SlaneNeolithic to Christian

Welcome to Slane

Welcome to Slane, County Meath, an elegant 18thcentury hillside estate village on the beautiful RiverBoyne, only 45 minutes from Dublin city centre and 90minutes from Belfast. Situated at an importantintersection on the road from Dublin to Derry and theNorthwest of Ireland, Slane has a long tradition ofwelcoming travellers.

Slane is the access point from the N2 to 5000 year oldNewgrange, Ireland’s most important archaeologicalsite, Brú na Bóinne. It is rich in sites and legends fromthe more recent past, down to the monster popconcerts staged at Slane Castle, which have become amodern-day legend.

The early name for this beautiful little town was ‘FertaFear Fiac’ meaning ‘the Graves of the Men of Fiac’ andit appears to have taken its modern name from Slanius,a King of the legendary Fir Bolg, who is believed to beburied on the Hill of Slane.

There is no better place than the Hill of Slane tocontemplate our origins in Paganism through the birthand establishment of Christianity. It was here that St. Patrick lit the first paschal fire in Ireland, symbolisingthe triumph of Christianity over Paganism. His friend,St. Erc, founded the hill-top monastery here, which inthe 16th century became a Franciscan friary supportedby the Flemings. An Anglo-Norman motte on the hillwas the first stronghold of the Fleming family, Lords ofSlane for 500 years. They were succeeded by theConynghams who have lived here for over 300 years.

Work by some of the 18th century’s leading architectscan be seen in Slane Castle and grounds and in nearby

Newgrange © DoEH&LG

Townley Hall. It is the Conynghams who are responsiblefor the design and layout of Slane village, with itsattractive octagon at the crossroads, its well designedchurches, gate-lodges and street furniture.

The Mill is a fine example of Georgian industrialarchitecture, its weir and canal with tow-path now aninteresting walkway. Wildlife abounds here and alongthe peaceful canal banks you can see typical gates,locks and bridges as well as stately homes and ruinedcastles and an old eel weir.

Slane’s renowned World War I poet is remembered inthe Ledwidge Cottage Museum. An exploration ofLedwidge country around Slane will delight the whole family, bringing you into close contact with thelandscape that inspired the poet a century ago and stillenchants those who take the time to enjoy it. There areforest walks and wild deer at Littlewood. At NewgrangeFarm children can feed lambs, chickens and pigs.

The popular Boyne Drive passes through Slane. Forthose with sporting interests the Boyne provides excellentfishing. Horse-riding, racing, golf, tennis, walking andcanoeing are all available locally or lie within easydriving distance. It is under 20km to the coast wherethere are safe sandy beaches and miles of dunes to walk.

In Slane and its environs you will find an increasingnumber of specialist food producers, small restaurantsand craft workshops – modern gems among the ancienttreasures of County Meath. Enjoy discovering them.

See inside back cover for map.

Slane Friary © DoEH&LG

The Hill of Slane

The Hill of Slane, easily accessible, providesa vantage point from which to view alandscape containing some of Ireland’s mosthistoric sites. There is much to stimulate theimagination and to speculate aboutconcerning the hill itself.

Did Dagobert II, King of Austrasia in Gaul674–678AD, spend his childhood beingeducated in the safety of the monastery ofSlane, as oral tradition holds?

Who was Ochré who, according to onemedieval source, had a rath at Slane?

Was it Richard, Duke of York, LordLeiutenant of Ireland 1447–1460, who hadthe arms of England and France planted inthe walls of the monastery here?

The Paschal FireThere is only oral tradition to support thelegend that St. Patrick lit a fire on the Hill ofSlane to celebrate Easter in the year 433AD.Patrick’s fire challenged the Pagan law thatforbade the lighting of any other fire whilethe festive fire at Tara still burned. Ercsupported Patrick against the druids, andthe High King Laoghaire allowed Patrick tocontinue his work of preaching Christianitythroughout Ireland.

