Discover Tallanstown

Tallanstown is picturesquely situated on the River Glyde. Protected structures, a historic graveyard and the Vere-Foster Slí na Sláinte route give the town a distinctive cultural and historical character. If you are considering a stay in Tallanstown, you can use these varied stops as a guide: they range from church and school history to archaeological traces and a route through the town.

Church and school history

The Catholic Church of St Peter is a protected structure dating from around 1780. Tallanstown National School is also protected and dates from 1840. The original school building was erected in 1840, closed as a school in 1966 and is now used as a community centre. The two structures therefore point to different periods in the town’s history; the school building also shows the transition from educational use to its present-day use.

Along the Vere-Foster Slí na Sláinte route

The route begins in the town centre at the statue of Vere Foster. He was the founder and first president of the Irish National Teachers Organisation. In 2012, Tallanstown Old Graveyard was a stop on the route, where information about the history of the graveyard and those buried there could be read. Check the signage and the condition of the route locally, as this description dates from that year.

The route passes the Old Graveyard; the Lord Louth burial monument is directly opposite. Catholic and Protestant graves in the graveyard date back to the 17th century. Its Gothic Revival gateway dates from 1868. This stop brings burial and architectural history together. Louth Hall Castle can also be seen from the route.

Archaeological traces and surroundings

The motte in the park is Tallanstown’s most significant archaeological feature. Nearby is Glyde Court, Vere Foster’s family seat. The building is now a ruin and is located about two miles from Tallanstown. The statue in the town centre and the former family seat are different points of reference to Vere Foster; the approximate distance helps you distinguish between them when planning.

Getting around and travel

Tallanstown is on the R171 regional road, which connects the town with Ardee to the south and Dundalk to the north. The Louth County Development Plan 2021–2027 also listed a public bus route between Dundalk and Ardee, as well as a weekly Local Link service to Dundalk. Check current services before your trip. The R171 and the bus services mentioned provide different ways to get your bearings; when planning bus travel, pay particular attention to the distinction between the route and the weekly Local Link service.

Other historical landmarks in County Louth

County Louth also offers historical sites with a different focus. Old Mellifont Cistercian Abbey in Tullyallen near Drogheda was Ireland’s first Cistercian monastery. The complex has a two-storey, octagonal lavabo. In Monasterboice, County Louth, the round tower and high crosses are defining features of one of the finest examples of early Christian monastic culture. The Tall Cross, also known as the West Cross, is 6.5 metres high and Ireland’s tallest high cross. Muiredach’s Cross, also known as the South Cross, is 5.5 metres high and fully intact. Its carvings depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments; two playful cats can be seen at the bottom of the shaft. Tallanstown’s historical landmarks include its church, school, graveyard and motte; in County Louth, the monastic complex at Old Mellifont and the high crosses at Monasterboice offer a contrast.

Discover more destinations: Ardee, Lower Jenkinstown, Termonfeckin, Stabannan, Drogheda, Dunleer, Carlingford, Bettystown.

For the wider travel overview: County Louth.