective Lodge’. The house is in an understated architectural style in the spirit of Francis Johnston. The front is seven bay with a side elevation of five bays. Indoors the plan was simple. The main house is two rooms deep on a tripartite plan with a large and restrained central stair hall.

Bective house was surrounded by a wide expanse of parkland, dotted with clumps of trees and secluded from the outside world by perimeter belts of trees. The plantation of these trees and creation of parkland led to the walling in of the demesne and the re-routing of the Trim-Navan road. Impressive ashlar gateways were erected at each entrance to estate with gate lodges at each and an additional number of houses to cater for workers on the estate. The gate lodge at the Trim entrance was erected in 1852 and is adorned by the Bolton crest. A walled garden was constructed near the house which provided produce for the family and household. Later the garden produced roses and vegetables for sale.

Following the dissolution of Bective monastery the estate passed though the hands of various civil servants, none of whom had the time to pay any great attention to its development but the abbey was converted into a mansion.

The Bolton family acquired Bective in 1630. The transfer of the manor of Bective from Bartholomew Dillon to Edward Bolton took place on 10 August 1630. Sir Richard Bolton was Lord Chancellor of Ireland in 1639 and established himself at Brazeel in north County Dublin.

Richard Bolton was born about 1802 and inherited the manor of Bective after the death of his father. The family home at Brazeel was destroyed by fire in 1810. Bolton did not live at Bective until the late 1820s.

In the 1820s Bolton established himself at Bective. Bolton married Frances Georgina Bomford of Rahinstown. Richard Bolton was High Sheriff of County Meath in 1828. Richard Bolton provided the site for a new national school at Robinstown, Balbradagh townland, in 1840 and became patron of the new school. His father, Robert, had provided a site for a chapel and school in 1800. In the mid 1850s a dispute arose between Mr. Bolton and the local priest as to the right to visitation and the appointment of teachers. This became a bitter dispute which was finally resolved in 1861 when Bective School at Robinstown became a non vested school and Bolton’s influence ceased.

Bolton was a resident landlord, residing on his estate and being close to his tenants and took an active interest in the development of his estate. Mr. Justice from Dublin was the agent in 1836 and Mr. Tisdall, who resided locally was agent in 1861. Bolton erected a house for the estate, walled in the demesne and erected a parish church. As the patron of the parish and the owner of the tithes Bolton decided to erect a church for his tenants and servants. Designed by Joseph Welland the church was erected on lands provided by Bolton and the cost of construction was also met by Bolton. The church was consecrated 15 June 1853 and enlarged in 1858. A glebe house was also erected in 1853. He was determined to stamp his footprint on his estate at Bective, becoming a landscape architect through the creation of a demesne. Bolton acquired his own coat of arms and crest. The motto he adopted was Deus providebit meaning ‘God will provide’. In Griffith’s Valuation of 1854 Bolton was the landlord of the entire parish of Bective and also held lands nearby at Shanbo, in the parish of Rataine. Richard Bolton died in 1868 and was buried in his church at Bective.

Francis Georgina Bolton died in 1884 and bequeathed Bective to her nephew, Rev. George Henry Martin. George Henry Martin died in 1896, aged 63. Bective was bequeathed to his fourth child, Mary Louisa, who lived there from perhaps as early as 1895. She farmed Bective for a period but later sold the house to John Watson and the majority of the estate to the Land Commission.

John Watson purchased Bective House and demesne after retiring from the army. He was master of the Meath Hunt from 1891 until 1908 when he died. Watson erected kennels for the Meath Hunt at Bective. Watson was highly regarded as a huntsman and well known for his temper. An active polo player he created a team at Bective and introduced the game to America. Watson died at Bective House in 1908 after which the estate was put up for sale.

Following Watson’s death Bective was acquired by Captain Henry Stern, late of the 13^th Hussars. In 1912 Bective house was altered for Captain Stern. The Sterns were unsettled by the troubled times in the early 1920s.

An American paper manufacturer, Charles Bird, came to Meath to hunt in the early part of the twentieth century. In 1926 Bird with two friends put in a bid of £3,000 for Bective only to be amazed when a telegram arrived in the States saying “Congratulations, you own Bective”. The syndicate wished to become involved in hunting in Ireland. When the friends sold their shares, the Birds owned the place outright. The house and garden were rejuvenated. The estate’s most famous horses, Heartbreak Hill, came sixth in the 1932 Grand National at Aintree and won steeplechases all over Ireland. The steward at Bective was Tom Lavin whose daughter was Mary Lavin, the short story writer. George Briscoe, who had sold the neighbouring estate and house at Bellinter, took over the management of Bective in 1952. Briscoe and his wife moved into the wing at Bective. The Tara Harrier kennels and Briscoe’s horse were re-located to Bective. Bird became the joint master of the Meath Hunt so there were two hunts centred at Bective.

In 1960 the Birds and the Briscoes moved across the river to Assigh and Bective House became home to Norman Wachman until the mid 1970s. Wachman allowed the Tara Harriers to continue using the kennels at Bective and began to develop a stud farm.

