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Here on the shores of the Lough Ramor, deep in the lakelands of Ireland, stands the Park Hotel. This 100-acre, 18th century country estate and sporting lodge was owned and occupied by the Marquis of Headfort from 1750 to 1939 when it was converted into Ireland's premier country resort hotel.

50 miles Northwest of Dublin and convenient to many historic sites and tourist attractions, the Park Hotel offers classic cuisine and 43 guest accommodations with modern amenities.

The hotel is bordered by hundreds of acres of maintained wooded trails and lakeland including flower gardens, picnic areas, walking trails and a golf course.

The History of the Park Hotel

Thomas Taylor came to Ireland from Sussex County, England in 1653. He purchased land in Headfort in 1736 and later property in County Cavan and Dublin. This land was passed down from Mr. Taylor to his first son, Thomas Taylor, who was named the first Earl of Bective in 1766.

At this time 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. Around 1800 the family assumed the new name of Taylour.

In 1830, Thomas' first son became the second Marquis and the Baron of Kenils (Kells). During this time the woods of Virginia Park were planted. His son Geoffrey continued to improve Virginia Park and became the third Marquis. Geoffrey was the first son to be named Geoffrey and not 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 and his son, Thomas Michael, is the sixth and present Marquis.

Lord Headfort pursued his interest in gardening with great enthusiasm. He sought his plants from far and wide. For example, his Rhododendron collection started as unknown seeds from China and Tibet and was grown as a part of a colleague's thesis. Lord Headfort and the Dublin and Edinburgh Botanical Gardens eventually grouped the plants that grew from these seeds into different species and varieties. Some of these varieties are still found on the grounds of Virginia Park.

Lord Headfort often sought the advice of J.W. Bean, a world famous horticulturist. Bean advised him on the planting of both common and rare trees for the gardens at Kells and Virginia. He sent his bed designs to the Kew Gardens in London. His work is that of a master gardener and the gardens and grounds he planted are the result of his knowledge and the efforts of his 22-person garden staff.

He served as the president of the royal Horticultural Society of Ireland from 1912 - 1918. His effort and dedication has left us with a living landscape that reveals much about the man and the times in which he lived.

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