The Monasterboice Inn has been in the same family for over 200 years. It is rich in history and forms the cornerstone of the Monasterboice Heritage Trail. Set amid rolling lush green landscape, the Inn oozes historic importance.
The story goes….
Monasterboice Inn was the home of Thomas, brother of General Patrick Sarsfield, at the time of the Battle of the Boyne. A 100 years later the patriot, Charles Hamilton Teeling, fleeing from capture in 1798, having swam the river Boyne on horseback, rode for assistance to the Monasterboice Inn. Engraved on a plaque on the outside of the Sarsfield Room you can see the date 1786 and initials P.S. Charles Teeling recorded his visit in his famous history of 1798.
Today, The Monasterboice Inn has retained much of the character of the past but with all the comforts of modern living; guests can enjoy a drink in our warm and inviting bar area or move into the comfort and elegance of our dining rooms. In the Sarsfield Room the original features have been carefully restored and a touch of modern elegance has been added making it a perfect room for intimate gatherings or business events. In the main lounge, around the old-fashioned fires, people can gather for a quiet chat, and drink, or be served a tasty meal at the counter or at a table.
The Donegan family are a well-known and much respected family in the area. Indeed Paddy Donegan was the well-known Fine Gael Minister for Defence under the leadership of Taoiseach Liam Cosgrove. It was in 1954 that the dynamic young farmer and businessman from Monasterboice squeezed out Fianna Fail incumbent, Larry Walsh in the general election of that year. The following year Deputy Donegan made his first real entry into politics at local level when he was elected to Louth County Council after his father, the late Tom Donegan. His political career was irrevocably defined by a comment he made while Minister for Defence in 1976. His words led to the resignation of President Cearbhall O’Dalaigh – Read a fascinating account of the events of 1976 here.