County Meath
Towns
Other destinations
- 🌍 Brú Na Bóinne Archaeological Park – a Neolithic burial site
Understand
County Meath (the "middle") was formed from the eastern part of the former kingdom of Mide (see Kings of Mide) but now forms part of Leinster. Historically the kingdom included all of the current county as well as all of Westmeath and parts of Cavan, Longford, Louth, Offaly, Dublin and Kildare. The High King of Ireland sat at Tara in Meath. The archaeological complex of Brú na Bóinne is 5,000 years old and includes the burial sites of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, in the northeast of the county. It is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Get in
By bus
There is an hourly bus service from Dublin - The 109 bus from Bus Aras.
By car
Navan is beside the M3 motorway. To get onto the M3, take exit 6 on the M50 ring road of Dublin.
By plane
Meath is less than an hour away from Dublin Airport (DUB IATA). The N2 or M3 main roads will get you into Meath.
Get around
Car is the easiest way.
See
- Hill of Tara. The Hill of Tara (Irish Cnoc na Teamhrach; Irish Temair na Rí, "Hill of the Kings"), located near the River Boyne, is an archaeological complex that runs between Navan and Dunshaughlin in County Meath, Leinster, Ireland. It contains a number of ancient monuments, and, according to tradition, was the seat of Árd Rí na hÉireann, or the High King of Ireland. Recent scholarship claims that despite the rich narratives derived from mythologies, Tara was not so much a true seat of kingship, but a sacral site associated with kingship rituals. Other historians have argued that the concept itself is mostly mythical.
- Castles. At Trim, Slane (private), Dunsany (limited opening), Killeen (being converted to a hotel).
- Religious ruins. At Trim (two), Bective, Slane (two), Dunsany, Skryne (Skreen).
- Mound Structures. 2500-year-old mound structures of disputed origin at Telltown.
- Loughcrew. An ancient historical site.
- High Crosses in Kells.
- King Johns Castle.
- Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre (just south of the Boyne on the L16014, just off the N51), ☎ +353 41 980 9950. 9:00 to 17:00 May to September, 9:00 to 16:00 October to April. Located in Oldbridge House, a respectable Georgian manor house, the Battle of the Boyne visitor centre presents the context, strategy, troop movements, and outcome of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 using video, dioramas, uniforms, period artillery pieces, contemporary texts, and other such artefacts. Such content is clearly and compellingly presented (in Irish as well as English; staff are also prepared for groups using other languages). There is relatively little information about the aftermath and historical memory of the battle, or about the house itself. €5.00 (adults), €4.00 (seniors), €3.00 (students).
Do
- Fairyhouse Races, Ratoath near Ashbourne. The first meeting held at Fairyhouse was in 1848 when the Ward Union hunt held their point-to-point at this venue. From these small beginnings Fairyhouse quickly established itself as one of Ireland's premier racecourses. In 1870 the Irish Grand National was run for the first time and the winner was ‘Sir Robert Peel'. The Grand National quickly became Ireland's most valuable and prestigious steeplechase and each success has its own rich tale, none more amazing than the win in 1929 of a six year old mare ‘Alike', owned and ridden by 5'4” Frank Wise who was missing three fingers and who rode with a wooden leg. Fairyhouse has always been one of the finest and fairest racecourses and continues to attract the leading horses both on the flat and over jumps. Arkle, Desert Orchid, Flying Bolt, Captain Christy, Prince Regent, Persian War, L'escargot and more recently Istabraq, Bobbyjo, Florida Pearl and Limestone Lad are just some of the legendary greats that have graced the almost 2 mile circuit.
- Tayto Park, near Ashbourne. Theme park and zoo owned by a popular Irish potato crisp brand.
Eat
The Forge Restaurant near Ballinlough is a top class rural restaurant with quality meals. Chef Pauric White has won regional awards. Excellent food and friendly staff in a convivial atmosphere. To get to the Forge take N3 from Kells to Whitegate and take first left after Dervor roundabout.
Drink
Popular bars in the town are Beggy's, The Central and Ryans. The Palace Nightclub, Navan, is the current hotspot of the county. Other nightclubs in the county include Solar, Xangos, Glow and Live. Popular nearby clubs include Vanity in Carrickmacross and Imperial in Cavan.