where heritage lives -...
TRANSCRIPT
Where Heritage Lives
This brochure is published by Meath Tourism Ltd., Co. Meath.It is an application of the Meath Brand Identity, financed by Meath LEADER, the NRDP and EU Initiative for Rural Development, 2000-2006.
TrimTourist Visitor CentreCastle Street, Trim046 943 7111
KellsKells Heritage CentreNavan Road, Kells046 924 7840
Brú na Bóinne, NewgrangeTourist Information CentreBrú na Bóinne, Donore041 988 0305
Our Tourist Information Centrescan also provide customiseditineraries of County Meath to suityour interests, provide informationon entertainment and leisureactivities and reserveaccommodation at approvedfacilities throughout Ireland.
Heritage in Meath
The past has neverbeen so alive
The visionary spirit of past cultures isrichly alive in Meath today. Forgetschoolbook history – Meath’s past is fullof mystery and excitement, tragedy andhumour. There are High Kings and scholarly monks, Vikings and Normans,castles and crosses, wise fish and singingstones, magical sagas and fabulous fairytales.
The Hill of Tara beautifully bears witnessto the epic adventures of Ireland’s royalpast, to the battles and celebrations ofthe High Kings.
Fantastic tales of knights and ladies, ofhonour and valour, become real at thesight of monumental Anglo-Norman castles rising out of the landscape atTrim.
The mysterious imagination and sharp-witted humour of medieval monks stillresonate in towns like Kells, wheremonastic ruins tell the story of scholarlyrefuge in the face of Viking raids.
Ireland’s ancients had something to say.They said it so that we could hear theirmessage with our eyes. The art and architecture of Meath’s neolithic sites atLoughcrew and Brú na Bóinne elegantlyattest to an eternally modern vision of theworld.
Your tour through Meath is an experiencein living history in a special place wherespecial things happen.
To allow you to experience the wondersof our rich heritage, we have devised aHeritage Trail for you to follow witheasy access to some of the best heritagesites in the county. The route allows forthe option of completing the trail in one continuous journey or with plannedover night stops to savour the delightsof Meath on route.
Some of our towns including Kells,Athboy, Duleek, Clonard, Moynalty andBeamore/Kilsharvan also have their ownHeritage Trails with plenty to informand amuse. Check our website fordetails
www.meathtourism.ie
The Tara Brooch?
While it is commonly referred to as theTara Brooch, its origins are actually amystery. The quality of its craftsman-ship, the detail of its ornamentationand the preciousness of its materials allseem to indicate wealthy, if not royalorigins – therefore the association withTara and the High Kings. This beautifully intricate master-pieceof Celtic decorative arts was howeverfound in a box on the beach inBettystown in 1850. Tara orBettystown, it’s still Meath.
Heritage in Tara, Bective and Navan
Meath’s Royal Past andMedieval Monuments
Let the spirit take youHere sat in days of yore kings with goldencrowns upon their heads; warriors with brazen swords in theirhands; bards and minstrels with theirharps; grey-bearded ollamhs; druids withtheir oak-leaf crowns…
The Hill of Tara has a strange effect onpeople. From up here on the heights onesees not only into the distance,but into Tara’s past. And Tara has morethan its share of heady stories to tell –tales of intoxicating drinks and chariot-driving High Kings. There are old hagswho transform themselves into beautifulyoung women and singing blocks of stonewhich announce the presence of futurekings. Tara is imbued with a magical,mythical atmosphere. It is the stuff of legends, the home of gods and heroes,not mere mortals.
Gazing back across the open Meath countryside one sees stony ruins andmedieval towns dotting the landscape likethe pieces of some ancient puzzle. Theimagination runs wild, joining the piecestogether in a living tableau. Tara does thisto people, it sets their creative juices flowing.
There is access to Tara all year, with guided tours available during Summer.Other attractions include Hill of TaraVisitor Centre and Athlumney Castle.Check the supplement guide orwww.meathtourism.ie for details.
Bective AbbeyThe substantial remains
of Ireland’s secondCistercian monastery
founded in 1147.
Open all year
Dunmoe CastleTwo facades of this
stone giant survive tostand guard over the
passing Boyne.