Bective was purchased by Michael Wymes in 1975. Wymes, a major shareholder in Bula Mines, developed a pheasant shoot on the property. In July 2006 Wymes sold Bective House and demesne.

https://theirishaesthete.com/20 22/09/17/bective-gate-lodge/

God will Provide

Sep17by theirishaesthete

In a rather sorry state, this is the front lodge to Bective, County Meath. In the mid-19th century, the estate was laid out by then-owner Richard Bolton who added two lodges, one of them – seen here – in Tudoresque style, the front looking onto the avenue having two arched projections, one accommodating a large mullioned window, the other an entrance porch. Above the latter is a plaque featuring a hawk from the Bolton crest and the family motto ‘Deus Providebit’ (God will Provide). Smothered in cement render and dating from 1852, the building’s design has been tentatively attributed by J.A.K. Dean to Dublin architect William George Murray. Towards the end of the last century, the whole estate went into decline but it was bought a few years ago and the land is now a stud farm. The other lodge, classical with a Doric loggia, has been restored and is now used as a tea room. One must hope a similar revival awaits this building.

Baltrasna, Oldcastle, Co Meath

by jenjunebugMay 14, 2025May 15, 2025

Baltrasna, Oldcastle, Co Meath

p. 30. “(O’Reilly/LGI1912) A house with a gable-end which is possibly a fragment of an earlier C18 house, of two storeys with quoins and shouldered architraves round the windows.”

Record of Protected Structures:

Baltrasna House, townland: Baltrasna.

The present house with its gable end is a fragment of an earlier 18th century house of 2 bays, 2-storeys, quoins and shouldered architraves on windows. Incl. gates and Gate lodge (derelict).

Casey, Christine and Alistair Rowan. The Buildings of Ireland: North Leinster. Penguin Books, London, 1993.

p. 120. – is this the same? In Louth. See Louth.

https://m ea thhistoryhub.ie/houses-a-d/

Baltrasna is located to the south of Oldcastle in the parish of Moylough. Baltrasna House was erected in 1764 by James O’Reilly, who lived there till his death. In 1836 the house and out buildings were in a ruinous state. The present house of two storeys incorporates fragments of the older house.

Myles O’Reilly, Myles the Slasher, died, defending the bridge of Finea in 1644. His son, John, fought at the Battle of the Boyne for Catholic King James but was allowed to keep his lands. He died in 1717 and was buried at Kill. John O’Reilly of Cavan established himself at Ballymacad, Co. Meath. He was a supporter of James II and was M.P for Cavan in 1689. He raised a regiment to support James II. His youngest son, Thomas, was the ancestor of the O’Reillys of Baltrasna. Thomas served in his father’s regiment in support of James. Thomas had eight sons and was succeeded by his third son, James. Both Thomas and James had difficulty surviving financially and the estate was held by the Chancery for a period of seven years when it was let to Mr. Vaolley of England who put the demesne under tillage. Eighth son of Thomas was Alexander who was born in 1722.

Alexander became a general in the Spanish Army and Governor of Cadiz. Because of his service to Spain he was created a count and a Grandee of Spain of the First Class. In 1769 Alexander was appointed Governor of Louisiana. Louisiana was named after Louis XIV of France and was a French colony until taken by Spain in 1763. Alexander landed at New Orleans and invited all the French leaders to a banquet. Full with wine and food the leaders were arrested. Executing five of the six men earned him the nickname “Bloody O’Reilly.” A descendant of his, Alexander O’Reilly, was surgeon general of the US army 1902-1909.

James O’Reilly of Baltrasna married Catherine Tuite of Newcastle and was succeeded by his son, Thomas. Thomas was an officer in the army and he was succeeded by his son, James in 1805. James married Henrietta Nugent and was High Sheriff of Meath in 1803 and High Sheriff for Cavan in 1804. In 1836 the townland of Baltrasna was in the possession of Anthony O’Reilly who resided in Dublin.

James was succeeded by his third son, Anthony, in 1853. Anthony married Alicia Fortescue of Newtown, Meath and was succeeded by his son, James William Fortescue O’Reilly who was born in 1841. High Sheriff of Cavan in 1845 James married twice. His daughter Olivia Blanche O’Reilly married William Wade of Clonabreaney. James was succeeded by his nephew, James Watts-Russell in 1855. He took on the name O’Reilly in order to inherit the estate. In 1883 James O’Reilly of Baltrasna held an estate of 4,589 acres in Meath and Cavan. His daughter, Harriet, married Matthew Weld O’Connor, son of Rev. George O’Connor, rector of Castleknock. The couple lived at Baltrasna. A land agent, Matthew, was unpopular among the local tenants.

The Murdock family purchased the estate in the early twentieth century. Samuel and Annie Murdock were recorded in the house in 1911. Samuel was an auctioneer. The family sold it in 1946 to Mrs Crocker. The state was then divided.

There are two tombs to the O’Reilly’s of Baltrasna in Kill graveyard, Kilnaleck, Co. Cavan. Both record the founder of the family, Colonel John O’Reilly who died in 1717. In one of the vaults there are two coffins said to float when the water table rises with heavy rainfall. The coffins which are probably lead lined would not float. The two coffins are said to belong to a woman who married into the O’Reilly family and her child. It is said that the vault was erected over a spring and that following rain the water rises in the vault covering the coffins. This can be viewed through openings in the vault.

