Collon Church and Collon House give Collon two distinct historical points of interest, while Whiteriver Park adds a motorsport dimension. This makes it possible to plan a stay combining architectural history, regional attractions and karting.
Church Architecture and Manor House History
Collon Church is an elegant building of dressed limestone in the historic English architectural style. Its floor plan is based on the design of the Chapel of King’s College in Cambridge. The present church was ready for its first service in September 1815; the building is classified as being of national importance. Its materials, style and date of construction offer specific starting points for exploring the architecture of the area.
Collon House was built in 1740 by Anthony Foster in the style of an Irish long house. Its formal rooms are furnished with historic antiques and paintings. The preserved gardens also have a connection to the house’s history: they were restored with historically appropriate planting.
The history of Anthony Foster’s family is also connected with the house. He was the father of John “Speaker” Foster, the last Speaker of the Irish House of Commons before it was dissolved by the Act of Union of 1800. The house’s historical significance therefore extends beyond its architecture to parliamentary history.
Tours and Karting Track
A tour of Collon House is followed by tea, coffee and homemade cake. Advance booking is required for group tours of six guests or more. Arrange your booking and the details of the tour before you arrive.
Whiteriver Park offers a very different focus. Its 1,200-metre outdoor karting track is licensed by Motorsport Ireland and meets international FIA standards. The stated age range is 8 to 80. Whiteriver Park provides the equipment needed for karting, including karts, helmets, racing suits and gloves.
Whiteriver Park offers arrive-and-drive karting, Grand Prix events, kart racing competitions and driver training for individuals and groups. If you have a particular activity in mind, check the operator’s details before travelling. This will help you plan your stay around karting, rather than treating the different offerings as a single format.
Outings with Different Areas of Focus
Old Mellifont Abbey is on the R168 between Drogheda and Collon. Other destinations are less than a 20-minute drive from Collon House: the prehistoric megalithic sites of Brú na Bóinne, including Newgrange, the Battle of the Boyne visitor centre at Oldbridge, and the high crosses of Monasterboice. Each place offers a different historical focus—from prehistoric sites to a visitor centre about the Battle of the Boyne and the high crosses.
County Louth in a Wider Context
County Louth offers historical points of interest beyond Collon, too. Old Mellifont Cistercian Abbey in Tullyallen, near Drogheda, was Ireland’s first Cistercian monastery. The complex includes a two-storey, octagonal lavabo.
Monasterboice, with its round tower and high crosses, is among the outstanding examples of an early Christian or “Celtic” monastery. The Tall Cross, also called the West Cross, is 6.5 metres high and Ireland’s tallest high cross. Muiredach’s Cross, also called the South Cross, is 5.5 metres high and completely intact. Its carvings depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments, as well as two playful cats at the bottom of the shaft.
The Carlingford Lough Greenway offers a different regional focus. The 20-kilometre route runs from the village of Carlingford in County Louth to Newry City in County Down. It follows the southern shore of the lough, mostly away from road traffic, and offers a route for walking and cycling. Check route conditions before setting out.
Getting There and Planning Your Stay
The nearest Irish Rail station to Collon House is in Drogheda, 9 miles away. Buses run between Collon and Dublin city centre. If you are planning to travel by bus or train, check the timetables for your travel date. When choosing accommodation, you can then consider whether Collon’s architectural history, driving excursions or karting will be the main focus of your stay.
Discover more destinations: Ardee, Stabannan, Tallanstown, Bettystown, Drogheda, Dundalk, Dunleer, Lower Jenkinstown.
For the broader travel overview: County Louth.
