Meath is located on the eastern side of
Ireland to the northwest of Dublin and within the province of
Leinster. Its close proximity to Dublin has made the county one of
the premier commuter locations resulting in Meath’s population
expanding rapidly to over 160,000 in the last census. This
quick-fire development has shot this once primarily agricultural
county into the top ten of Ireland’s most densely populated areas.
The county town of Navan alone has increased its population by 28%
over the years 2002 to 2006, and with over 25,000 people now
residing there, it is the Republic’s fifth largest town. Despite
this, Meath is a moderately large county and it has managed to
retain its traditional landscape of lush green fields and rolling
hills for the most part.
County Meath is often informally referred to as the Royal County,
indicating its centuries-old links to ancient Irish tribal kings and
invading monarchs. Navan is located close to the Hill of Tara, an
archaeological site said to be the seat of the High King of Ireland
in ancient times. Trim, the former county town, boasts being the
home of Ireland’s largest Norman castle as well as being the site of
parliaments of that era. The town of Kells is famous for its ancient
monastery, as well as being the scene of many battles between Anglo,
Irish and Norman armies. Meath is also home to Newgrange, an amazing
prehistoric complex of such importance that it has been designated
as a World Heritage Site. At the other end of the historical
spectrum, we should not forget to mention Slane (near to which the
Battle of the Boyne was fought) and its castle which now hosts
modern-day rock concerts.
Holiday Home Meath
Newgrange
The Megalithic Passage Tomb at Newgrange was built about 3200 BC.
The kidney shaped mound covers an area of over one acre and is
surrounded by 97 kerbstones, some of which are richly decorated with
megalithic art. The 19 metre long inner passage leads to a cruciform
chamber with a corbelled roof. It is estimated that the construction
of the Passage Tomb at Newgrange would have taken a work force of
300 at least 20 years. The passage and chamber of Newgrange are
illuminated by the winter solstice sunrise. A shaft of sunlight
shines through the roof box over the entrance and penetrates the
passage to light up the chamber. The dramatic event lasts for 17
minutes at dawn on the Winter Solstice and for a few mornings either
side of the Winter Solstice. Admission to the Newgrange chamber for
the Winter Solstice sunrise is by lottery, application forms are
available at the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre. For the 2007 draw
28,106 applications were submitted. In September each year, 50 names
are drawn with 2 places are awarded to each name drawn.
Trim Castle
Trim Castle, the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland, was
constructed over a thirty-year period by Hugh de Lacy and his son
Walter. Hugh de Lacy was granted the Liberty of Meath by King Henry
II in 1172 in an attempt to curb the expansionist policies of
Richard de Clare, (Strongbow). Construction of the massive three
storied Keep, the central stronghold of the castle, was begun c.
1176 on the site of an earlier wooden fortress. This massive
twenty-sided tower, which is cruciform in shape, was protected by a
ditch, curtain wall and moat.
Holiday Home Rental Meath
Hill of Tara
Though best known as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland, the Hill
of Tara has been an important site since the late Stone Age when a
passage-tomb was constructed there. Tara was at the height of its
power as a political and religious centre in the early centuries
after Christ. Attractions include an audio-visual show and guided
tours of the site.
Boyne Valley Touring Route - County Meath
County Meath is known as the Royal County and derives its name from
the 2nd century AD as a territory for the High Kings. The abundance
of historic monuments within this area testifies to the ancient
importance of this region and some of the most important historic
sites and monuments in Ireland dot the landscape here. The tour
begins at the Brú Na Bóinne Visitor Centre located in the village of
Donore just off the N51 coming out of Drogheda. On visiting this
centre one can visit the spectacular burial mound at Newgrange,
Knowth and Dowth. Here you can look in amazement at the master
craftsmanship put into these wonderful creations. Also in the area
you will find the Battle of The Boyne site, which is well worth a
visit Next leaving Newgrange to Slane on the R163 and onwards
towards Kells, an area steeped in history well worth taking a look
around at the high cross and the area which The Book Of Kells
originated but is now housed in Trinity College Dublin. You will get
a good selection of coffee shops and restaurants here so it is an
ideal spot to stop for a break. On into Oldcastle continuing on the
R163, the second stop on this trail. Here you will find burial
mounds where myths and legends collide to make many a different
story as to how they were created, one being that the burial mounds
were created by a sorceress flying overhead and dropping pebbles on
the landscape! When you leave Oldcastle you will join the N51- the
main Drogheda to Slane road. Before reaching Slane you will come
across a small cottage where Francis Ledwidge, the World War 1 poet
was born, the cottage is now a small museum dedicated to the poet.
Then passing through Slane, which is an example of an estate village
that has a fine selection of Georgian houses. From Slane we head
South Westerly along the N51 to Navan. You will pass Slane Castle on
your left. On entering Navan, the largest town in County Meath you
will notice its large selection of shops, restaurants, pubs and
accommodation. The Great Mote just outside the town is the best
place to view the surrounding countryside. Here you will also find
Proudstown Park Racecourse for horse racing and The Boyne Valley
Greyhound Stadium.