Ballymagarvey, Balrath, Co Meath – wedding venue

by jenjunebugMay 14, 2025

Ballymagarvey, Balrath, Co Meath

p. 24. “Two storey five bay gable-ended mid-C18 house with a steep pediment. Battlemented tower, probably C19. The seat of the Osborne family.”

https://ww w .ballymagarvey.ie/your-wedding/manor-house/

Not in national inventory

Record of Protected Structures:

Ballymagarvey House, townland: Ballymagarvey

Detached five-bay, two-storey mid to late C18 house, with

pediment, moulded window surrounds and quoins, later C19

square porch. Good ranges of outbuildings and walled

garden.

Casey, Christine and Alistair Rowan. The Buildings of Ireland: North Leinster. Penguin Books, London, 1993.

p. 150.

Houses a-d

Ballymagarvey House at Balrath, Navan was described by Casey and Rowan as a two-storey gabled house of mid to late 18^th century with a later 19^th century square porch. There was a good number of outbuildings and a walled garden. The main avenue went by the graveyard with a secondary avenue from the Dublin road.

In 1836 the house was occupied by Mrs. Osborne. Nearby stood the Blacklion public house which took its name from the sign over the door. In the 1850s the house was held by Rev. Charles Osborne and some of the land was held by Margaret Osborne. The house was occupied by Euphemia E. Hodson.

In 1887 Balfour Stewart, a Scottish physicist died at his home at Ballymagarvey. His first studies were in the field of radiant heat and he later became director of Kew Observatory. In 1870 he became professor of physics at Owens College, Manchester.

Robert Edward Going lived for a number of years at Ballymagarvey. His eldest son, John, was born at Ballymagarvey in 1890 and went on to serve in the Sudan. In 1911the Ainsworth family were living at the house.

Today the house provides a luxury venue for weddings, conferences and other gatherings. There are also seven restored cottages in the courtyard. Set on 107 acres of parkland the house also provides nine luxurious rooms.

Ballygarth Castle, Julianstown, Co Meath

by jenjunebugMay 14, 2025

Ballygarth Castle, Julianstown, Co Meath

p. 22. “(Pepper/LGI1912) A tall tower-house with a two storey three bay castellated wing added to it. The old tower has C18 or early C19 battlements and a tripartite Gothic doorway.”

Not in National Inventory

Record of Protected Structures

Ballygarth Castle, townland: Ballygarth, town: Julianstown

Medieval Tower House of three storeys, adjoining an early

19thC entrance tower and three-bay Georgian block of 1782

http://www.patrickcomerford.com/search/lab el/castles?updated-max=2017-03-10T11:30:00Z&max-results=20&start=79&by-date=false

Outside, in the late afternoon, the bare branches of the winter trees gave us clear views of the ruins of Ballygarth Castle on the eastern edges of Julianstown. The ruins stand on the banks of the River Nanny and the castle is first mentioned in 1372.

Ballygarth Castle was built over a number of separate building phases. The original three-storey tower house has been enlarged over the years, with a line of crenellations and Gothic details added to the windows.

The castle was part of the Netterville family estate until the 1641 Rebellion, when it was forfeited to the Crown and the Netterville family moved to Dowth. One of the earliest mentions of Julianstown is at the Battle of Julianstown in 1641, which took place near the bridge.

On the eve of Oliver Cromwell’s attack on Drogheda in 1649, his Parliamentarian army camped on the lawns of Ballygarth Castle.

With the restoration of Charles II in 1660, Ballygarth Castle and the surrounding estate became the property of the Pepper family from Ardee, Co Louth.

The Pepper family supported James II during the Williamite rebellion, and Ballygarth Castle and estate was confiscated once again after the Battle of the Boyne. But this was a temporary setback and the Pepper family managed regained ownership.

The legend of ‘the White Horse of the Peppers’ has been perpetuated in story and later in a play by Samuel Lover, which tells how the confiscated castle and lands were recovered largely through the saga of a white horse belonging to Ballygarth Castle. A white horse was always kept on the estate as a symbol of the family’s gratitude.

For generations, Julianstown was the seat of the Moore family who lived in Julianstown House. The land on which the present village sits was leased to Francis and Mary Thornburgh (née Moore) in 1763 by William Moore.

The land was further subleased to Colonel Charles Pepper of Ballygarth Castle in 1801. In 1856, the Pepper family made this lease perpetual under the legislation of the day and around 1889 the Pepper family built the cottages that can be seen in the village today.

These Swiss Cottages on Main Street form a series of six attractive cottages said to be based on a design that Major Charles Pepper saw in Switzerland. Major Pepper also built cottages in neighbouring Stamullen.

Ballygarth estate is reputed to be the last place in Ireland where oxen were used for ploughing up to 1907. An ox-collar or harness, made by Thomas Oonan of Julianstown, is preserved in the National Museum of Ireland.

Ballygarth Castle remained in the hands of the Pepper family until Colonel Charles Pepper died in 1927.

https://meathhistoryh ub.ie/houses-a-d/

Ballygarth Castle is located on the south bank of the Nanny River near Julianstown. Ballygarth castle first appears in records in 1372. This tower house was added to with a Georgian block in 1782. It was further enlarged in the nineteenth century. Part of the castle was damaged on the night of the Big Wind in 1839. In 1867 architect William Louch drew up plans for alterations and additions to Ballygarth for Thomas Pepper. In 1889 architect Robert John Stirling drew up plans for alterations and additions including a new billiard room with neo-classical decoration for Major Charles Pepper. The grounds slope down to the river. Nearby is a limekiln and a dovecote.