AboveThe college

Top16th century friary

on Slane Hill

1

The Bishop’s TombThe original monastery on the top of the Hillof Slane is believed to have been founded bySt. Erc. In the graveyard two stones shapedlike gable-ends are the remains of a tomb orreliquary of great antiquity known as Erc’sTomb or the Bishop’s Tomb.

The Motte of SlaneDid Baron Richard de Fleming use Ochré’srath as the basis for the Motte and fossewhich still exist on the northwest face of theHill of Slane and on which he built his first(wooden) castle? We know that he arrivedfrom Flanders via Wales and established acastle here in 1175. The Annals of the FourMasters tell us that Richard and his menmade raids into the territories of Oriel (Louth,Monaghan and Armagh), Hy-Briuin (inTyrone) and Meath and that in the year 1176men from these northern territories plunderedSlane Castle, killing Richard and over 500 ofthe English. The Flemings survived andremained Lords of Slane for 500 years.

The Friary and CollegeThe ruined buildings on top of the Hill ofSlane are the remains of a 1512reconstruction of the old monastery whichthe Fleming family re-built for theFranciscans. The church has a fine westtower, about 19m high, with an

BelowThe west tower

with commanding viewover the flat plains

of Royal Meath

earlier gothic-style window. The college, aseparate building forming a quadrangle,housed four priests, four lay-brothers andfour choristers. Look for a number of carvedheads and gargoyles. The Fleming arms areon the west wall of the quadrangle, and overthe entrance in the southwest wall are thearms of England and France referred to above.

The friary was dissolved only 30 years lateras the Reformation took effect in Ireland. In1631 the Flemings tried again to restore it,but in less than 20 years the newly-installedCapuchin monks were driven out byCromwell. It was finally abandoned as a place of worship in 1723.

Castles in Slane

Slane CastleSlane Castle is one of Ireland’s mostimportant stately homes. Overlooking theRiver Boyne, it has been the home of theConyngham family for over 300 years.When much of the castle was destroyed byfire in 1991, The Earl of Mount Charles,eldest son of the 7th Marquess Conyngham,and his wife undertook an extensive ten-year restoration programme. The castle re-opened for guided tours in 2001.

The castle in its present form dates from1785 and is built on the foundation of anearly Pale fortress. The estate was lost bythe Flemings during the WilliamiteConfiscations and was purchased by theConynghams in 1701. Originally from Scotland, they had settled in County Donegal.

Capability Browne, James Gandon andJames Wyatt, assisted by his pupil, FrancisJohnston, were all employed in the design ofSlane Castle and grounds. The roundballroom, by Thomas Hopper, completed in1821, has a superb tracery ceiling – one ofthe earliest examples of interior decorationin the Neo-Gothic style in Ireland.

Slane CastleSlane, County Meath

T +353 (0) 41 9884400

F +353 (0) 41 9820847

E enquiries@slanecastle.ie

OpenMay to August (contact above

for exact dates).Sunday, Mon, Tues,

Wed & Thurs onlyClosed Fri and Sat

Hours: 12 noon – 5 pm

AdmissionContact above

AboveThe mature tree in the graveyard is a

Chillean pine,commonly known asthe ‘monkey puzzle’.

2

Visitors to the Castle will readily understandhow King George IV, whose mistress was thefirst Marchioness Conyngham, enjoyedhimself so much on a visit to Slane in 1821that he asked at dinner one evening why hecould not stay where he was and send LordTalbot (Viceroy in Ireland at the time) asLord Lieutenant to England.

As well as having guided tours, Slane CastleDemesne is a magnificent venue forconferences, weddings and the famoussummer pop concerts, when huge numbersof young people enjoy top entertainers likeU2, Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones inthese lovely tranquil riverside surroundings.

Fenor CastleOn the hill south of the Boyne are the ruinsof Fenor Church and Fenor Castle, an early17th century house incorporating amedieval castle. A fragment of carved stonefrom Fenor Church is displayed in SlaneCatholic Church.