Holiday
Cottage Meath
Hamwood House And Gardens
Hamwood House is a Palladian Georgian house, which was built in
1768. The gardens at Hamwood fall into three parts:
1. The Woodland down the Pine Walk - Specimens include conifers,
shrubs including camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons, herbaceous
plants and ferns.
2. A Palladian Rose Garden with ornamental rims and David Austin
roses.
3. The Walled Garden with a lily pond, a herb garden, a serpentine
rock garden, magnolias and other flowering shrubs.
House is also open to visitors.
Newgrange Open Farm & Coffee Shop
Newgrange Farm is a 333-acre farm situated in the beautiful and
historic Boyne Valley and surrounds the famous National Monument of
Newgrange. This is a genuine working farm / educational facility,
where adults and children can try the "hands on" experience of
bottle feeding, feeding, holding, petting, and seeing all the usual
farm animals and poultry, and much, much more.
Farmer Bill
On Sundays and Bank Holiday afternoons (weather permitting) come and
watch, and maybe become part owner of one of the sheep, in the
Newgrange Farm Stakes Sheep Race. For booked groups and when there
are sufficient numbers requiring it and farm work allows it a
tractor trailer ride farm tour is available, down through the farm
crops and livestock to the River Boyne and National Monuments. When
you have worked up a good appetite, come and eat traditional home
cooked food in The Old Byre Coffee Shop or relax in one of our
outdoor or indoor picnic areas. The gift shop has an array of toys
and gifts to remind you of your memorable day out.
Francis Ledwidge Museum
The museum is the cottage birthplace of World War I poet, Francis E
Ledwidge. It is a perfect example of a 19th century farm labourer's
cottage and was purchased and restored by the Francis Ledwidge
Museum Committee in 1981. Dr Benedict Kiely opened it as a museum in
June 1982.
It houses the poet's works and artefacts from World War I, alongside
memorabilia of the period. It's millennium exhibition portrays the
poet's life in picture and text from his birth in the cottage to his
death at the third battle of Ypres, Belgium, in July 1917. In the
beautiful and tranquil garden to the rear of the museum stands a
replica of the original monument commissioned and erected by the
City of Ieper, Belgium, at the exact spot where the poet was killed
on 31st July 1917.
Kells Heritage Centre
Kells Heritage Centre is a new vibrant visitor attraction located in
the Heritage Town of Kells. Housed in the beautifully restored
courthouse are multi-media exhibition, gift shop and coffee shop.
The exhibition ”The Splendour of Ireland" gives an insight into the
crafts and culture of monastic Ireland and entices the visitor to
explore the various sites of interest throughout Kells.
The Book of Kells
Heralded as the most decorated illuminated manuscript to survive
form the early medieval period, a facsimile copy of the Book of
Kells is on display in the centre. Depicting the stories from the
four Gospels the book is acclaimed due to the profusion of the
decoration, and the complexity with which this decoration is
integrated with the text. Most scholars agree that is was created by
Columban monks on the remote island of Iona off the west coast of
Scotland in a monastery founded by St. Columba (or Coulmcille) in
the 1560's. It is not known exactly when the book was transferred to
Kells
High Crosses
The 9th century market cross of Kells is now located in the grounds
of the Heritage Centre. One of five crosses in the town, a
self-guided walking trail is available in the centre.
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Ireland
Lloyd Park And Tower
The Hill of Lloyd is 3km north-west of Kells and is a commonage
owned by Kells Urban District Council and its predecessor, the old
corporation since the 12th century. Its most striking feature is an
18th century folly in the form of a lighthouse, erected by the son
of the Earl of Bective in his father's memory. The view from the
lighthouse is spectacular.
Dunsany Castle
Dunsany Castle, between Dunshaughlin & Trim in Meath, lies a short
distance south of the Hill of Tara. It began as a Norman fortress in
1180; only four towers remain of the original, which has been
altered through the years, with fine additions in the 18th&19th
centuries. It is the ancestral home of the Lords of Dunsany, heads
of the Plunkett family, since the 1400's.The family still live in
the Castle, which holds a private collection of paintings, ceramics
and furniture. Dunsany Castle also has a fine demesne, featuring the
Abbey (1440).The family has opened the Dunsany Home Collection
Boutique in the Castle, which stocks an important collection of
unique tableware, linen and other special housewares & gifts, as
well as books by Lord Dunsany (1878-1957)
Towns and Villages in County Meath
Other larger towns close to Dublin are Ashbourne, Dunboyne, Clonee
and Dunshaughlin, but a list of Meath’s towns also includes Athboy,
Ballivor, Clonard, Donore, Drumcondra, Duleek, Enfield, Gormanston,
Julianstown, Kentstown, Kildalkey, Kilmainham Wood, Kilmessan,
Laytown, Bettystown, Mornington, Longwood, Nobber, Oldcastle,
Rathmoylon, Ratoath, Stamullen and Summerhill.
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