In medieval times Ballygarth was the property of the Netterville family. The lands were granted to Captain George Pepper after the Cromwellian confiscation. The Peppers were confirmed in their estates by Charles II.

The Peppers sided with James II at the Battle of the Boyne and their lands were confiscated. George Pepper’s lands at Ballygarth were confiscated after the battle of the Boyne and an English officer arrived in Ireland to take over the estate. George’s foster brother Rory came up with a plan to secure the lands. Acting as a guide for the English officer he took him on a long circuitous route. Rory made the officer’s horse throw a shoe and then took him five miles to Duleek to the blacksmith. The shoeing took a long time and the officer took a room in the inn for the night. The following morning his guide had disappeared. The blacksmith’s son took on the role and he too took the officer all over the country. As night was beginning to fall they saw a light in the distance and decided to take shelter for the night. As the officer stabled his horse he saw a fine white horse in the stable. He was welcomed to the castle by George Pepper, the officer had arrived at Ballygarth without knowing it. He was well entertained but got no more information on the whereabouts of Ballygarth Castle. In the morning the officer decided to give up his quest and told his host that he would trade the title deeds for Ballygarth for the fine horse in the stable. The deal was done and ever after a white horse was maintained at Ballygarth. This story is also sometimes set in Cromwellian times. The poet, Thomas Moore, immortalised the story in “The White Horse of the Peppers.” This drama was a mid-nineteenth century success which was witnessed by Queen Victoria herself. A headless white horse is said to canter in the fields of Ballygarth at the stroke of midnight.

George was succeeded by his eldest son, Simon who married Rose Lambert. Their son, George, may be the character in the story. George was High Sheriff of Meath in 1724 and he married Anne Taylour, daughter of the first baron of Headfort. Their son, Thomas Pepper of Ballygarth was MP for Kells for 1761-76. His cousin, Lord Bective, provided him with the seat.

In 1772 Thomas Pepper married his cousin, Henrietta Long, and they had four daughters and eight sons, many of whom pursued careers in the military and in the East India Company. In 1885 a grandson of Thomas Pepper, Lieutenant William Lowry was killed in action in Canada during the Riel rebellion.

Thomas Pepper’s son, also Thomas, represented Kells and voted in favour of the act of Union in 1800. His brother George succeeded.

Their brother, Lieutenant Col. Charles Hampden Pepper, commanded the 27^th regiment for sixteen years and served in Italy under Sir John Stuart. In the Peninsula War he served under Wellington of whom he was a great admirer. He assembled a fine collection of Wellingtonia which was kept in one room of the castle.

In the 1830s Ballygarth Castle, the seat of Lieut.-Col. T. Pepper, was picturesquely situated on the banks of the Nanny water; the demesne, which was well wooded, comprised 486 statute acres, and contains the ruins of the ancient parish church.

George was succeeded by his nephew, Thomas St. George Pepper, son of Charles Hampden Pepper. In 1876 Thomas St. George Pepper of Ballygarth Castle held 1,884 acres in County Meath. He died unmarried in 1884 and was succeeded by his brother, Charles.

Charles Pepper of Ballygarth Castle was Colonel of the Royal Meath Regiment and Provincial Grand Master of the Freemasons of Meath from 1895 to 1927. Colonel Pepper supported the church at Julianstown including providing funds for a steeple. Charles Pepper was responsible for the charming estate houses at Julianstown which were erected around 1897. Ballygarth was one of the last places where oxen were used to pull a plough, they were used at Ballygarth up until 1907. Colonel Charles Peppard died in 1927. In later years he lived at Laytown. Miss Wintle-Pepper lived at Ballygarth until her death in 1979. The castle was purchased by the Delaney’s who had farmed the home-farm attached to the castle for years.

Ardsallagh, Navan, Co Meath

by jenjunebugMay 8, 2025March 23, 2026

Ardsallagh, Navan, Co Meath

p. 11. [French/LGI1912] Tudor revival house of 1844; with steeply pointed gables and dormer-gables, oriels, mullions and tall chimneys.”

*Ardsallagh House, Navan, Co. Meath, June 1955, by Alexander Campbell Morgan, Morgan Aerial Photographic Collection, National Library of Ireland*.

Not in National Inventory

Record of Protected Structures

Townland: Ardsallagh, tow: Navan

Neo-Tudor house of 1844, with steeply pointed gables and

dormer gables together with oriels, mullions and tall

chimneys. Incl. St. Brigid’s well and gate lodge.

The Landed Gentry and Aristocracy: County Meath. Volume 1. Art Kavanagh, 2005.

Preston of Ardsallagh & Bellinter.

http://www.navanhistory.ie/index.php?page=ardsallagh

The Nangles were granted the barony of Navan in the 1170s by Hugh de Lacy and they erected a castle at Ardsallagh. The Nangles lost their lands in the Cromwellian plantations.  John Preston purchased much of the former Nangle properties and in this manner managed to acquire 7,859 acres in Co. Meath and Laois (Queens) Co. Preston placed 1,737 acres in trust for the keeping of two schools, one in Navan and another in Ballyroan, Queens Co. (Laois). Preston’s heir was his grandson, John of Ardsallagh. His daughter, Mary, inherited the property as her brother Phineas had died young.