Open all year
Draughty Old Castles
Symbolically etched in the ruins of Meath’scastles are stories of Lords and Ladies, of battles and struggles, of power and glory.The draughty walls of these stoney fortressesprovided their Norman Lords with an important stronghold in a then hostile land.They were a place of refuge in times of dangerand a strategic base from which to attack,conquer and rule. Today these draughty oldsymbols of Norman military and politicalstrength lend the Meath countryside an air of romantic fantasy.
Beacons in the Dark
The medieval world of monks and abbeysbrings to mind an ascetic life of isolation,prayer and scholarly study. This tells only partof the story. Irish monasteries were oftenthriving and highly sought out enclaves ofcultural creativity, quite literally beacons inthe dark, responsible for preserving andpassing on precious texts and for the creationof some of the world’s most imaginative andfanciful Christian art.
Ireland’s Spiritual Home:At the Hill of Tara Irish myth,legendand history are one – this magical sitehas been home to gods and goddesses,to druids and warriors, and to Ireland’sHigh Kings. This rich past is visiblyengraved in its undulating landscape,where the hillside is marked by ancientearthworks, mound formations and theruins of royal enclosures.Legend evenhas it that Tara itself recognises thosedestined to be King, so listen carefullyfor the cries of Lia Fáil – the Stone ofDestiny.
Heritage in Trim and Environs
Fierce Vikings, StrongNormans and BraveMonks
This is the stuff movies are made ofIt’s no wonder that the makers of themovie Braveheart chose Trim in CountyMeath as the shooting location for theirepic thriller. One look at Trim Castle’s stonyoutline against a dramatic Irish sky and storybook images of valiant warriors, timidmonks and savage Vikings spring to life.
Movies, of course, tend to simplify thetruth. Not all warriors were valiant and allmonks timid. There were probably even afew decent souls among the Vikings.This is what makes exploring Trim and itssurroundings even more intriguing – discovering that the history is even morespectacular than the image.
Built by Hugh de Lacy in 1173, TrimCastle is the largest Anglo-norman Castlein Europe. It is open from May to Octoberby guided tour. Weekends only for rest ofyear. Also see the “The Power & theGlory” AV presentation at Trim VisitorCentre. Check the supplement guide orwww.meathtourism.ie for details.
Newtown CathedralOne of Trim's manyecclesiastical ruins-a
typical example of Irishmedieval architecture.
The Yellow SteepleThis 14th centurytower was part of
Trim's AugustinianAbbey of St Mary.
Calm in the Storm
Between Viking raids and the occasionalepidemic, life in medieval Ireland wasanything but easy. At the same time, andpossibly because of such hardship,Christianity flourished. Small ecclesiasticalbuildings and settlements sprouted fromthe landscape and provided a modicum ofspiritual refuge from the adversity of the age.
The Edge of the Pale
In Medieval times Trim Castle stood like an imposing stone sentinel at theedge of the Pale, the small area ofAnglo-Norman influence on Ireland’seastern coast. To go beyond the Palewas to enter the hostile world of theGaelic Irish. Here at the edge the twosides would have met – in conflict,exchange, and sometimes in battle.
Trim Castle’s towering edifice – it isthe largest remaining Anglo-Normancastle in Europe acted as a powerfulsymbol of Norman strength, making itan even more challenging target for Irish attack.
Heritage in Kells
The Monastic World ofSaints and Scholars
Inventive minds in troubled timesThe mention of a monastery immediatelyevokes images of a reclusive life of piousdevotion. Take a closer look. Medievalmonks were certainly pious, somewere reclusive, but most led much morecolourful and imaginative lives than onewould expect. It was a question of survivalin troubled times, of escaping the raids ofplundering Vikings, and of keeping theflame of knowledge and culture alive in an age of darkness.
Kells, or Ceanannas Mór, an officially designated Irish Heritage Town, is one of the finest examples of a monastic settlement to be found. Retracing thefootsteps of the monks, one is drawn intoa story of survival, of pluck and wit pittedagainst brawn and belligerence.
A page or two could probably be takenfrom the Monks’ book for, while troublenowadays may not arrive rowing a longboat, a little inventiveness alwayshelps in a tight spot.