AboveFenor Castle

BelowSlane Castle

3

The Village

The SquareGrey limestone buildings with slated roofsare a feature of this 18th century estatevillage. Some have attractive oriel windows,stone steps, archways, wrought-iron railingsand period shopfronts. Slane’s uniquefeature is the octagon created by the groupof Georgian houses which face each otherdiagonally across the intersection of theDublin–Derry and Drogheda–Navan roads.The houses were built at different times tosimilar plans as stipulated by the landlord.The oldest, on the northwest corner wasoriginally an inn. The four houses of greylimestone, roughly coursed, have dressedquoins and cut stone window jambs withprojecting keystones. Only the doorwaysare individual. A fountain in the centre ofthe octagon has disappeared but the taperedstone bases of some of the original eightwrought-iron lamp standards have survived.

AboveOriel window

and Georgian door on Main Street

TopThe oldest of the

four houses on thesquare started life

in the 1760s as an innwhere the stage

coaches stopped

4

The Twelve ApostlesThe buildings in Slane village arecomplemented by its many mature trees.Cedar and evergreen conifers adorn theSquare. Chestnut and copper beech providea backdrop for the Church of Ireland. A rowof Western Red Cedars along the OldRectory garden wall, known as the TwelveApostles, was probably planted when theRectory was built in 1807.

The Gate-LodgeA pretty turreted gate-lodge on the bend ofthe road going down to the bridge is part ofthe Slane Castle demesne. The Conynghammonogram is on the gates. It was once usedas a school for females, supported by theMarchioness Conyngham.

The Gothic GateAt the bottom of the Mill Hill, facing the Millis the former main entrance to Slane Castle.This, with the crenellated wall leading to a turret at the bridge, was designed by Francis Johnston at the same time as he wasbuilding nearby Townley Hall (1794–1801).The coat of arms over the gate is of SirHenry Conyngham and his wife, ElizabethDenison. He inherited the Slane property in1796 and was created earl the followingyear. The arms are surmounted by an earl’scoronet and below is the Order of St.Patrick, to which he was admitted in 1801.

The Gothic Gate, the former

main entrance to Slane Castle

The Square,showing Slane’sfour distinctive

Georgian housesof grey limestone

5

6

Some Famous Slane People

Slane has produced some outstandingpeople in the field of art, craft and literature,from James Farrell of Ardmulchan, acraftsman in iron whose initials are stampedon gates all over Meath and Westmeath, tothe famous sculptor John Cassidy whosework can be seen around Britain. Some havememorials in the village.

John Boyle O’Reilly MemorialThe John Boyle O’Reilly (1844–1890)memorial in Slane commemorates this poet,publisher, rebel and humanitarian who wasborn at Dowth Castle in 1844. His concernfor his downtrodden fellow countrymen ledhim into the Fenian movement whichresulted, in 1886, in his deportation as arebel to a penal colony in Australia. Heescaped and went on to become editor ofthe Boston Pilot and one of the mostinfluential Boston Irishmen of the 19thcentury, commemorated by The O’ReillyMemorial in that city.

I am tired of planning and toiling

In the crowded hives of men;

Heart-weary of building and spoiling,

And spoiling and building again.

And I long for the dear old river,

Where I dreamed my youth away;

For a dreamer lives forever,

And a toiler dies in a day.

From ‘The Cry of a Dreamer’by John Boyle O’Reilly

Francis Ledwidge

The John Boyle O’Reilly Memorial

7

John CassidyA successful and prolific artist in VictorianBritain, John Cassidy was born atLittlewood, Slane, in 1860. Having studiedat Manchester College of Art, he lived inManchester until his death in 1939. His workwas exhibited at the Royal Academy, theRoyal Hibernian Academy and ManchesterCity Art Gallery. His public sculpture can beseen all around Britain as well as inManchester where his group ‘TheologyInspiring Science and Art’ dominates thefoyer of the John Rylands Library and hismatching statues of John Rylands and Mrs.Rylands adorn the reading room.