Mary married Peter Ludlow, M.P. who in his old age became afflicted by gout and had to be carried in and out on men‟s shoulders. Their son, Peter, MP for Co Meath, was created Baron Ludlow of Ardsallagh in 1755 and in 1760 created Viscount Preston and 1st Earl of Ludlow. Peter, the first Earl died in 1750 and he was succeeded by his eldest son, Peter, 2nd Earl of Ludlow, MP for County Huntingdon. Ardsallagh House had well designed formal gardens and a carefully designed landscape. Dean Swift and the Delaneys were regular visitors and many descriptions of the eighteenth century house and gardens survive. The house was described as a good house with some good pictures. Mrs Delaney wrote had difficulty describing the gardens saying that nothing could be wilder or more romantic. There was a grotto in an old stone quarry with statues of Hercules, Atlas and other Greek and Roman characters. Clipped yew hedges were set out like the walls of Troy. Lord Ludlow and the Ardsallagh estate provided 5s worth of bread each week for the poor of the parish. The loaves were placed in St. Mary‟s church. The Duke of Bedford continued this charity until 1907. 

In 1836 Ardsalla was the residence of Earl Ludlow. The south east portion of the townland was laid out to form a demesne and deer park. Ardsalla House with its outbuildings stood on the banks of the river. There are very good oak, ash and elm timber and some fir plantations in the demesne.

The third Earl Ludlow willed the property to the Earls of Bedford  who took control in 1842. In the mid 1840s the Duke erected the present house, accounts and drawings of which survive in the Bedford Estate Office. Ardsallagh is a Tudor Revival house with steeply pointed gables and dormer gables, oriels, mullions and tall chimneys. This new mansion house for 7th Duke of Bedford, cost £40,000. Wilde writing in1849 said that house looked as if it was half in mourning due to the very black limestone used in its construction. The Duke of Bedford took an active interest in improving the estate and proposed the demolition of the slum houses at Brewshill.

In 1861 the Duke of Bedford died, and Lord John Russell, the British prime minister 1846-52 and 1865-66 inherited the Ardsalla estate. Lord John then asked for a peerage and became Earl Russell of Kingston Russell, and his eldest son became Viscount Amberley of Amberley and Ardsalla. In 1883 Earl Russell of Ardsalla held 3176 acres in Meath and 1017 acres in county Louth. He held no lands in England or elsewhere! His grandson, the third earl and last of the family to own Ardsallagh was the philosopher Bertrand Russell. The Russell Arms Hotel (where the Newgrange Hotel is now located) was erected by the agents of the Duke of Bedford to provide a suitable meeting place for the gentlemen of the county. 

The  French family lived at Ardsallagh in the latter half of the nineteenth century. William John French married Harriet Caufield of Dromcairne. William John of Ardsallagh died aged 63 in 1876. His son, Captain Caufield French was High Sheriff of Roscommon in 1887. Another son, Houston, an army officer, served in the Egyptian campaign of the 1880s. In 1895 he was appointed to the Yeomen of the Guard, achieving command of that body in 1925. He also served in the Boer War. William De Salis Filgate of Lissrenny, Co. Louth married Georgiana Harriett French, eldest daughter of William John French of Ardsallagh. A fire damaged the house in 1903.

Dr. Robert Collins, a distinguished physician lived in the house for a period. John McCann, M.P. lived at Ardsallagh House. A nationalist MP for Stephen‟s Green division in Dublin, McCann, published the newspaper, The Irish Peasant, in Navan. Ludlow Street, Bedford Row, Preston Place and the Russell Restuarant in Navan commemorate the Ardsallagh landowners.

Copied from meath-roots.com

Houses a-d

The Nangles were granted the barony of Navan in the 1170s by Hugh de Lacy and they erected a castle at Ardsallagh. The Nangles lost their lands in the Cromwellian plantations. John Preston purchased much of the former Nangle properties and in this manner managed to acquire 7,859 acres in Co. Meath and Laois (Queens) Co.

Preston placed 1,737 acres in trust for the keeping of two schools, one in Navan and another in Ballyroan, Queens Co. (Laois). Preston’s heir was his grandson, John of Ardsallagh. His daughter, Mary, inherited the property as her brother Phineaas had died young. Mary married Peter Ludlow, M.P. who in his old age became afflicted by gout and had to be carried in and out on men’s shoulders. Their son, Peter, MP for Co Meath, was created Baron Ludlow of Ardsallagh in 1755 and in 1760 created Viscount Preston and 1st Earl of Ludlow. Peter, the first Earl died in 1750 and he was succeeded by his eldest son, Peter, 2nd Earl of Ludlow, MP for County Huntingdon. Ardsallagh House had well designed formal gardens and a carefully designed landscape. Dean Swift and the Delaneys were regular visitors and many descriptions of the eighteenth century house and gardens survive. The house was described as a good house with some good pictures. Mrs Delaney wrote had difficulty describing the gardens saying that nothing could be wilder or more romantic. There was a grotto in an old stone quarry with statues of Hercules, Atlas and other Greek and Roman characters. Clipped yew hedges were set out like the walls of Troy.