Five premier examples of High Crossescan be found in Kells, including thefamous Market Cross. Also see the“Golden Age” AV presentation at KellsHeritage Centre. Other attractions includeSt Columba’s Church and the Kells RoundTower and the Spire of Lloyd. Check thesupplement guide orwww.meathtourism.ie for details.
St Columcille’s HouseThis 10th century
oratory building inKells is believed to
have housed themuch-loved saint’s
relics.
Open all year
Fantasy at Play
The fanciful illuminated pages of the Book of Kells speak volumes about the medievalmindset of the Monks of Iona and later, ofKells. Complex compositions of incredibleintricacy explode in an array of vibrantcolours. Fantasy animals turn into letterforms, geometric patterns evolve intoorganic shapes. Hidden in the maze of movement and colour are even occasionalinsider jokes, wry observations on life, andbits and pieces of purely whimsical amusement.
Irish Shoes with a Difference
St Columcille was one of the best knownand most idiosyncratic of Irish saints. Aspunishment for copying a book – the verdictin this early case of copyright infringementread: to every cow its calf, to every bookits copy – Columcille was banished to Ionaand told never to set foot on Irish soil again.Obedient yet desperate, with wily Irishingenuity the saint overcame the problem.Strapping sods of Iona’s turf to his feet,Columcille walked his beloved Ireland onScottish soil.
Columcille’s name became associated withKells after the brethren of the Iona monasterymoved there to seek refuge from the hit andrun attacks of the Vikings.
A Picture Tells a Thousand Words
The High Crosses, with their biblical scenes and celtic patterns, represent oneof the most readily recognisable decora-tive artifacts of Celtic Christianity. Theiroriginal purpose may not have beenpurely decorative. Created at a time ofwidespread illiteracy, the crosses mayactually have been conceived as a pictorial aid for teaching the gospel.Five premier examples of these biblical picture books in stone can be found inKells.
Spire of LloydThis 18th century
folly in the form of alighthouse erected to
the memory of theEarl of Bective.
Heritage in Oldcastle and Loughcrew
Life, Death and theHereafter
Stories from the graveSeasoned observers of human nature havean old saying:If you want to learn something about howpeople live, what they really think andbelieve, go to the cemetery and see howthey say goodbye to their dead.
Loughcrew, possibly one of the oldestknown cemetery in the world, gives visitors an unrivalled glimpse into thebeliefs and customs of four thousandyears ago. But much as this window to thepast may tell us about Ireland’s neolithiccultures, it is only the tip of an icebergshrouded in myth and mystery. One legend has it that the so-called burialmounds were created by a sorceress flyingoverhead and dropping pebbles on thelandscape. Sounds hard to believe butwho’s to say otherwise?
Loughcrew is 6.5km from Oldcastle onthe R163. Tel 041 9880300 or check thesupplement guide orwww.meathtourism.ie for details.
The Manor House
As the dangerous and unpredictable age ofcastles drew to a close the well to do inIreland began trading security for comfort,stone for windows, and battle fields forparkland. Mock temples dotted pastorallandscapes. This was the age of the landedgentry, country manors, ostentatious wealthand luxurious living. The relics of some ofthese stately homes can be found in andaround the Loughcrew area, and they toohave plenty of stories to tell.
A Martyr’s Death
Not all inhabitants of Loughcrew rest peace-fully in the ancient soil of the area. St OliverPlunkett, a heroic 17th century archbishopwho was born in the area, was convicted oftreason and hanged, drawn and quartered inthe Tower of London after refusing to submitto the fiercely anti-catholic laws of his time.
His birthplace, the Plunkett family church is stillstanding in Loughcrew. Cullcagh House, whereJonathan Swift finished writing his book‘Gullivers Travels’ is nearby.
The Iron AgeThe monogram of the
Napers is beautifullyincorporated in this
attractive gate to theNaper Estate at
Loughcrew HistoricHouse & Gardens.
St Olivers ChurchThis quiet graveyard
is on the lands ofthe Plunkett family in
Loughcrew.
Ireland’s Pyramids
The great passage tomb at Loughcrew:magnificent, mighty, and virtuallyunknown. This massive prehistoricmound is nothing less than the Irishequivalent of Egypt’s pyramids; both areburial sites, both witness the passage ofthe dead from this world to the next. Aswith the pyramids, Loughcrew continues to puzzle, perplex and amazeeven today. The burial complex inMeath possibly more so – it predates itsdesert cousins by 700 years.
