Local Attractions

The Church is famous for housing the National Shrine to St. Oliver Plunkett, who was martyred at Tyburn in 1681. The shrine is most elaborate and contains the preserved head of the saint. Another showcase displays his shoulder blade and other bones as relics. Also on exhibit is the cell door of Newgate prison in which he spent his last days.

Between Drogheda and Slane, like Newgrange an ancient passage tomb. It is well worth a visit specially to climb to the top of the hill for the views around the East Meath. On a clear day you can see the Hill of Tara.

A walk through the bog. It is a nature reserve with loads of wildflowers, Located between Kells and Athboy.

A prehistoric monument in County Meath, located 8 kilometres west of Drogheda on the north side of the River Boyne. It is an exceptionally grand passage tomb built during the Neolithic period, around 3200 BC, making it older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. Check out Bru na Boinne website or facebook for updates when you can visit.

Start at Maiden Tower and walk along the beach of Bettystown, through Laytown and eventually on to Gormanstown. It’s a long walk so be prepared

Just off the Slane/Ashbourne road, nice walk through the woods at Balrath.

Between Navan and Dunshaughlin. This is a wide-open area of a few kilometres. Plenty of green fields and views. You can see the Cooley Mountains on a very fine day. It is a historical site – The High Kings sat there; St. Patrick was brought there in the 1798 rebellion. Also, apart from the history of the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age, the Hill of Tara is very famous for its Evie Hone-stained glass window, which can be seen at the church (visitors centre). Evie Home was an Irish painter and stained-glass artist. She is considered to be an early pioneer of cubism.

The ruins of a medieval Cistercian monastery between Navan and Trim at the banks of the River Boyne.

Like Newgrange, a passage tomb between Stamullen and the Naul. It is much smaller than the passage tomb in the Boyne Valley but there are wonderful views of the other side of the hill of Bellewstown.

Mellifont Abbey, Collon, Co. Louth, is home to a community of monks.

The Church is famous for housing the National Shrine to St. Oliver Plunkett, who was martyred at Tyburn in 1681. The shrine is most elaborate and contains the preserved head of the saint. Another showcase displays his shoulder blade and other bones as relics. Also on exhibit is the cell door of Newgate prison in which he spent his last days.

Between Slane and Drogheda on the Slane side, home place of Francis Ledwidge, a famous poet from the area who was killed in World War 1. It is now a museum based on his life.

A barbican which was built in the 13th century as part of the walled fortifications of the medieval town of Drogheda

St. Patrick lit a fire here and got arrested. There is a status of St. Patrick here today.

An old castle situated in a dramatic setting by the River Boyne, it is one of the most exciting buildings architecturally in Ireland. Famous for concerts, some of the greats like Queen, Bruce Springsteen to name a few have played here.

The ruins of a medieval Cistercian monastery between Navan and Trim at the banks of the River Boyne.

A large, fortified complex situated on a great mound on the South bank of the River Boyne located in Drogheda. The fort has played a crucial part in Drogheda’s history and has been a dominant feature from Norman settlement, to Cromwell’s invasion to the more recent Civil War in 1922.

An old monastery and castle. Views of the hill of Tara on one side and of East Meath on the other side.

Built in 1770, was used as the meeting place of Drogheda’s Borough Council, the Grand Jury and the district courthouse. built in 1770, was used as the meeting place of Drogheda’s Borough Council, the Grand Jury and the district courthouse.

In 1780, George Tandy, a former Mayor of Drogheda and brother of James Napper Tandy persuaded King George 111 to sponsor a race at Bellewstown. The race was called His Majestys Plate and was valued at £100. The tradition of summer horse racing at Bellewstown dates back centuries.

A landmark located at the highest point of the northern part of Drogheda. All that now remains of the once important Dominican Friary is the belfry tower. Lucas de Netterville, then Archbishop of Armagh, founded the monastery in about 1224.

Norman Castle in Trim. The land area of Meath was owned by the church but was granted to Hugh de Lacy in 1172 by Henry II of England as one of the new administrative areas. De Lacy built a huge ringwork castle defended by a stout double palisade and external ditch on top of the hill.