County Meath - CURIOUS IRELAND

Meath translates from the Irish word ‘Mide’ meaning ‘Middle’. This was once part of a much larger ‘middle kingdom’ and was once the 5th province of Ireland. It is colloquially known as ‘the Royal County’ and has some of the richest archeology and pasture land in the country. The Boyne Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can visit the spectacular passage tombs at Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. Its highest point is Slieve Na Calliagh which stand at 276m where you can see 20 more passage tombs that pre-date Newgrange by 500 years.

The Maiden Tower & The Lady’s Finger, Mornington Beach. County Meath c.16th century

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A beacon of love The Maiden Tower was built in the late 16th century as a beacon to aid sailors navigating their way up from the mouth of the River Boyne into Drogheda. [...]

The Maiden Tower & The Lady’s Finger, Mornington Beach. County Meath c.16th centuryemmet2023-05-09T10:06:35+00:00

Athlumney Castle, Navan. County Meath c.12th-17th centuries

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Navan's key location Athlumney Castle is located just outside Navan Town in a key strategic location where the Blackwater River drains into the Boyne. Its placename derives from the Irish for "Loman's ford" [...]

Athlumney Castle, Navan. County Meath c.12th-17th centuriesemmet2023-05-09T10:09:38+00:00

Ninch Barrow Mound, Laytown. County Meath c.400AD

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An ancient passage tomb or a Norman motte? The Ninch barrow is located on an estuary of the River Nanny and has spectacular views over County Meath. It has always been assumed that [...]

Ninch Barrow Mound, Laytown. County Meath c.400AD emmet2023-05-09T10:10:43+00:00

Athcarne Castle, Balrath. County Meath 1590

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Deathly cries in the night This foreboding-looking building is Athcarne Castle. It was built for William Bathe in 1590. The Bathe family produced a number of well-known legal and political personalities around the [...]

Athcarne Castle, Balrath. County Meath 1590emmet2023-05-09T10:14:03+00:00

Dowth Passage Tomb, Dowth. County Meath 2500BC

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1 of the 3 great passage tombs of The Boyne Valley Dowth, meaning the dark place is one of the 3 great passage tombs of The Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site. It [...]

Dowth Passage Tomb, Dowth. County Meath 2500BCemmet2023-05-09T10:11:48+00:00

The Athcarne Cross, Balrath. County Meath 1675

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One of Ireland's most unique crosses This cross was erected circa 1675 as a memorial to Sir Luke Bathe and his wife, Dame Cecilia Dowdall, who lived in the nearby Athcarne Castle. This [...]

The Athcarne Cross, Balrath. County Meath 1675emmet2023-08-02T15:08:05+00:00

Trim Castle, Trim. County Meath 1172

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The largest Norman castle in Ireland Soon after the Norman Invasion of Ireland, Hugh De Lacy was granted vast tracts of land in Meath by King Henry II. This was to curb and [...]

Trim Castle, Trim. County Meath 1172emmet2023-05-09T10:15:11+00:00

Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre, Drogheda. County Meath 1690

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Site of one of the largest European battles The Battle of the Boyne was fought between the armies of King William of Orange and his father-in-law, King James II of England. Billy had [...]

Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre, Drogheda. County Meath 1690emmet2023-05-09T10:16:17+00:00

Bru na Boinne, Newgrange. County Meath 2700BC

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The mothership of Ireland's ancient monuments Newgrange is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is part of a complex of over 35 similar types of monuments built along the bend of the River [...]

Bru na Boinne, Newgrange. County Meath 2700BCemmet2024-02-20T21:18:30+00:00

St Patrick’s Church, Duleek. County Meath c.8th century AD

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Ireland's first stone-built church The name Duleek derives from a word meaning 'house of stone' and this is the first reference in Ireland to such a church being made from stone rather than [...]

St Patrick’s Church, Duleek. County Meath c.8th century ADemmet2023-07-30T05:49:28+00:00

Knowth Passage Tomb, Donore. County Meath 3000BC

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World-class heritage site with 25% of Europe's megalithic art Knowth is one of Ireland's great ancient sites and is part of The Bru Na Boinne World Heritage complex of passage tombs. There is [...]

