Oakley Park House & Stud Farm
A 400 Year History
Timeline History
Around 1649
Oakley Park House is believed to have its origins in a ruin of a castle, which may have been where the Oakley family resided
1710
Mr. Joseph Williams is said to have resided in the house and is supposed to have built a new house in 1715
1730-1829
The Crawford family moved in 1730 and lived at Oakley Park for 99 years.
1815
The main road from Kells to Moynalty is repositioned, providing more space around the house, leading to the development of the parkland and yard
1837
Oakley Park House is bought for £15,000 by George Bomford, who extended the house, doubling its size with it’s 742 acres
Approximately 1847
A walled garden to the west of the house is built, covering approximately 2.5 acres in size
1955
After 118 years, the last Bomford Lt. Col George Bomford sold Oakley Park
1979
The previous owners began running a successful thoroughbred breeding and training establishment at Oakley Park House, a venture that has continued for over 40 years. During this time, notable horses bred at Oakley Park House include Justified and Big Matt, both of which achieved success in many graded races in Ireland and the UK.
Tree planting
The Crawfords and Bomfords were associated with the Whigs ("Wigs") as they planted oak trees. On the other hand, if you were a Tory, you planted elm trees. The Whigs and Tories were two major political factions in Anglo Irish history, and their names are associated with specific political leanings.
Families That Have Lived At Oakley Park
The Betagh Family
The history of Oakley Park can be traced back to the time of Henry VIII when it was owned by the Betagh family, who resided in the Old Castle. Parts of the wall and tunnel still stand to this day.
The Oakley Family
Around 1649, the Oakley Family constructed Oakley Manor. In 1709, Joseph Williams became a resident of the estate.
The Crawfords Family
By 1730, the Crawfords family had moved into Oakley Park and remained there until 1829. In 1784, Robert Crawford passed away, leaving his sons Robert and John. Jason, John's son, succeeded him, and it was the Rev Jason Crawford who married Henrietta Rowley in 1797. Maperath was a neighboring estate to the west, and a road was built from Oakley Park's yard, around the back of the walled garden, following the river to reach Maperath.
The Maxwell Crawford Family
In 1829, John Maxwell Crawford succeeded to the estate and moved the family back to Fermanagh.
The Bomford Family
In 1837, George and Arabella Bomford purchased Oakley Park. George Bomford significantly expanded the house between 1837-1839, serving as a Justice of the Peace and later becoming High Sheriff of Co Meath in 1860. By 1876, George Bomford held substantial land in Meath and Westmeath, totaling 2,400 acres. In the 1860s, an additional 433 acres was added to the house, and the 2.5 Acre Walled Garden was built around the Famine years of 1847. John Francis, George's second son, succeeded to Oakley Park. George Lyndon Bomford, the oldest son, returned to Oakley in 1895 after working as a pony express rider in Texas. Upon his return he served with the Land Commission throughout Ireland. Oakley Park remained a major Bomford house in Co Meath for 118 years until Lt. Col. George Bomford sold it to Lawrence McGuinness in 1955.
The McGuinness Family
Lawrence McGuinness acquired Oakley Park in 1955. The McGuinness family successfully operated a thoroughbred breeding and training establishment for 68 years, producing notable winners such as Justified and Big Matt in graded races in Ireland and the UK.