The Ledwidge Plaque and MuseumA plaque on Slane Bridge commemoratesthe poet Francis Ledwidge. The original,designed by Séamus Murphy, RHA, is in theLedwidge Cottage on the Drogheda roadwhere Ledwidge was born in 1887. Thismuseum illustrates the life and times of thepoet who grew up in poverty, left schoolaged 13, worked as a farm labourer, ahouseboy, a roadworker and a miner beforeenlisting in the army, only to be killed nearYpres on 31st July 1917. His richly lyricalpoetry, describing ordinary everyday life in the early 20th century countryside of the Boyne valley, is highly regarded. He isbest known for his lament for his friend,the patriot and poet, Thomas McDonagh:

He shall not hear the bittern cry

In the wild sky where he is lain,

Nor voices of the sweeter birds

Above the wailing of the rain.

1798 MemorialThe Celtic cross which stands at the top ofthe village was erected in 1951 in memoryof men of the Wexford Column killed hereduring the 1798 rebellion who are buried inthe surrounding area and also ‘the Meathmen who in May 1798 rose and died that Ireland might be free.’

Ledwidge MuseumJaneville, SlaneCounty Meath

T +353 (0) 41 982 4544

E ledwidgemuseum@ eircom.net

Open Daily 10 am – 1 pm

and 2 pm – 5.30 pm

AdmissionAdults c2.50Reductions for

students, children,

OAPs, families

and bus groups.

8

9

Churches

The Church of IrelandSt. Patrick’s Church of Ireland was built in1712 on a corner of Slane Castle demesnedonated by Sir Henry Conyngham, ‘the siteof the old being of difficult ascent’.The tower, designed by Francis Johnston,was added in 1797.

A doorway and some stones salvaged from amedieval church at Stackallan are mountedon the outside of the west wall of St. Patrick’s.Sir Barnaby Barnewall, whose arms aredepicted on the Barnewall Tablet over thedoor, married Margaret Plunkett and died in1493. One of the carved stone coffin-lidsbeside the door, dating from about 1300,commemorates Sir Richard Dexter of CastleDexter, whose ruined castle stands on theBoyne above Slane. On the south wall is alate 12th century effigy from Painstown(Beauparc) church, demolished in 1958.

AboveThe Barnewall Tablet

TopThe Church of Ireland

with tower designed byFrancis Johnston

10

The Catholic ChurchThe site for St. Patrick’s Catholic churchtogether with a donation towards itsbuilding was the gift of Earl Conyngham toFr. Michael O’Hanlon. Some years earlierthe then Colonel Conyngham’s life had beenspared by the intervention of Fr. O’Hanlonwho happened to be in Paris when theColonel was being tried there by a militarytribunal. When Fr. O’Hanlon returned toSlane as parish priest the Earl asked himwhat particular wish he had and he repliedthat his people had only a barn to worshipin. He was given the site, some money andthe belfry – an unusual one standingseparately from the church. This was tocircumvent the rule prohibiting the buildingof a belfry on a church. Over the west door is inscribed MOUNT CHARLES CHAPEL

1802. Inside, the octagonal font is from the medieval friary church and a fragment of a Celtic cross from Fenor Church isimaginatively displayed near the altar.

AboveFont from the

medieval friary

BelowColonel Conyngham’s

answer to the lawprohibiting belfrys

on churches – afreestanding belfry

11

Waterways

The MillCompleted in 1776, a time of relative peaceand considerable prosperity in Ireland, Slane Mill was the biggest flour mill in thecountry at the time. Its granaries held 5000 barrels.It is an excellent example ofGeorgian industrial architecture. Thoughsomewhat dilapidated it is still relativelyintact, its flat, grey lime-stone walls relievedby the well-proportioned windows with theirprojecting cut-stone surrounds. The MillHouse, in the same style, has an elegantGeorgian doorway.