Knowth Passage Tomb, Donore. County Meath 3000BCemmet2023-06-24T15:56:23+00:00

Fourknocks Passage Tomb, Fourknocks, County Meath 3000BC

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Look out for the smiley face The Fourknocks' name may derive from the Irish word ‘Fuair Cnocs’ meaning ‘cold hills’ or it just may refer to the four tombs on the nearby hills. [...]

Fourknocks Passage Tomb, Fourknocks, County Meath 3000BCemmet2023-05-09T10:22:03+00:00

The Market Cross, Kells. County Meath 10th century

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A cross once used for hanging rebels Kells is one of the oldest continuously settled towns in Ireland and has produced many rich historical artifacts. The most famous of these is the world-famous [...]

The Market Cross, Kells. County Meath 10th century emmet2024-02-17T16:36:05+00:00

Loughcrew, Oldcastle. County Meath 3200BC

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Ireland's best-kept archaeological secret The Loughcrew passage tomb dates back to 3200 BC and is not only 500 years older than Newgrange but is also located 800 feet above sea level. It has [...]

Loughcrew, Oldcastle. County Meath 3200BC emmet2023-05-09T10:24:17+00:00

The Friary on The Hill of Slane, Slane Hill. County Meath 1512

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The location chosen by St. Patrick for first pascal fire This site overlooking Slane village is reputedly the location where the Fir Bolg King Sláine' is buried. It is also where St. Patrick [...]

The Friary on The Hill of Slane, Slane Hill. County Meath 1512emmet2023-07-30T06:14:39+00:00

J O’Connells Pub, Hill of Skyrne. County Meath Est.1890

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Christmas pints of Guinness This historic pub can be found on The Hill of Skyrne. It was made famous when Guinness used it for their Christmas advert. It is popularly known as 'Mrs. [...]

J O’Connells Pub, Hill of Skyrne. County Meath Est.1890emmet2024-02-26T18:17:05+00:00

Skreen Church, the Hill of Skryne, County Meath 1341

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A shrine to St Columba This was the site of an early church that held a shrine of St Columcille. that had been brought from Iona in Scotland for safe-keeping. This attracted unwanted [...]

Skreen Church, the Hill of Skryne, County Meath 1341emmet2023-05-09T10:27:39+00:00

Bective Abbey, Bective. County Meath 1147

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Braveheart movie location Bective Abbey is set beside a lovely old bridge on the River Boyne. It was founded in 1147 by the King of Meath and was the second Cistercian abbey built [...]

Bective Abbey, Bective. County Meath 1147 emmet2023-07-30T05:50:01+00:00

The Stone of Destiny, Hill of Tara. County Meath c.500AD?

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The inauguration stone for the High Kings of Ireland This phallic-looking pillar stone is known as the 'The Lia Fail' or Stone of Destiny. It is located on the inauguration mound on the [...]

The Stone of Destiny, Hill of Tara. County Meath c.500AD?emmet2023-05-09T10:29:57+00:00

St John’s Priory, Trim. County Meath 1202

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A medieval hospital run by The Crutched Friars St John's Priory is located in Trim beside an ancient bridge about a mile downstream from Trim Castle. It was founded in 1202 by Simon [...]

St John’s Priory, Trim. County Meath 1202emmet2023-05-09T10:30:59+00:00

Killeen Church & Castle, Dunsany. County Meath 1200 & 1820

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Stunning 5* golf hotel at the ancestral home of the Plunkett family The first castle on this site was built in 1181 by Geoffrey de Cusack, a Norman who came to Ireland with [...]

Killeen Church & Castle, Dunsany. County Meath 1200 & 1820emmet2024-02-18T05:21:07+00:00

Marcie Regan’s Pub, Trim. County Meath (site of pub 1450?)

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One of Ireland's oldest pubs Regan's is an atmospheric old traditional pub located near St Peter's bridge in Trim. The pub is known for great live music and its beer garden has great [...]

Marcie Regan’s Pub, Trim. County Meath (site of pub 1450?) emmet2024-02-26T18:15:20+00:00

Mellifont Abbey, Tullyallen. County Meath 1142

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The earliest and most important Cistercian abbey in Ireland Mellifont Abbey was founded by St Malachy in 1142 and was the first and most important of Ireland's 35 Cistercian abbeys. The term Cistercian [...]

Mellifont Abbey, Tullyallen. County Meath 1142emmet2023-07-30T06:25:18+00:00