Heritage in Slane and Brú na Bóinne
At the Bend of the River
Defining moments in Ireland’s pastMaybe it’s got to do with the lushness ofthe area’s rolling landscape, the way theriver winds its way through the verdantgreen of the hills, forests and fields.Whatever the reason, there must besomething special about this stretch of theBoyne Valley – for it is here that Ireland’shistory has been written and central to thestory has been the River Boyne.
The story began four thousand years agoat Brú na Bóinne, literally the bend of theBoyne, with the the spectacularly mysterious grand passage tombs ofNewgrange, Knowth and Dowth. On thenearby Hill of Slane, St Patrick ceremoniously ignited the flame ofChristianity in Ireland, which has nowbeen burning for almost fifteen hundredyears and on the banks of the Boyne itself,William of Orange and James II met in theBattle of the Boyne, which today, threecenturies later, continues to fuel Irish passions.
The historical significance of this small section of the Boyne Valley is unrivalled.Like the Irish themselves, it is complex,fascinating and forever changing.
Newgrange is open all year. Knowth isopen May to October. Access to the passage graves is through Brú na BóinneVisitor Centre only. Guided tours of theBattle of the Boyne site during June toSeptember. Check the supplement guideor www.meathtourism.ie for details.
Neolithic Vision
Little is truly known about the thoughts andfeelings of Ireland’s Neolithic cultures. Thereare plenty of scientific descriptions of thepassage tombs at Newgrange, Knowth andDowth; descriptions of material, height,width, components. What about the visionbehind the material? The mathematicalgenius behind the architecture? The way thesun illuminates Newgrange’s central chamberon the morning of the winter solstice? This isbest experienced, not described.
The Pagans vs St PatrickSt. Patrick is synonymous with Ireland; fromshamrocks to the shortage of snakes on theemerald isle. There was a time however whenPatrick wasn’t viewed as being so Irish, butrather as a Christian missionary come to convert Ireland’s Celtic pagans. This he didwith great symbolic flare. Take the story of thePaschal fire. As the Druids celebrated theirfeast day on the Hill of Tara, Patrick preparedthe Easter feast on the Hill of Slane where helit his Paschal fire before the Druids could kindle their sacred fire at Tara. The Druids, having seen flames at Slane, warned Laegaire,the High King, that if Patrick’s fire was not putout immediately, it would burn forever inIreland. The rest, is history.
A Sacred PlaceSt Patrick lit his Paschalfire on the Hill of Slane,
kindling the flame ofIrish christianity.
Astronomers and Artists
The visual artistry of Ireland’s ancient civilisations remains to this day strikinglyfresh and modern. Knowth’s two burialchambers boast the richest and largest collection of megalithic art in Europe.Whorls and diamonds, lines and dots aregathered together into compositions ofstartling sophistication. Looking at theseimages with modern eyes one is struck bytheir surprisingly abstract decorative beauty.And when seen with the eyes of theancients in the world of the passage tomb?Are they maps of the heavens, tracking thesoul’s lost loved ones? Quite possibly.
A Mighty Battle
Looking at the painting one wouldn’t expect that the Battle of the Boyne in1690, could have such a lasting andcentral impact on people’s lives. 300years after the fact, though, and passions in Ireland still run high whenthe subject of James II’s defeat byWilliam of Orange comes up.
A Window of LightThe spectacular
passage grave atNewgrange is the
jewel in the crown ofBrú na Bóinne.
Leisure in Meath
A Very Special Place
Some say Meath is a special place andthat’s why special things happen here.The fact of the matter is that the magicwhich runs through six thousand years of Meath heritage, touches just about everything Meath has to offer.
It affects the horses. They run faster,jump higher, and keep the pace longer. Itdoes something to the fish. They’re notonly bigger and bolder in Meath, rumourhas it some can even talk. As for the golfcourses – better hold on to your clubs!
The extent of the effects astounds. Thewalks are more invigorating. The diningis finer, the celebrations livelier. Even thegardens are more colourful. And the people…
Maybe it’s the waters of the Boyne Valley.Or some unknown blessing from anancient god. Regardless of the source of Meath’s specialness, it’s worth experiencing.
