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Slane is an
well-designed 18th century, hillside estate village situated on the
northern bank of the River Boyne.
This ancient and
historic town has many fine examples of Georgian houses. The square
grey limestone buildings with slated roof are a feature of this
ancient and historic town. Some have attractive oriel windows, stone
steps, archways, wrought iron railings and period shop fronts.
Slane's unique feature is the octagon created by the group of
Georgian houses which face each other diagonally across the
intersection of the Dublin - Derry and Drogheda - Navan roads.
Slane Castle is set in a 1,500 acre estate surrounded by valleys and
woodlands on the banks of the River Boyne. The castle was built and
has been lived in by the Conyngham family since 1701 and is open to
the public during the summer season. It is famous for hosting the
largest outdoor concerts in Ireland. Some acts that have played in
Slane Castle are The Rolling Store, U2, Queen and the Kings of Leon.
Slane is located just 5km west from Newgrange. Newgrange was
constructed over 5,000 years ago ( 3,200 B.C.), making it older than
Stonehenge in England and the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. It was
built during the Neolithic or New Stone Age by a farming community
that prospered on the rich lands of the Boyne Valley.
Knowth and Dowth are
similar mounds that together with Newgrange have been designated a
World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Archaeologists classified Newgrange
as a passage tomb, however Newgrange is now recognised to be much
more than a passage tomb.
Slane and surrounding area contains many historic sites. To the
north of the village rises the Hill of Slane, which stands 158
metres above the surroundings. Such a commanding site could never
have been ignored,and consequently there are a number of historic
sites located around the top of the hill including those of a 16th
Century Franciscan Friary and a Law College.
According to legend,
the Hill of Slane is the place where St.Patrick lit the bonfire
which led to the introduction of Christianity in Ireland.
Slane is proud to be
the birthplace of the noted Irish poet Francis Ledwidge. The
Ledwidge Cottage Museum commemorates his life. |
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Slane Holiday Homes - County Meath, Ireland
