Heywood House after 1746

Entrance Gates of Heywood House

The Estate of Heywood House consisted of 24 acres, which was surrounded by walled ground that was ten feet high.

Entrance Gates of Heywood House

Entrance Gates of Heywood House

The Estate of Heywood House consisted of 24 acres, which was surrounded by walled ground that was ten feet high.

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The Dining Room of Heywood House

Heywood House was destroyed by fire in 1950. All the rooms, including the Dining Room, were engulfed in flames and damaged beyond repair.

The Dining Room of Heywood House

The Dining Room of Heywood House

Heywood House was destroyed by fire in 1950. All the rooms, including the Dining Room, were engulfed in flames and damaged beyond repair.

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Michael Frederick Trench built Heywood House in the 18th Century with the help of his friend, the well known architect, James Gandon. The estate in his time was about to undergo major change and Michael Frederick's influence was evident in this.

Michael Frederick Trench married Anna Helena Stewart who was the only daughter of Patrick Stewart and Mary Heywood of Killymoon in Co. Tyrone. The estate was named after his mother-in-law, Mary Heywood.

During this time Michael F. Trench constructed the Black Church which was the burial chamber for the Trench family. About nine of the Trench family were interred therein.

Michael F. Trench was an engineer and civil architect and drew up plans for the parish church in Swords. He also helped to design the Rotunda Assembly Rooms in Dublin. The town of Ballinakill was planned out by Michael Trench and the Huguenot influence is still evident in the town.

Michael Frederick Trench's daughter, Sarah Helena, married Sir Pocklington Domvile of Santry and by this marriage the Heywood Estate passed to the Domvile family. The Empress Elizabeth of Austria was entertained in Heywood when she came to hunt in Ireland in 1879 and 1880.

In 1886 Mary Adelaide Domvile married Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Hutchinson Poe and the estate passed to the Poe family. During his stay at Heywood Sir William Poe spent £250,000 renovating the mansion and grounds.

Heywood House lay vacant following the departure of Colonel Poe until it was acquired by the Salesians in 1941. Nine years later it was gutted by flames after a fire broke out in 1950. The house was demolished and a modern community school has been built nearby.

On December 5th 1995, the Department of Education officially opened Heywood Community School.  The Community School is a thriving educational institution with strong links with the local and wider community and has contributed significantly to the social, sporting, cultural, spiritual and educational development of its hinterland.