Welcome to the Ireland Campus

Welcome to Baltimore International College's Ireland campus in beautiful Virginia, County Cavan. Known as the gateway to Ireland's beautiful lake country, the area is filled with many historic and prehistoric sites. Resting 50 miles northwest of Dublin, the 100-acre campus holds the restored Virginia Park estate, which was the sporting lodge and summer residence of the Marquis of Headfort during the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

The lodge of the estate was converted into The Park Hotel, a country resort, in 1939. Baltimore International College added the Virginia Park estate in 1987, and today, The Park Hotel operates as part of the BIC Ireland campus. The Hotel is bordered by acres of wooded and lake-front trails, as well as flower gardens, picnic areas, walking trails, self-catering cottages and a golf course. Culinary arts and hospitality management students must partake in a practicum at the Ireland campus to broaden their educational and cultural experiences, as well as learn the art of European hospitality and cuisine.

Baltimore International College hopes that you enjoy your visit. Céad míle fálte - 100,000 welcomes.

Click on the link to learn more about the BIC Baltimore campus.

The History of the Virginia Park, Ireland Campus

The Marquis of Headfort: Thomas Michael Ronald Christopher Taylour, 7th Marquis of Headfort (1959-present)

History of the Headforts

Thomas Taylor came to Ireland from Sussex County, England in 1653. He purchased land in Headfort in 1736, and later purchased property in County Cavan and Dublin. This land was passed down to his first son, also named Thomas Taylor.

Around 1766, Thomas, the first son, stayed at Headfort while his brother, the Reverend Edward Taylor, took over the property in Dublin known as Ardgillian Castle. Thomas Taylor at Headfort became the first Marquis of Headfort in 1800, a title given by the Queen for service to the country. The family also assumed the new surname of Taylour.

In 1830, Thomas' first son, again named Thomas, became the second Marquis of Headfort and the first Baron of Kenlis (Kells), Lord Headfort. During this time, the woods of Virginia Park were planted. The second Marquis of Headfort was succeeded in 1844 by his son, also named Thomas, who became the third Marquis of Headfort. The third Marquis' first son, Geoffrey, continued to improve Virginia Park and became the fourth Marquis. Geoffrey was also the first son not named Thomas.

Blessed with a green thumb, Geoffrey continued to expand the gardens at Headfort and Virginia Park between 1900 and 1940. Geoffrey's son, Terence, became the fifth Marquis. Thomas Geoffrey, the sixth Marquis, was succeeded by his son, Thomas Michael Ronald Christopher Taylour in 2005. Thomas Michael is currently the seventh Marquis of Headfort, and holds the titles of Baron of Kenlis and Lord Headfort.

Lord Headfort, Horticulturist

Geoffrey, the fourth Marquis of Headfort and Lord Headfort pursued his interest in gardening with great enthusiasm and delight. He sought his plants from far and wide. His rhododendrons grew from unknown seeds from China and Tibet, and were grown as part of a colleague's thesis.

Geoffrey, along with the Dublin and Edinburgh Botanical Gardens, eventually grouped the plants that grew from his worldwide collected seeds into different species and varieties. Some of these varieties can still found on the grounds of Virginia Park.

Lord Headfort often sought the advice of W.J. Bean, a famous horticulturist. Bean advised Geoffrey on the planting of both common and rare trees for the gardens at Kenlis (Kells) and Virginia Park. Geoffrey also served as the president of the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland from 1912 through 1918. The dedication and work he put into creating and planting the gardens and grounds of Virginia Park leave us with a historical landscape of Lord Headfort and the period he lived.

Garden Restoration

The gardens and grounds of Virginia Park have been magnificently transformed as a result of Baltimore International College's (BIC) garden restoration project. A variety of crops and flowers have been planted, and several new walking paths have been constructed to allow visitors convenient access to the various gardens and sites. While the gardens are all equally beautiful, each has a unique history and style that sets it apart from the others.

Kitchen Garden

The Kitchen Garden was revived by planting a variety of fruits and vegetables, which are sufficient enough to supply both BIC and the hotel. The fruit beds along the surrounding garden wall were restructured, adding to the garden's aesthetic value. Additionally, an orchard provides students and hotel guests with a range of fresh fruit.

An historic nursery in the Kitchen Garden, which consisted of two abandoned greenhouses, has also been restored.

Pleasure Garden

Once a Victorian sunken garden used for pleasure and relaxation, the Pleasure Garden now houses a variety of herbs and spices for use in the kitchen. Each plant in the Pleasure Garden has its own specific cooking, medicinal or aesthetic use. Several plants in this garden are grown specifically for organic control of pests and diseases.

Although the planting style has changed since the Victorian Era, the formal layout and Opium Poppy allude to times past. The design of the garden has been slightly altered to include a central path and gazebo as a centerpiece. The garden also houses a pet cemetery and a stone shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The Pleasure Garden is a popular place for visitors to gather while enjoying the fresh scent of flowers and herbs.