A new chapter in Knockabbey Castle and Gardens history started in 1998 when Cyril O'Brien purchased the estate. Originally he had intended only to install new heating, splash on a 'lick of paint' and 'tidy up the garden'.

However, when Dermot O'Neill, a friend of O'Brien and very well known gardener in Ireland, visited he identified the remnants of a fine old garden. The main clue was the number of notable trees on the estate, particularly the large old tulip tree, now accepted as one of the largest girthed tulip trees in these islands.

Dermot O'Neill put Cyril O'Brien in touch with Finola Reid and the Great Gardens of Ireland Restoration Fund. O'Brien then set about investigating the gardens' original history, layouts and planting schemes.

There were months of planning and preparing before the gardens began to take shape. To bring the 30 acres of gardens back to their former glory, Cyril sought the expertise of horticultural consultants, historians, architects, archaeologists, engineers, builders, stonemasons, tree surgeons, geologists amongst whom are included Belinda Jupp, Finola Reid and Thomas Mc Erlean.

The gardens are rich in the remnants of many periods of horticulture. The grounds, set in Louth's rolling hills, have traces of monastic, formal 18th century and Victorian gardens. The restoration aims to bring together the best of these elements that make the garden unique.