These are the top three places in the annual tidy towns competition in Ireland’s county Meath
- 1st: Trim – The historic heart of Meath, Trim is dominated by the magnificent Trim Castle, Ireland’s largest Anglo-Norman castle, which featured in the film ‘Braveheart’. The town is meticulously maintained, with heritage trails along the River Boyne, the evocative ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey, and a proud, traditional streetscape that immerses visitors in medieval history.
- 2nd: Moynalty – A multi-award-winning village known as “The Daffodil Village,” Moynalty comes alive each spring with stunning displays. Its centrepiece is the superb steam-threshing museum and heritage park. This tight-knit farming community excels in rural tidiness, with beautiful flower beds, a tranquil village green, and a famous traditional harvest festival.
- 3rd: Athboy – Steeped in ancient history as a probable site of the Gaelic festival of Samhain (the origin of Halloween), Athboy is a vibrant market town with a strong sporting and community ethos. Its tidy, appealing streets lead to historic sites like the medieval church tower, and it serves as a friendly base for exploring the Boyne Valley.
The 2025 Irish Restaurant Award winners for county Meath
- Overall; Zucchini’s Restaurant, Navan
- Café: The Happy Cup
- Casual Dining: Tribe Restaurant Duleek
- Chef: Mahipal Singh, Cinnamon Garden Restaurant
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: The Vanilla Pod Restaurant at Headfort Arms Hotel
- Customer Service: Hogan’s Farm Shop & Cafe
- Employee Excellence Award: Laura Jenkins, La Bucca Ratoath
- Gastro Pub: The Central Navan
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: Brabazon Restaurant at Tankardstown House
- Innovator: Tribe Restaurant Duleek
- Local Food Hero: The Flaherty Family of What’s for Pudding
- Newcomer: Stonewall Coffee
- Pub: Swan’s Bar
- Restaurant Manager: Christopher White, The Pigeon House Restaurant
- Sustainable Practices: Headfort Arms Hotel
- Use of Social Media: WTF Burgers
- Wine Experience: Brabazon Restaurant at Tankardstown House
- World Cuisine: Cinnamon Garden Restaurant
Awards
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
Restaurant awards
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
Meath:
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels8 – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Musicians – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets– Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
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.
2025 Irish Restaurant awards by county:
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
