County Meath, the Royal County and heart of Ireland’s Ancient East, rich in prehistoric sites like Brú na Bóinne (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), medieval castles, and the Boyne Valley landscape, focuses on sustainable enhancements, town rejuvenation, and strategic tourism planning in 2026. While no major entirely new physical attractions are scheduled to open, key developments include site reopenings, funded regeneration projects, and the rollout of an ambitious regional strategy to elevate experiential offerings.
- Reopening of Knowth at Brú na Bóinne: The Knowth passage tomb and its surrounding monuments, part of the World Heritage Site, reopen fully on 1 March 2026 after seasonal closure for conservation works. This restores access to one of Europe’s finest examples of Neolithic megalithic art and burial chambers, allowing guided tours from the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre to include this spectacular site once again, enhancing the overall prehistoric experience.
- Implementation of the Boyne Valley Tourism Strategy: Launched in late 2025 for Meath and Louth, this seven-year plan advances key actions in 2026, including progress towards a potential Boyne Valley National Park, enhanced Boyne Valley Food experiences, coastal tourism development along Bettystown and Laytown, and expanded active travel networks like the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway and East Coast Greenway. These initiatives aim to create immersive, sustainable itineraries connecting heritage sites, promoting longer stays and regenerative tourism.
- Town and Village Renewal Scheme Projects: Over €1.4 million in funding supports six projects progressing or completing in 2026, revitalising public spaces and boosting tourism appeal. Highlights include a new civic plaza and community café in Drumconrath (€500,000), pedestrian improvements and outdoor amenities in various towns, and feasibility studies for repurposing historic buildings like St Mary’s Church in Kilmessan and the former National School in Moynalty into visitor-friendly hubs.
- Enhanced Signage and Promotion for Boyne Valley Greenway: Additional directional signage in Navan and along routes will be explored and implemented in 2026, improving accessibility to this shared walking and cycling path along the River Boyne. Combined with broader promotional efforts, it supports active outdoor experiences linking key sites like Trim and the Battle of the Boyne.
- Ongoing Support for Festivals and Events: Continued investment in signature events like the Púca Festival (celebrating Halloween origins in Meath) and others under the Boyne Valley banner, with enhanced programming in 2026 to draw off-season visitors through music, light installations, and mythic storytelling at sites like Trim Castle and the Hill of Tara.
These developments build on County Meath’s unparalleled heritage while emphasising sustainability and community benefits. For the most current details, consult official sources such as Discover Boyne Valley, Meath County Council, Fáilte Ireland, or Heritage Ireland, as project timelines may adjust throughout the year.
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