Co. Meath, East

Royal Meath. Meath of the pastures. Meath of the people. Meath of many people.......Any recent Census has confirmed what had been expected. The population of Ireland may have increased by 8%, but Meath is one of the fastest-growing places of all, its increase clocking in at 22.1% and counting.

The numbers arern’t huge in today's overcrowded and city-oriented world, perhaps, but nevertheless Meath is a county which finds itself living in interesting times. The proximity of Dublin - with the inevitable pressures of prosperity and population – can be challenging. But it also brings benefits. With an increasingly affluent and discerning population, Meath is able to support a wide variety of hospitable establishements ranging from glossy restaurants of international quality to characterful pubs deep in the heart of the country.

And the inevitable changes – for instance, the need to find ways through the county for new major roads - are projects which you feel Meath can absorb. For this is a county which is comfortable and confident with itself, and rightly so. The evidence of a rich history is everywhere in Meath. But it's a history which sits gently on a county which is enjoying its own contemporary prosperity at a pace which belies the bustle of Dublin just down the road.

And anyone with an interest in the past will find paradise in Meath, for along the Boyne Valley the neolithic tumuli at Knowth, Newgrange and Dowth are awe-inspiring, Newgrange in particular having its remarkable central chamber which is reached by the rays of sun at dawn at the winter solstice.

Just 16 kilometres to the southwest is another place of fascination, the Hill of Tara. Royal Tara was for centuries the cultural and religious capital of pre-Christian Ireland. Its fortunes began to wane with the coming of Christianity, which gradually moved the religious focal point to Armagh, though Tara was a place of national significance until it was finally abandoned in 1022 AD.

Little now remains of the ancient structures, but it is a magical place, for the approach from gently rising eastern flank gives little indication of the wonderful view of the central plain which the hill suddenly provides to the westward. It is truly inspiring, and many Irish people reckon the year is incomplete without a visit to Tara, where the view is to eternity and infinity, and the imagination takes flight.



Local Attractions and Information

Donore Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre  +353 (0)41 988 0300

Dunboyne Hamwood House & Gardens +353 (0)1 825 5210

Good Food Circle (Meath)
      c/o +353 (0)46 907 3426

Kells Grove Gardens & Tropical Bird Sanctuary +353 (0)46 923 4276

Laytown Sonairte (National Ecology Centre) +353 (0)41 982 7572

Navan Tourism Information +353 (0)46 907 3426

Navan Navan Racecourse +353 (0)46 902 1350

Newgrange , Dowth & Knowth Megalithic Tombs +353 (0)41 988 0300 / 982 4488

Oldcastle Loughcrew Historic Gardens +353 (0)49 854 1922

Oldcastle Loughcrew Passage Tombs (3000BC) +353 (0)49 854 2009

Ratoath Fairyhouse Racecourse    +353 (0)1 825 6167

Summerhill Larchill Arcadian Gardens +353 (0)1 628 7354

Tara Interpretive Centre +353 (0)46 25903

Trim Butterstream Garden +353 (0)46 943 6017

Trim Tourism Information +353 (0)46 943 7111

Trim Trim Castle (restored Norman stronghold) +353 (0)46 943 8619

Gardens

Grove GArdens - Kells County Meath ireland
Grove Gardens
Kells, Co. Meath
Pat Dillon is a gardener with attitude, a lovely attitude for he believes that gardens should be for everyone. This is a garden to interest the entire family from toddlers to grandparents. Where else would you find a fairy ring, a magic tree, al ...

Golf

Rathcore Golf & Country Club - Rathcore Enfield County Meath Ireland
Rathcore Golf and Country Club
Enfield, Co. Meath
Course Type: Parkland
A magnificently fashioned golf course offering 18 challenging holes of play set against the backdrop of the rolling drumlins of Co. Meath. Spectacular water features reflect tree-lined horizons, generous greens and wide fairways. History embraces ...

Self Catering

Clonabreany House - Self Catering Accommodation County Meath - Bedroom
Clonabreany House
Kells, Co. Meath
The cottages surround a large car-free courtyard, with ample parking at the back of the courtyard including a cosy private country bar and restaurant suitable for groups of up to 60 people. All cottages provide luxury and comfort with modern fac ...

What's On

Castlebellingham Market - County Louth - First Sunday each month
Castlebellingham Market

Bellingham Castle Hotel, Castlebellingham, County Louth

First Sunday of month 11am - 6pm

Contact:

Irish Organic Trading Ltd.

Tel: +353 ...

Tourist Attractions

TouristAttractions
Battle of the Boyne
Drogheda, Co. Louth
The Battle of the Boyne between two rival claimants of the English, Scottish, and Irish thrones King William III and his father-in-law, King James II, was fought on 1 July 1690 (11 July according to our modern calendar). French dominance in Europ ...

Wedding Venues

Wedding
Johnstown House Hotel & Spa
Enfield, Co. Meath
The closeness of the motorway may be a little alarming on arrival at this recently developed hotel and spa, but it has a carefully restored 18th century house at its heart and something of the country house atmosphere lives on. The original h ...
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