Lord Ludlow and the Ardsallagh estate provided 5s worth of bread each week for the poor of the parish. The loaves were placed in St. Mary’s church. The Duke of Bedford continued this charity until 1907.

The third Earl Ludlow willed the property to the Earls of Bedford who took control in 1842. In the mid 1840s the Duke erected the present house, accounts and drawings of which survive in the Bedford Estate Office. Ardsallagh is a Tudor Revival house with steeply pointed gables and dormer gables, oriels, mullions and tall chimneys. This new mansion house for 7th Duke of Bedford, cost £40,000. Wilde writing in1849 said that house looked as if it was half in mourning due to the very black limestone used in its construction. The Duke of Bedford took an active interest in improving the estate and proposed the demolition of the slum houses at Brewshill.

His grandson, the third earl and last of the family to own Ardsallagh was the philosopher Bertrand Russell. The Russell Arms Hotel (where the Newgrange Hotel is now located) was erected by the agents of the Duke of Bedford to provide a suitable meeting place for the gentlemen of the county.

The French family lived at Ardsallagh in the latter half of the nineteenth century. William John French married Harriet Caufield of Dromcairne. William John of Ardsallagh died aged 63 in 1876. His son, Captain Caufield French was High Sheriff of Roscommon in 1887. Another son, Houston, an army officer, served in the Egyptian campaign of the 1880s. In 1895 he was appointed to the Yeomen of the Guard, achieving command of that body in 1925. He also served in the Boer War. William De Salis Filgate of Lissrenny, Co. Louth married Georgiana Harriett French, eldest daughter of William John French of Ardsallagh. A fire damaged the house in 1903.

Dr. Robert Collins, a distinguished physician lived in the house for a period. John McCann, M.P. lived at Ardsallagh House. A nationalist MP for Stephen’s Green division in Dublin, McCann, published the newspaper, The Irish Peasant, in Navan.

Bernadette Murray has written a detailed account of Ardsallagh townland.

Ludlow Street and Bedford Row in Navan commemorate the Ardsallagh landowners.

Ardmulchan, Beauparc, Co. Meath

by jenjunebugMay 7, 2025March 23, 2026

Ardmulchan, Beauparc, Co. Meath

p. 10. [Taaffe; Galvin, sub. Law] “Originally a house of the Taaffe family; bought 1904 by Mrs. F.G. Fletcher (later Mrs R.W. McGrath), who replaced it by an Edwardian mansion to the design of Sidney, Mitchell & Wilson, of Edinburgh; mostly in the plan, gabled and mullioned Tudor manor house style, but with a large Baronial tower, and an English Renaissance doorway: an elaborate confection of coupled Doric columns, a Doric frieze, scroll pediments and heraldic beasts. In recent years, it was the home of Mr & Mrs Riddell-Martin; it in now the home of Mr and Mrs Sean Galvin.”

Not in National Inventory

Casey, Christine and Alistair Rowan. The Buildings of Ireland: North Leinster. Penguin Books, London, 1993.

p. 122

Record of Protected Structures:

Ardmulchan House, townland: Ardmulchan.

Tudor/Scotch baronial style, dated 1904, of red brick with

Dumfries sandstone window dressings and elaborate

renaissance doorcase. Contemporary stables and farmyard.

http://www.navanhistory.ie/index.php?page=church-ruins

Ardmulkin Demesne – Ordnance Survey Fieldname Book 1836

The demesne is situated in the north west part of the townland of Ardmulchan.  It is the seat of R. Taafe Esquire.  There is a good dwelling house with office houses and a garden.  The River Boyne and the Drogheda Canal bounds it to the northwest.  It is bounded on the southeast by the road from Navan to Drogheda.

(above) Ardmulchan House viewed from across the river at Dunmoe Castle.

Ardmulchan Castle is a Scottish Baronial cum Elizabethan hunting lodge dating to 1904. The house was built for a Scottish landowner, Fitzroy C. Fletcher, who died before the house was completed.  Set dramatically high up on the south banks of the river Boyne below Navan the house has been described as a Scotsman’s house in Ireland by Casey and Rowan.  The house was built for entertaining with five guest bedrooms and plenty of space for staff.  It has a very ornate porch, front door and portico.  The house had its own electricity provided by a powerhouse near the river with the front door of the old house was re-used as the door of the powerhouse.  The tower of the house with its battlements stores the water tanks.  The long internal hall is at right angles to the door with the principal rooms overlooking the Boyne.  The hall has high oak panelling.  The rooms have plasterwork ceilings created by G. Rome & Co, a firm which practised in Dublin and Glasgow.  All the rooms have elaborate chimney pieces and a number have angle nooks.

The Taaffes acquired Ardmulchan in the eighteenth century and erected a plain Georgian style house overlooking the river.  The family burial ground is at Ardmulchan cemetery. Taaffe‟s lock on the Boyne Canal commemorates their financial contribution to the canal company.

Fitzroy Charles Fletcher of Angus in Scotland married Frances May Grant, from Australia in 1890. Fletcher enjoyed hunting and regularly visited his friend, Robert Gradwell of Dowth Hall, County Meath.  Fletcher rented Slane Castle from the Conynghams for a number of hunting seasons, hunting in Ireland from November to March Fletcher decided to purchase a permanent residence in Ireland.  With the assistance of Gradwell he found and purchased Ardmulchan House in 1900. The existing Georgian style house was not suitable for Fletcher’s requirements and he decided to demolish the house and replace it with a hunting lodge.