Sports & Leisure
The Waters of theBoyne
The waters of LifeAt first glance the waters of the BoyneValley appear to be simply beautiful.Those meandering rivers and idylliclakes set against picturesque landscapes ofpastoral paradise. What the cursoryglance doesn’t reveal is that the waters ofthe Boyne Valley and all that lives inthem are no less than enchanted. Its difficult to explain, but suffice to say itbegins with the tree of knowledge and itsmagic acorns. These fall in the water andare eaten by the fish, which in turn…
In Meath you will find superb game,coarse and sea angling. It will satisfy theexpectations of specialist, experienced andnovice anglers alike. There is a great diversity of waters in this fishery and youare invited to sample the quality and variety of fishing for yourself.
For information on coarse and game angling and permits, canoeing and kyaking or boating adventures check thesupplement guide orwww.meathtourism.ie for details.
The Dawn CatchSilence is golden
on the tranquil watersof Meath’s rivers
and lakes.
Man and DogPaddling a corracle on
the Boyne.
Paddle Your Own Canoe
Boating, sailing and canoeing are wonderfulpleasure pastimes in Meath, but did you knowthat Meath has it's own currach, normallyassociated with the west of Ireland? Known asthe Boyne Currach or Coracle, it was widelyused by the Meath fisherfolk on the rivers andlakes in the region. They were almost circularin shape and made with a framework of ashor hazel and covered with cowhide. Rarelyseen now except as a museum exhibit but younever know what you might meet on yourboating adventure...
A Fisherman’s Solitude
Little waves put out their white tonguesJust beyond the mossy weir,Where the jewelled trout are leapingAnd the heron flings his spear.
Meath’s poet laureate, Francis Ledwidge,knew a thing or two about why anglers areso attracted to the waters of the BoyneValley. From rivers and lakes to the Irish sea -there is plenty of variety to tempt anglers tocast a line.
The Big One That Got AwayEvery angler has his or her big fish story.Here’s one from the River Boyne:An old poet, Finnéigeas, spends sevenyears trying to land the proverbial bigone, the Salmon of Knowledge. It hadbeen prophesied that whoever ate of thesalmon of knowledge would enjoysupreme wisdom. After finally landingthe mythical fish, the poet entrusts it toFionn Mac Cumhaill to be cooked. Whilesizzling away, the salmon’s skin developsa blister, which Fionn promptly burstswith his thumb, burning himself in theprocess. He places his thumb in hismouth to soothe the pain, inadvertentlytastes the salmon and becomes the recipient of the fish’s wisdom. The moralof the story: don’t ever trust the big oneto strangers.
Slane WeirCanoeing on the River
Boyne at Slane.
Sports & Leisure
Winged Horses
Chariot Races in Meath? Yes!Meath even had its own Olympic gameswell before the Greeks had theirs. Theywere called Aonach Tailteann. Mythicalyoung warriors tested their strength andprowess in a medley of the usual events:wrestling, boxing, chariot races, swimminghorses through the river at dawn, andsham aquatic fights. For this last one,an artificial lake was created, showinghow seriously the games organisers tooktheir responsibility for providing the propersporting facilities. Right from the start,sporting in Meath has meant giving thatlittle something extra.
Meath has an extensive number of equestrian centres catering for differenttypes of riding and level of ability.Laytown Races take place in August eachyear. For more information on race meetings at Fairyhouse Racecourse andNavan Racecourse check the supplementguide or www.meathtourism.ie for details.
A Matter of SkillMeath’s equestrian centres cater for all
levels of ability.
In the Hoofprints of Pegasus...
Even Pegasus started out small and had toearn his wings before taking flight in Greekmythology. Few people realise however thatPegasus was schooled in Meath (Meath’sequestrian people don’t like to blow their ownhorns). The tradition that taught Pegasus whathe knows is open to riders, too.
Chasing the WindStarting with the crack of a gun and finishingthree miles and five furlongs later with hazardsand hedges, tight corners and broad straights.This is the Irish Grand National at theFairyhouse Racecourse in Ratoath – Ireland’spremier steeplechasing event. An Easter week-end at Fairyhouse recalls the excitement ofsteeplechasing when it literally meant that:chasing the steeples from one town to thenext, accepting all challenges in a breathtakingcharge over hill and dale.