Slane Mill survived the repeal of the CornLaws and the Great Famine of 1848, but itsgrindstones were overtaken by technologywhen roller milling was introduced in the1870s. The mill gradually became derelictuntil it was revived as a flax-scutching mill in the 1920s. In the 1930s flour bags insteadof flour were manufactured. Weaving and spinning continued here and in a newfactory nearby until the 1990s. SlaneManufacturing Company was the onlyfactory in Ireland producing sheets from raw cotton. The business closed in 1994 andthe old mill is now used by small industries.

AboveThe mill house

TopSlane Mill – at one

time the largest flourmill in Ireland

12

The Boyne CanalIn the 18th century the Boyne Canal wasbuilt to make the river navigable fromDrogheda to Navan. Horse-drawn bargescarried coal, grain and flour to and from themany mills along the river. Pleasure boatsplied the route for a while in the 19th century,bringing tourists to Newgrange and Slane.

Canal WalksBeside the 14th century Slane Bridge aretwo iron gates with cut-stone piers givingaccess to the tow-paths.The tow-pathupstream leads past the weir and continuesalong the river bank past Slane Castle withits fine parkland and splendid trees. It passesSlane Castle Lock, then Lover’s Leap (awhite rock in a wooded escarpment), intoBeau Parc estate with its classical mansion.The fisherman’s path continues toCarrickdexter Weir. The ruined DexterCastle is on the opposite bank.

Downstream the tow-path* goes to Ros naRí Mill, passing a derelict eel-weir and ‘theTunnel’, a natural arch in a 6m high rockyoutcrop, through which the canal was cut.The double lock and stone bridge at Ros naRí are fine examples of canal engineering.The path continues to Oldbridge, site of theBattle of the Boyne (see overleaf).

AboveThe weir

From the canal lock at the top of the

weir, horses wereuntackled from thebarges which were

poled across and floated down the mill-race. The

barges, loaded withflour, had to be

poled back up againstthe current.

BelowThe Boyne passes

through Slane Castle Demesne

*It may be necessaryto use the road for

a short section of thiswalk. Reasonably

stout walking shoes are recommended

for all walks.

Wildlife to look out forThe River Boyne has been designated aSpecial Area of Conservation for its otter,Atlantic salmon and river lampry. With luckyou may see a kingfisher near the water, or abuzzard (Ireland’s biggest bird of prey)swooping overhead. Mute swans areresident on the weir; Hooper swans arewinter visitors. Herons, water wagtails anddippers are plentiful. Among the dragonfliesthat feed on the reed beds in the flood planeat Slane bridge are the smaller damsel flies(variable, blue-tailed and red) and thebanded demoiselle fly. At night theDaubenton’s bat feeds over the water and there are long-eared owls in thedeciduous woods.

The Battle of the Boyne Site

The largest number of troops ever deployedon an Irish battlefield faced each other inSlane parish, near Oldbridge, in 1690 at theBattle of the Boyne. This was a battle ofEuropean significance fought on Irish soil.The defeat of the Catholic King James II ofEngland by the Protestant King William ofOrange affected the political shape ofEurope, the British throne and Protestantpower in Ireland. Both kings commandedtheir armies in person. The battle’sinternational dimension is reflected in themany nationalities of soldiers who made upthe armies: Irish, French, Germans, andWalloons versus Irish, English, Dutch,Germans and Danes.

There is a small exhibition with guided toursof the site available in the summer months.Walks, talks and displays are held duringHeritage Week in early September. The IrishGovernment, who bought the site in 1999,plans to develop a visitor centre, exhibition,walkways and a peace garden, to promoterespect and mutual understanding betweenthe different traditions on this island.

Open1 May to 30 September

Daily, 10.00–18.00

Last admission 45 mins. before closing.

Rest of year open togroup bookings (of 10

or more). Advancebookings only.

Sea lamprey© DoEH&LG

13

Brú na Bóinne – Newgrange

Ireland’s best-known collection ofprehistoric monuments, designated a WorldHeritage Site by UNESCO, is 5km down-stream from Slane. Brú na Bóinne, PaganIreland’s royal burial place, contains 37passage graves as well as the great tumuli of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. Here you can see one of the greatestdisplays of Neolithic art in Europe, datingback to 3200 BC.

Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre containsexhibitions that describe the society thatcreated the Neolithic tombs, how they werebuilt, the meaning of the megalithic art andthe solar alignments in the Boyne Valley.

Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre

Donore, Co. MeathT+353 41 9880300F +353 41 9823071

brunaboinne@ealga.ie

Open Mar–Apr

Daily 09.30–17.30 May

Daily 09.00–18.30

June–mid Sept Daily 09.00–19.00

Mid–end Sept Daily 09.00–18.30

Oct Daily 09.30–17.30

Nov–Feb Daily 09.30–17.00

Last admission 45 minsbefore closing time.

Shuttle bus for last tourleaves 1 hr 45 mins

before closing time.

Access to monumentsis by guided tour only.

NB This is a very busy site. Visitors mayexperience a delay inthe summer months.

© DoEH&LG

14

© DoEH&LG

Sports and Entertainment

As well as fishing, canoeing on the Boyne ispopular. There is horse-riding at many top-class equestrian centres nearby and racing atNavan and Fairyhouse. Townley Hall 18 holegolf course is within 7 km and several otherslie within easy driving distance. Less seriousgolfers are catered for at Stackallen pitch-and-put course, 5 km away, where tennis isalso available.

You can join in Slane’s celebration of itstraditional culture and music each year inMay and July or see the paschal fire lit onthe Hill of Slane at Easter. There is music inthe local bars throughout the year. A goodlocal taxi service will ferry those who wouldlike to sample the nightclubs in Trim, Navan,or Drogheda, all within 15 minutes drive. Anamazing variety of festivals and celebrationstakes place annually in County Meath, andthere are gardens, castles, stately homes,archaeological sites and battlefields to visit.

ShoppingWith excellent shopping facilities in nearbyNavan and Drogheda you will have no needto travel to Dublin, but if you do it is only 45minutes to the city centre and there is afrequent bus service. You will find attractiveshops and boutiques in all the local towns,some of which attract shoppers from Dublin.

AboveSeveral golf courses lie

within easy drivingdistance of Slane

TopRacing at Fairyhouse

Accommodation*

Bed and Breakfast

Hillview House B&BGernonstown, Slane, Co. MeathSituated on the R163, 2kmfrom Slane. Cosy family-runB&B with private parking. Allrooms en-suite withtea/coffee-making facilities.T +353 (0)41 982 4327E hillview@o2.ie

San Giovanni HouseDublin Road, Slane, Co. MeathLuxury home on the N2, 2kmfrom Slane. 3 large rooms, allensuite.T +353 (0)41 982 4147E newgrange

bandb@ireland.comwww.meathtourism.ie

Bondique HouseDublin Road, Slane, Co. MeathSituated on the N2, 2km fromSlane village. All rooms ensuitewith TV, tea and coffeefacilities and hairdryer. Largeprivate garden with picnic area.T +353 (0) 41 982 4823F +353 (0) 41 982 4823E bondique@iol.ie

Boyne ViewSlane Village, Co.MeathGeorgian period house over-looking scenic River Boyne withbeautiful views from all rooms.T +353 (0) 41 982 4121E heveyboyneview@eircom.netwww.meathtourism.ie

Castleview House B&BSlane Village, Co. MeathSituated in the village over-looking Slane Castle Demesne.Hairdryer, TV, tea and coffee inall ensuite bedrooms.T +353 (0) 41 982 4510E castleview@oceanfree.netwww.meathtourism.ie

Lougher Farm Lougher, Newgrange, Duleek, Co. MeathSet in quiet rural countryside, 5minutes drive from Newgrange(exit centre, turn right, secondturn left). All rooms ensuitewith tea and coffee makingfacilities.T +353 (0) 41 982 4346E lougherfarm@eircom.net

The Fáilte B&BMain Street, SlaneFriendly home in Slane village.Ideal base for viewing historicalsites as we are not far from theM1 motorway. We are in aprime location for DublinAirport. All rooms ensuite.T +353 (0) 41 9824760E thefailtebandb@eircom.netwww.thefailtebandb.com