The architect Fletcher selected was a Scotsman Sidney Mitchell of Edinburgh.  Materials and workmen were despatched from Scotland.  Lord Aberdeen, the Viceroy, appealed to Fletcher to use Irish craftsmen and materials but to no avail.  Apart from some welding on some dog grates the rest of the works was all provided by Scottish workers.  The sandstone for the windows was carved from a quarry on Fletcher’s Scottish estate and transported by ship to Drogheda and then by barges along the canal to Ardmulchan.  All the materials with the exception of the bricks were also Scottish.  Casey and Rowan wrote that Fletcher can hardly have been popular in Meath for importing such a quantity of tradesmen.  Fletcher’s poor health forced him to delegate much of the work and decisions to the manager of his Scottish estates, James Stirling.

Construction made good progress but Fletcher died in August 1902. His will provided for £7,000 for the completion of Ardmulchan.  His wife Mary Frances was given a life rent of all her husband’s estates.  Thomas Fletcher inherited Ardmulchan on the death of his mother.  A noted horse breeder and huntsman, Thomas was director of Proudstown Park racecourse, Navan, from its inception in 1921.  During the 1930s the house was rented to Sir Alexander Maguire of Maguire and Patterson matches. In 1939 his horse “Workman” won the Grand National, an event celebrated in Navan with an address by the Urban District Council to Sir Alexander.  After the Second World War Thomas Fletcher moved across the Boyne to Dunmoe cottage and he died in 1950.

The Fletcher family remained in ownership of Ardmulchan until 1956 when the house and estate were sold to Anthony Riddell Martin and his family.  When his young daughter died in she was interred in Ardmulchan cemetery and Riddell Martin had the intervening woods cleared so that the grave and cemetery could be viewed from the house.  During the late 1960’s the castle was owned by a German called Von Trapp and the estate was managed by an Englishman Hogarth. In 1973 it was purchased by Sean Galvin as a family home and is still in use as a family home today.  Kathleen G. Mac Leman recorded much detail of Ardmulchan in her book; Fitzroy C. Fletcher of Letham Grange and Ardmulchan. A few years ago the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society was graciously allowed to visit the house courtesy of its owners.

SOURCE:  meath-roots.com

Houses a-d

Ardmulchan Castle is a Scottish Baronial cum Elizabethan hunting lodge dating to 1904. The house was built for a Scottish landowner, Fitzroy C. Fletcher, who died before the house was completed. Set dramatically high up on the south banks of the river Boyne below Navan the house has been described as a Scotsman’s house in Ireland by Casey and Rowan. The house was built for entertaining with five guest bedrooms and plenty of space for staff. It has a very ornate porch, front door and portico. The house had its own electricity provided by a powerhouse near the river with the front door of the old house was re-used as the door of the powerhouse. The tower of the house with its battlements stores the water tanks. The long internal hall is at right angles to the door with the principal rooms overlooking the Boyne. The hall has high oak panelling. The rooms have plasterwork ceilings created by G. Rome & Co, a firm which practised in Dublin and Glasgow. All the rooms have elaborate chimney pieces and a number have angle nooks.

The Taaffes acquired Ardmulchan in the eighteenth century and erected a plain Georgian style house overlooking the river. The family burial ground is at Ardmulchan cemetery. Taaffe’s lock on the Boyne Canal commemorates their financial contribution to the canal company.

Fitzroy Charles Fletcher of Angus in Scotland married Frances May Grant, from Australia in 1890. Fletcher enjoyed hunting and regularly visited his friend, Robert Gradwell of Dowth Hall, co. Meath. Fletcher rented Slane Castle from the Conynghams for a number of hunting seasons, hunting in Ireland from November to March Fletcher decided to purchase a permanent residence in Ireland. With the assistance of Gradwell he found and purchased Ardmulchan House in 1900. The existing Georgian style house was not suitable for Fletcher’s requirements and he decided to demolish the house and replace it with a hunting lodge.

The architect Fletcher selected was a Scotsman Sidney Mitchell of Edinburgh. Materials and workmen were despatched from Scotland. Lord Aberdeen, the Viceroy, appealed to Fletcher to use Irish craftsmen and materials but to no avail. Apart from some welding on some dog grates the rest of the works was all provided by Scottish workers. The sandstone for the windows was carved from a quarry on Fletcher’s Scottish estate and transported by ship to Drogheda and then by barges along the canal to Ardmulchan. All the materials with the exception of the bricks were also Scottish. Casey and Rowan wrote that Fletcher can hardly have been popular in Meath for importing such a quantity of tradesmen.

Fletcher’s poor health forced him to delegate much of the work and decisions to the manager of his Scottish estates, James Stirling. Construction made good progress but Fletcher died in August 1902. His will provided for £7,000 for the completion of Ardmulchan. His wife Mary Frances was given a life rent of all her husband’s estates.

Thomas Fletcher inherited Ardmulchan on the death of his mother. A noted horse breeder and huntsman, Thomas was director of Proudstown Park racecourse, Navan, from its inception in 1921. During the 1930s the house was rented to Sir Alexander Maguire of Maguire and Patterson matches. In 1939 his horse “Workman” won the Grand National, an event celebrated in Navan with an Address by the Urban District Council to Sir Alexander.