Thundering Hooves
Does an image more romantic than horsesthundering along the beach exist? Flashinghooves throwing up volleys of sand andsurf. Man and beast charging in perfectunison through the most spectacular ofnatural settings. Well, this image originated in Meath and still exists today.Laytown Strand is home to the only official strand races remaining in Europe.
Tight Round the BendThe thrills of the
racetrack.
Beware the Theba Pisana...
There’s nothing quite like a refreshing walk among the dune formations ofMeath’s coastal region. Quiet, secluded, peaceful. Then, suddenly,without warning, a theba pisana (aliashelix pisana) crosses ones path. Don’tpanic. This variety of snail is unique tothese dunes and just one of the manynatural features to keep those secludedwalks from becoming too quiet.
Sports & Leisure
Hills and Hollows
Home of the MulliganAsk any golfer of average talent whata Mulligan is and he or she will say:A Mulligan is the one free stroke allowedeach player per nine holes of play andto be played at his or her discretion.Makes perfect sense – who better todetermine when they need to repeat ashot than the players themselves. This universally brilliant and pragmatic rulingwas the brainchild of Arthur Mulligan, arenowned Meath golfing personality whoonce said,“the courses here leave me little choicebut to count creatively…”
Pain and DeprivationEvery Irish schoolchild knows how thegods of Celtic lore were required to provetheir superhuman powers with incrediblefeats of endurance and hardship. Whatfew however realise is that the gods tended to exaggerate the truth somewhatto prevent overcrowding of their favouritegetaways – for example the Boyne Wayand the Loughcrew Hills. What for thegods were tortuous trials of strength are inreality wonderful stretches of great naturalbeauty perfect for walking, hiking andcycling. Thanks to the gods’ little whitelies, they to this day remain free of overcrowding.
County Meath boasts some of the finestgolf courses in Ireland many of whichhave been designed by professional golferDes Smyth. For more information checkthe supplement guide or www.meathtourism.ie for details.
The Royal Way Beautiful countryside
rich with heritagemakes Meath an ideal
spot for walkers, hikersand cyclists.
Paradise Found...
Quality courses kept in excellent condition and the beautiful surroundings of the RoyalCounty with challenging links and championship parkland courses - this has to be every golfers paradise.
Swing and AwayMeath’s golf courses
offer plenty of challenges.
Pleasures of Meath
Food for the Senses
A Royal FeastRoyal Meath; Meath of the Pastures...thetitles that spring to mind evoke a landwith a magnificent heritage, prosperityand a rich agricultural tradition. How wisely the ancients selected their settlements along the fertile Boyne Valley,with its lush pastures and abundantwaters. Today the produce of this land canbe found on the best tables of Meath forfeasts and dining occasions fit for a King.
High Kings are demanding. They alwayswant the best: the best ingredients, thebest chefs, the best wines, the best atmosphere, the best service. To ensurethat their demands be met and be available to all who dine in County Meath,the High Kings formed the Meath GoodFood Circle. The Kings are long gone,but the ever watchful Good Food Circlemaintains standards worthy of anyroyal kitchen. Look for the plaque at eachproperty.
The Meath Good Food Circle Brochurewith a full listing of all their eating establishments is available. Checkwww.meathtourism.ie for details.
The Salmon of Knowledge?
What’s the pub life like in Meath? Well, thatcrazy Salmon of Knowledge story didn’t justinvent itself. It, along with a slew of otherwild yarns, can be traced back to eveningspinning sessions in Meath’s pubs and manyof Meath’s pubs are also famous for livelymusic sessions with plenty of craic and ceol.
A Pint and a YarnWhat better way to
relax and wind downafter an energetic day
in County Meath.
Convivial GatheringsMeath’s many finerestaurants provide
fine food with excellent service - just
the right ingredientsfor a happy dining
experience betweenfriends.
Dining like Kings
Panfried crab claws, hearty mushroom soup,fresh Boyne salmon, pheasant with apples,pears baked in red wine, roast Irish beef,steamed oysters, chocolate and hazelnuttruffle cups, homemade soda farls, braisedscallops of lamb, risotto with gorgonzola…Meath’s restaurants have something foreveryone and for every occasion.
