- Newgrange (Brú na Bóinne): A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 5,200-year-old Neolithic passage tomb is older than the pyramids. Visitors can expect guided tours through the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, exploring the tomb’s chamber with its iconic solstice-aligned lightbox. The visitor center offers exhibits on Neolithic life, and nearby Knowth and Dowth tombs add depth. Booking is essential due to limited access.
- Hill of Tara: The ancient ceremonial and political seat of Ireland’s High Kings, set on a scenic hilltop. Visitors can expect a self-guided or guided tour of earthworks, including the Mound of the Hostages and the Lia Fáil (Stone of Destiny). The site offers panoramic views of the Boyne Valley, with a visitor center in a converted church providing historical context.
- Trim Castle: Ireland’s largest Anglo-Norman castle, a 12th-century fortress in Trim, featured in Braveheart. Visitors can expect guided tours of the keep, with its defensive features and medieval history, and access to the grounds for views along the River Boyne. The castle’s imposing structure and interpretive displays make it a must-see for history buffs.
- Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre: Located at Oldbridge, this site commemorates the 1690 battle that shaped Irish history. Visitors can expect a museum with interactive exhibits, weapons displays, and a laser model of the battle. Guided walks through the battlefield, walled garden, and restored 17th-century house offer historical insights and scenic strolls along the Boyne.
- Loughcrew Cairns: A lesser-known Neolithic site near Oldcastle, known as the “Hills of the Witch,” with passage tombs dating to 3000 BC. Visitors can expect free access to explore the cairns, with intricate megalithic art and equinox alignments at Cairn T. The hilly setting offers sweeping views, and guided tours are available seasonally for deeper insights.
- Slane Castle: An 18th-century estate near Slane, home to the Conyngham family and a famous concert venue (e.g., U2, Rolling Stones). Visitors can expect guided tours of the castle’s opulent interiors, including the ballroom, and a whiskey distillery tour with tastings of Slane Irish Whiskey. The grounds and nearby Slane Village add charm.
- Bective Abbey: A 12th-century Cistercian abbey near Navan, known for its well-preserved ruins. Visitors can expect free entry to explore the abbey’s cloisters, chapter house, and defensive walls, set in a peaceful riverside location. The site’s monastic history and photogenic stonework make it a serene stop for history enthusiasts.
- Tayto Park: Ireland’s only theme park, near Ashbourne, combining amusement rides with a zoo. Visitors can expect family-friendly attractions, including rollercoasters, a high ropes course, and a water park, alongside animals like meerkats and buffalo. Factory tours explain Tayto crisp production, and seasonal events like Halloween fright nights add excitement.
- Boyne Valley Driving Route: A scenic 225km driving trail connecting Meath’s historic sites, from Newgrange to Trim. Visitors can expect a leisurely journey through rolling countryside, with stops at ancient monuments, castles, and charming villages like Kells. The route offers flexibility to explore sites like the Hill of Slane and its monastic ruins at your own pace.
- Kells and the Book of Kells Connection: The historic town of Kells, linked to the famous Book of Kells, with a 9th-century monastic site. Visitors can expect to see a high cross, round tower, and St. Columba’s Church, plus replicas of the Book of Kells in the Kells Courthouse. The town’s heritage trail and nearby Spire of Loyd (a folly with views) offer a cultural and scenic experience.
Attractions
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth\ – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Meath:
Ireland’s county Meath is steeped in Ireland’s ancient past, with the Hill of Tara offering a glimpse into royal history and panoramic views. The UNESCO-listed Brú na Bóinne complex, including Newgrange and Knowth, showcases intricate Neolithic tombs, while Trim Castle provides medieval grandeur. Other attractions include the Boyne River’s scenic walks and historic Slane Castle. Meath is Ireland’s 14th largest county by size (2,336 square km) and eighth largest by population (220,826). Population previously peaked at 183,828 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 62,969 in 1926. In terms of hospitality, Meath is Ireland’s 19th most visited tourist county with around 122,000 international visitors per year.
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