After the Second World War Thomas Fletcher moved across the Boyne to Dunmoe cottage and he died in 1950. The Fletcher family remained in ownership of Ardmulchan until 1956 when the house and estate were sold to Anthony Riddell Martin and his family. When his young daughter died in 1952 she was interred in Ardmulchan cemetery and Riddell Martin had the intervening woods cleared so that the grave and cemetery could be viewed from the house.

During the late 1960s the castle was owned by a German called Von Trapp and the estate was managed by an Englishman Hogarth. In 1973 it was purchased by Sean Galvin as a family home and is still in use as a family home today.

Kathleen G. Mac Leman recorded much detail of Ardmulchan in her book ‘Fitzroy C. Fletcher of Letham Grange and Ardmulchan.’ A few years ago the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society was graciously allowed to visit the house courtesy of its owners.

Weston, Duleek, County Meath

by jenjunebugMarch 21, 2025March 21, 2025

Weston House Thomastown Duleek, Duleek, Co. Meath courtesy Lisney Sotheby’s March 2025

A92YH70

€2,250,000, 5 Bed, 5 Bath, 693 m²

*Weston House, Thomastown Duleek, Co. Meath courtesy Lisney Sotheby’s March 2025*.

A beautifully restored five-bedroom, five-bathroom Georgian country estate, originally built in 1827 and enhanced during the Victorian era, this magnificent home spans 693 sqm (7,459 sq ft) on 38 acres.

The property includes several outbuildings, staff quarters with two one-bedroom apartments, a one-acre walled garden, and a scenic one-kilometre walking trail.

Upon entering, you are greeted by soaring 3.5m-high ceilings, intricate cornicing, and elegant oak flooring, creating a timeless atmosphere. The grand entrance hallway leads to an impressive drawing room with tall sash windows that flood the space with natural light and frame picturesque, south-facing garden views.

Adjacent, the formal dining room mirrors the grandeur of the drawing room, extending 7.7m in length and offering an elegant setting for entertaining. This space flows seamlessly into a charming country-style kitchen with high-end appliances and bespoke cabinetry. Double doors open onto a large rear terrace, overlooking manicured gardens and a private tennis court.

The library exquisitely finished with American walnut panelling, custom cabinetry, and a beautifully restored fireplace. Fireplaces are also present throughout the main reception rooms and bedrooms, adding warmth and character. A cloakroom, powder room, and communications room complete this level.

Descending to the basement, you’ll find a newly fitted cinema room with bespoke panelling and a 2.8m screen, offering the perfect retreat for movie nights. Adjacent is a spacious gym, ideal as a relaxation space, home office, or yoga studio. A custom-fitted bar leads into a temperature-controlled wine cellar, while two large storage rooms provide flexibility for future use. At the opposite end of the basement, a newly fitted fifth bedroom and contemporary shower room provide additional accommodation, while a well-appointed laundry room ensures functionality.

The top floor hosts four additional bedrooms, two of which share a beautifully designed family bathroom, while the third benefits from its own private en-suite. The master suite is a true sanctuary, featuring his-and-hers dressing rooms and a luxurious bathroom with a freestanding bathtub, walk-in shower, and separate WC, all finished with premium materials.

Situated just two kilometres from the N2 motorway and only 30 minutes from Dublin Airport, the estate is approached through a grand tree-lined entrance. Electric gates open to a sweeping tarmac driveway, leading through a secondary entrance before arriving at the home. Elevated and set well back from the road, the residence has been beautifully restored, preserving its historic charm while incorporating modern comforts.

The meticulously maintained gardens, abundant with mature shrubs, vibrant flowerbeds, and manicured lawns, create a tranquil and picturesque setting. The original walled garden, still intact, serves as a peaceful retreat for gardening enthusiasts.

The estate also includes a large stone and red-brick outbuilding dating back to 1837, offering immense potential for conversion into guest accommodation, event space, or additional facilities. The original coach house has been recently renovated and now comprises two self-contained one-bedroom apartments one on the ground floor and another upstairs, set within a courtyard and surrounded by several smaller outbuildings with excellent development potential. To the rear of the property, a private tennis court provides recreational space, directly accessible from the house. The expansive terrace, extending from the kitchen, is ideal for outdoor entertaining, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living. A one-kilometre private walking trail meanders through the grounds, offering a peaceful retreat immersed in nature. Lovingly maintained by its current owners since 2002, this exceptional estate combines historic grandeur, modern comfort, and stunning surroundings, presenting a rare opportunity to acquire a distinguished country home of extraordinary quality. For additional information, contact Selling Agent James O Flaherty.

Irish Historic Houses

Properties open to the public, on Irish Revenue Section 482

County Meath

Charlesfort, Kells, Co Meath

Brittas, Nobber, County Meath

Bridestream House, Knocknatulla, Co Meath

Bective House, Bective, Co Meath

God will Provide

Baltrasna, Oldcastle, Co Meath

Ballymagarvey, Balrath, Co Meath – wedding venue

Ballygarth Castle, Julianstown, Co Meath

Ardsallagh, Navan, Co Meath

Ardmulchan, Beauparc, Co. Meath

Weston, Duleek, County Meath

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