The Last of the Great Bards
For the people of Nobber, the passingof Turlough O’Carolan, the last of thegreat Irish bards, from this life into thenext in 1738 was a tremendous blow.O’Carolan’s unparalleled ability to mesmerise the land with poetry andmusic was appreciated in all the BigHouses of the time where, in returnfor generous hospitality, he composedtunes in honour of his hosts - hismost famous piece being O’Carolan’sConcerto. His legacy lives on in theannual O’Carolan Harp Festival whichtakes place in Nobber each year.
Pleasures of Meath
A Sixth Sense ofCelebration
A Royal FestivalFestivals, music and celebrations are second nature to the people of Meath.there's simply a lot to make a big dealabout: the county's royal heritage, traditional way of life fast horses, bigfish...there is always something.
Considering Meath is only thirty milesfrom Dublin City Centre, it makes it anideal location for festivals in Ireland andhosts a number of well renowned festivalsincluding old street fairs, such asScurlogstown Olympiad, the Blue JeansFestival and the Moynalty SteamThreshing Festival. The old estate villageSlane, plays host to the world famous rockvenue, while Loughcrew hosts the annualgarden opera festival.
Ongoing events of interest ranging fromDruid gatherings on the World Famous"Hill of Tara" to Celtic traditional Irishmusic Festivals. Navan Choral festival andTrim Drama week add variety to Meath'spacked Cultural programme of events
For a full update on all festivals andevents in Meath check www.meathtourism.ie for details.
The Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Newgrange Farminvites you to search for
enchanted eggs.The Moynalty Steam
Threshing CompetitionSteam, machines and
great fun. Where Hens lay Coloured Eggs
Some people might think the egg hunt is a celebration of Easter, but that’s only half thestory. The children of Meath know the otherhalf. The hens at Newgrange are the only onesin the world to lay coloured eggs. What betterreason to celebrate?
Dragons and Steam MachinesThere aren’t many dragons roaming the Meathcountryside any more. They all mysteriouslydisappeared about the same time as Meath’s19th century farmers began using new steamgenerated threshing machines.
Now even the threshing machines are seldomseen roaming the countryside. The MoynaltySteam Threshing Competition provides a rareopportunity to see the old threshers in action.Ask the competitors where the steam comesfrom – maybe you’ll find out what happened to those dragons.
Water MusicSlane Castle, which has a naturalamphitheatre in the grounds hosts theSlane Rock Concert. One of the mostimportant stately homes in Ireland, thebuilding has been used as a location fora number of well know movies and in1984 for the recording of "TheUnforgettable Fire" by U2
Pleasures of Meath
A Celebrated Child
A True Sense of FunMyth has it that the Royal High Kings andancients of Meath revered their childrenand constantly tried to think of new ideasto amuse them and in doing so, had greatfun themselves.
The celebrations and festivals, the entertainment and atmosphere, the giftgiving – the Kings knew how to treat people right, whatever the occasion. It hasbeen claimed that they were blessed withan extra sense known as the sense ofcelebration. For those not born with theirown celebratory sense, there is a note ofconsolation. Rumour has it that it is possible to develop one simply by spending time in Meath.
Try excursions on a canal barge, enjoyriver walks with beautiful areas for picnicstops, hot air ballooning or just laze on abeach making sandcastles worthy of anyhigh king.
For more information of family entertainment check www.meathtourism.ie for details.
Sail AwayA relaxing family trip
on board a RoyalCanal Ventures canal
barge.
Splash HappySandy beaches and safebathing at Bettystown.
Lucky StrikeGreat fun for all ages at
the Funtasia entertainment complex.
It’s everything for agreat day out - all
under one roof.
The Joys of Life
Today, children hold a special place in the hearts of Meath folk, who still create newways to entertain them and their families withall sorts of inventive ideas - from open farmswhere children can touch and feel all kinds ofanimals, with teddy bear picnics and easteregg hunts to turf cutting, rope making andbodhran lessons
Pleasures of Meath
A Sense of Time andPatience
Generations of CraftAs part of the evolving heritage of Meath,the value of time has passed downthrough generations of people who havelearned to craft things of beauty. Fromexquisite pieces of jewelry or woodturningto tending the historic gardens of Meath,time and patience are the key ingredientsto producing lasting beauty and value.
