Meath

Meath - the Royal County derives its name from the 2nd century AD as a territory for High Kings. The abundance of historic monuments within the present day boundaries testifies to the ancient importance of the area. The exceptional visitor attractions, accommodation standards and activities in the area qualifies Meath as a top location for holiday makers

Explore

Bettystown
A long established seaside resort with a fine, sandy stretch of beach from Laytown to the mouth of the Boyne at Mornington. The eight century Tara Brooch, one of the finest examples of the goldsmiths art in early Christian Ireland was found on the beach at Bettystown in 1850.

Kells
For most people Kells is associated with the famous Book of Kells. It is a busy market town rich in heritage located on the N52 and attractively situated near the river Blackwater and is now a designated heritage town. It firstbecame important when it was used as a royal residence for the High Kings.

Navan
Navan is a prosperous town on the banks of the Boyne and is the administrative centre of the county. The Blackwater river joins with the river Boyne on the eastern side of the town at the ancient Poolbeg bridge. Many beautiful riverside walks are available. Navan is an ideal shopping venue with an open air market every Friday.

Slane
Slane is an estate village with good Georgian houses in a most pleasant area of the Boyne. It is a very ancient and historic town. This district has for years contained many large manors and castles: a few are still used as dwellings but most of them are in ruins. Francis Ledwidge, the poet whose promising career was tragically ended during the first world war was born here. A museum in Ledwidge's Cottage commemorates the poet.

Tara
The hill of Tara is about 1.6km to the right off the main Navan/Dublin road. There is a wealth of history and legend associated with Royal Tara as an ancient spiritual and political capital of Ireland and its central place in Irish history. For well over two thousand years Tara was occupied by royalty. This was an ideal spot to build a palace and in time the five ancient roads of Ireland converged here. The view from this commanding hill is one of the best features. There is a Visitor Centre located in a small converted church of St. Patrick, which is on the hill itself.

Trim
The heritage town of Trim is situated on the River Boyne. It is a thriving town where many activities, historical and cultural regularly take place. Soon after proclaiming Christianity in Ireland St. Patrick built a church here on land granted to him by the son of the High King. He built it near an ancient ford that crossed the river just beyond the bridge and it was from this that Trim got its name.

Attractions

Trim Heritage Centre & King Johns Castle, Trim
The "Power and the Glory" exhibition brings to reality the lifestyle of Norman time. King Johns Castle, built in 1220, is the largest and best preserved Norman Castle in Ireland and was used as a location for the award winning film Braveheart. Castle will open to the public on 19th June. Contact Bru na Boinne Visitors Centre for booking details.

Kells High Cross and Round Tower
As one of the religious centres of Western Europe in the 8th & 10th century, this holy place not only housed the Book of Kells for centuries but also produced one of Ireland's most important collection of High Crosses, some of them still standing in the shadow of the Round Tower.

Hill of Slane, Slane
It was on the Hill of Slane that St. Patrick kindled his Pascal fire at Easter in 433 A.D. It is here that one can see the remains to the 16th century church occupying the site of the ancient church founded by St. Patrick.

Loughcrew Cairns, Loughcrew, Oldcastle
The Loughcrew cairns are a group of Passage Tombs dating from the Neolithic age. Cairn T, one of the largest in the complex has impressive examples of prehistoric art, and is also the site of the famous "Hags Chair".

Sonairte, The National Ecology Centre, Laytown
Sonairte is Irelands premier environmental visitor centre. The centre contains an organic garden, riverside nature trail, renewable energy interactive park, wind, rain and solar exhibits. Sonairts is Ireland's only ecology centre providing education towards a environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Battle of the Boyne Site, Oldcastle
Site of the famous Battle of the Boyne, a watershed in Irish history, between the Williamite and Jacobite forces, in July 1690.

Butterstream Gardens, Trim
Delightful two acre garden inspired by those at Sissingshurst in Kent. A stream runs through a series of garden compartments of tranquil rose gardens, herbaceous borders, ponds and a multitude of shrubs and plants.

Newgrange Open Farm, Newgrange, Slane
A traditional working farm where you can enjoy a unique hands on experience. Visitors can hold and feed farm animals, view demonstration displays of crops, vintage farm machinery, tractor and trailer rides. Coffee shop, picnic area, toilets, gift shop, car/bus park and disabled facilities.

Bru na Boinne Visitors Centre
This magnificent visitors centre explores the archaeological heritage of the Boyne Valley, including the megalithic passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth, some of the most famous prehistoric monuments in Western Europe dating from 5000BC.

Activities

Horse Riding
There are a number of equestrian centres scattered throughout Co. Meath offering trekking and riding over farmland, mountain and forest trails.

Horse Racing
Co. Meath boasts 4 horse racing locations which host numerous events throughout the year.

Angling
Wild brown trout, rainbow trout, salmon, pike, perch bream, raoch, tench and eels are some types of fish available in the Meath area.

Golf
You are never far from a golf course in Co. Meath with a number of 18 hole and 9 hole parkland and links courses to chose from. A number are of championship standard.

Walking
Why not try the Boyne Way - Navan to Slane or the walking trails around Loughcrew Hills.