Tallanstown is set in a picturesque location on the River Glyde. Notable features of the village include the Catholic Church of St Peter, dating from around 1780, a motte in the park and a statue of Vere Foster. Together, these examples show different aspects of the village’s history: religious architecture, archaeological heritage and the remembrance of a figure in education.

Buildings and Local History

The Catholic Church of St Peter is a protected structure dating from around 1780. Tallanstown National School is also listed as a protected structure dating from 1840. The original school building in the village was built in 1840, closed in 1966 and is now used as a community centre. The dates provide two different points of reference for Tallanstown’s building history.

The motte in the park is considered Tallanstown’s most significant archaeological feature. It offers a different historical reference from the church and school building: this is an archaeological feature, not a surviving building from the years mentioned. Anyone interested in the village’s history can distinguish between different kinds of traces in this way, rather than reducing Tallanstown to a single attraction.

The Vere Foster Route and Its Stops

The Tallanstown Vere Foster Slí na Sláinte route starts in the village centre by the statue of Vere Foster. Foster was the founder and first president of the Irish National Teachers Organisation. This gives the starting point a specific local connection to the history of education. Louth Hall Castle is also visible from the route.

Tallanstown Old Graveyard is one of the stops along the route. There, you can read information about the history of the graveyard and those buried there. Catholic and Protestant graves date back to the 17th century; the graveyard’s Gothic Revival gateway dates from 1868. The Lord Louth burial monument is directly opposite. Check the signs and the condition of the route locally before setting out; you should also check the information about the graveyard’s history there.

Another historic site lies outside the village centre: Glyde Court, Vere Foster’s family seat, is about two miles from Tallanstown and is now a ruin.

Getting Your Bearings and Planning Your Trip

Tallanstown is on the regional R171 road, which connects the village with Ardee to the south and Dundalk to the north. This road connection helps place Tallanstown geographically and can serve as a point of reference when planning your journey. When choosing a holiday rental, you can first decide whether you want to focus your stay on Tallanstown’s local history or on other destinations in County Louth.

More to Explore in County Louth

County Louth also has its own cultural and natural landmarks. Old Mellifont Cistercian Abbey in Tullyallen, near Drogheda, was Ireland’s first Cistercian monastery. Carlingford Castle was built around 1190, probably by the Norman baron Hugh de Lacy. In Monasterboice, the Tall Cross, also called the West Cross, is Ireland’s tallest high cross at 6.5 metres. Muiredach’s Cross is 5.5 metres high and fully intact; its carvings include scenes from the Old and New Testaments, as well as two playful cats near the bottom of the shaft.

Nature and outdoor activities are also part of what County Louth has to offer. Stephenstown Pond Nature Park in Knockattin, near Dundalk, has lakeside walking trails, woodland and a wide variety of wildlife. The Carlingford Lough Greenway runs for over 20 kilometres from the village of Carlingford in County Louth to Newry City in County Down. Most of the route follows the southern shore of Carlingford Lough away from traffic and is designed for walking and cycling. Check the route conditions before your trip. These regional attractions complement Tallanstown’s local history, but are separate destinations in County Louth.

Discover more destinations: Dunleer, Collon, Lower Jenkinstown, Carlingford, Bettystown, Drogheda, Dundalk, Ardee.

For the main travel overview: County Louth.