Meath’s craft workers and artists havelearned to manage their time expertly, andusing the land and rivers of Meath as theirinspiration or source, create wonderfultreasures for a modern age.
Meath gardeners seem not to have heardthat Ireland is renowned for its 40 shadesof green. Then again, even if they knew it,they probably couldn’t prevent the growthof all those technicoloured blooms andbrilliant blossoms. It’s the magical mixtureof limestone soil and soft Irish rain thatmake the Royal County an ideal home foreven the most tender of plants.
For more details on artists and crafts seeMeath County Crafts at Trim VisitorCentre. For historic gardens in Meath,check the supplement guide orwww.meathtourism.ie for details.
Time and Art
The Tara Brooch and the Book of Kells areonly two of the better known examples ofthe long tradition of crafts excellence inMeath. Today’s craftspeople work withother materials and within a more earthlyprice bracket, but the philosophy is still thesame – to create something of unique andlasting beauty, to be treasured and passedon from generation to generation.
Cultivation Dreams
Even in a place as enchanted as Meath therewill be those who cultivate their own specialdream worlds – worlds with Greek andTuscan temples, gothic follies and lily ponds,flowing spaces and groves of blue cedars.They call these dream worlds gardens.
Carefully TendedLoughcrew Historic
Gardens
River Boyn
e
R156
Enfield
Clonard
Dunderry
Summerhill
Dunshaughlin
Dunboyne
Ratoath
Ashbourne
Nobber
Oldcastle
Slane
Ardee
Drogheda
Bettystown
Laytown
Navan
Trim
Athboy
Dublin
N2
N3
N1
N2
R16
3
R154
N4
Kells
R161 R154
N2
N3
N4
N1
N3
N51
N52
Dundalk/BelfastDerry
Monaghan
Cavan
R162
Kinnegad
Tara
Brú na BóinneNewgrange
Battle of theBoyne Site
Donore
Athlone
Mullingar
Riv
er
Boyne
River Blackwater
R150
Bective
Kilmessan
R159 M
1
M1
Duleek
Julianstown
Kilcock
M50
Longwood
River Boyn
e
Enfield
Dunderry
Summerhill
Dunshaughlin
Dunboyne
Ratoath
Ashbourne
Nobber
Oldcastle
Slane
Ardee
Drogheda
Bettystown
Laytown
Navan
Trim
Athboy
DublinN
2
N3
N1
N2
R16
3
R154
N4
Kells
R161 R154
N2
N3
N4
N1
N3
N51
N52
Dundalk/BelfastDerry
Monaghan
Cavan
R162
Kinnegad
Tara
Brú na BóinneNewgrange
Battle of theBoyne Site
Donore
Athlone
Mullingar
Riv
er
Boyne
River Blackwater
R150
Bective
Kilmessan
R159 M
1
M1
Duleek
Longwood
R156
Clonard
123
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Dublin
Belfast
Shannon
Cork
Galway
Rosslare
Travelling to Meath
Navan, situated in the centreof County Meath is 30 minutesdrive from Dublin Airport.The ferry ports in Dublin, DunLaoghaire and Belfast are alsoconvenient.
Regular train services fromDublin and Belfast stop inDrogheda or Laytown.
There are regular bus servicesthroughout County Meathfrom Dublin.
Meath Heritage Trail
Produced by CHAOS, DublinPhotographic images © OPW, Eoin Clarke, Des Clinton, Bord Fáilte,
Peter Gallagher, Trinity College Dublin, The National Museum ofIreland, Christies Images, Don Sutton International, Caroline Norris,
Telegraph Colour Library, Joe Byrne, Dan Henson.
Where Heritage Lives
This brochure is published by Meath Tourism Ltd., Co. Meath.It is an application of the Meath Brand Identity, financed by Meath LEADER, the NRDP and EU Initiative for Rural Development, 2000-2006.
TrimTourist Visitor CentreCastle Street, Trim046 943 7111
KellsKells Heritage CentreNavan Road, Kells046 924 7840
Brú na Bóinne, NewgrangeTourist Information CentreBrú na Bóinne, Donore041 988 0305
Our Tourist Information Centrescan also provide customiseditineraries of County Meath to suityour interests, provide informationon entertainment and leisureactivities and reserveaccommodation at approvedfacilities throughout Ireland.