Glebe House at Dowth17th Century Country Housenestling in the historic BoyneValley close to Newgrange andKnowth, Dowth is in the garden.All rooms ensuite. CountryHouse tea-rooms and gardens,private functions catered for.T +353 (0) 41 983 6101F +353 (0) 41 984 3469

Self-catering

Slane Farm HostelHarlinstown House, Slane, Co. MeathAward-winning hostel set on a working farm.T +353 (0) 41 988 4985F +353 (0) 41 988 4985E info@slanefarmhostel.iewww.slanefarmhostel.ie

* All accommodation issituated within 35 minutesfrom Dublin Airport

Slane Farm CottagesHarlinstown House, Slane, Co. Meath4 star award-winning cottagesconverted from old stonebuilding to provide luxuryaccommodation.T +353 (0) 41 982 4390F +353 (0) 41 988 4985E info@slanefarmcottages.comwww.slanefarmcottages.com

Hotels

The Conyngham Arms HotelMichelle MathewsMain St, Slane, Co. MeathIndividually designed bedroomswith fourposter beds. Antiquepub with superb diningrestaurant. Reservations@conynghamarms.comT +353 (0) 41 988 4444F +353 (0) 41 982 4205www.conynghamarms.com

Eating OutRoadhouse RestaurantThe Brink, Rathdrinagh, Navan, Co. MeathOpen for breakfast, lunch andevening meals 7 days a week.T +353 (0) 86 386 6489F +353 (0) 41 988 4920E derekgriffin@eircom.net

The Old Post OfficeRestaurant & Coffee ShopMain St, Slane, Co. MeathRestaurant specialising in homecooked Irish and Europeanfood. Enjoy an evening meal ina relaxing candlelit ambience.T +353 (0) 41 982 4030

Macari’s Take AwayDerry Road, Slane, Co. MeathTraditional fish and chips,kebabs, burgers, southern friedchicken and delicious pizza.T +353 (0) 41 988 4455F +353 (0) 41 988 4455

Nightlife

Pubs

Boyles PubMain St, Slane, Co. MeathBeer garden and big screen for all matches.T +353 (0) 86 884 2674

The Village InnMain St, Slane, Co. MeathEnjoy a pint in friendly surround-ings and view our extensiveSlane rock concert memorabilia.T +353 (0) 41 982 4230F +353 (0) 41 982 4230

Tourist RestRossin, Slane, Co. MeathFinest drinks and friendlyatmosphere.

Slane House BarSlane Village, Co. MeathBig screen for all major sportingevents. Beer garden. Largeroom available for privatefunctions and meetings.T +353 (0) 41 982 4706

Shops/Businesses

Coffee Shops

George’s Patisserie and DelicatessenChapel St, Slane, Co. MeathAward-winning continentalbakery and confectioners.T +353 (0) 41 982 4493E georgheise@eircom.netwww.georgespatisserie.com

Shops

Smith’s ShopRossin, Slane, Co. Meath. For allyour groceries and confectionary.T +353 (0) 41 9824272

Murphy’s CheckoutChurchlands, Slane, Co. MeathTakeaway dinners daily; joint ofthe day plus two vegs. Open tilllate 7 days.T +353 (0) 41 988 4933

McEvoy’s Farm ShopNewgrange Mall, Slane, Co. MeathHome-produced free-rangechickens and turkeys.T +353 (0) 41 988 4938

Rossin Metal SuppliesRossin, Slane, Co. MeathT +353 (0) 41 982 4492F +353 (0) 41 982 4492

Mimnagh’s Gala StoreMain St, Slane, Co. MeathPost Office, convenience storeand newsagents, confectionaryand Lotto agent. Open 7 days,7am to 9pm.T +353 (0) 41 982 4218E mimnaghsgala@eircom.net

Crafts, Gifts, Souvenirs

Connolly and Moore(crafts, antiques)4 Newgrange Mall, Slane, Co. MeathEclectic mix of crafts, interiors,antiques, jewellery, wraps, silks.T +353 (0) 41 982 4722

Pharmacy

Breen’s PharmacyMain St, Slane, Co. MeathDispensing pharmacy,medicines, healthcare advice,fine fragrances, baby care andvet and medical specialists.T +353 (0) 41 982 4222F +353 (0) 41 982 4222E smythspharmacy

@eircom.net

Hairdresser

Solitaire Hair and Beauty SalonUnits 1 and 2 Churchlands,Slane, Co. MeathFor all your hair and bodytreatments. Gift certificates andbridal packages available.T +353 (0) 41 982 0866F +353 (0) 41 982 0866

Laundrette

Spick and Span Laundrette3 Newgrange Mall, Slane, Co. MeathLocal area collection anddelivery. Dry cleaning serviceprovided.T +353 (0) 41 982 0959F +353 (0) 41 988 4920E derekgriffin@eircom.net

Service Station

Smyths Service StationDerry Road, Slane, Co. MeathLondis food store, deli, wine,ATM, petrol, diesel.T +353 (0) 41 982 4555F +353 (0) 41 982 4555

Garden Centre

Boyne Garden CentreArdcalf, Slane, Co. MeathT +353 (0) 41 982 4380F +353 (0) 41 982 4350E boynegardencentre

@eircom.netwww.boynegardencentre.com

Post Office

Mimnagh’s Gala Store(see Shops)

Taxi and Car HirePractical Car and Van RentalNorth Road, Slane, Co. Meath, also Navan,Drogheda, DundalkCentral Booking T 1850 210 250T +353 (0) 41 982 4025F +353 (0) 41 982 4882E info@

practicalcarandvanhire.com

M and L Cabs and Mini Bus Hire LtdSlane, Co. MeathT +353 (0) 87 214 3088 Cab

+353 (0) 86 360 1338 Bus

Activities/AttractionsTankardstown HouseBoyne Valley, Co. MeathGeorgian Manor Houseattributed by some to FrancisJohnston and set in 60 acres ofparkland. Winner of the EllisonAward for restoration and gooddesign in 2004.T +353 (0) 46 982 4621F +353 (0) 46 982 4622E tconroy@fastnethomes.co.uk

Newgrange Farm andCoffee ShopIreland’s leading open visitor’sfarm where everyone can see,hold and feed animals and poultry.Play areas provided. Wonderfulday out for all the family. OpenEaster Sunday – September 1st.T +353 (0) 41 982 4119F +353 (0) 41 982 4119E farmerbill

@newgrangefarm.com

Horse Racing

Navan RacecourseProudstown, Navan, Co. MeathSuperb N.H. racecourse, 1 ml 4furlongs set in 180 acres. Publicbar/restaurant. Suites availablefor meetings and functions.T +353 (0) 46 902 1350F +353 (0) 46 902 7694E info@navanracecourse.ie

Golf Clubs and Tennis

Stackallen Tennis and Pitch and Putt ClubStackallen, Slane, Co. Meath18 hole pitch and putt course, 6 all-weather floodlit tenniscourts. Green fees and courtfees available. 2km from Slane.T +353 (0) 41 982 4279

Townley Hall Golf Club and Driving RangeTownley Hall Road, Tullyallen,Drogheda, Co. LouthT +353 (0) 41 984 2229F +353 (0) 41 984 2229

Bellewstown Golf CourseBellewstown, Co. MeathSituated north-east ofBellewstown Racecourse. Par72 pay and play facility. 18holes played over 6,700 yardswith beautiful fairways leadingto state of the art USGA greens.T +353 (0) 41 988 2757E bellewstowngolf@eircom.netwww.bellewstowngolf.com

Walking and Cycling

Newgrange Slane Bike HireSlane, Co. MeathExplore the beauties of theBoyne Valley at your leisure.Bikes for adults and children.T +353 (0) 86 069 5771E kevinohand@eircom.net

Townley Hall Forest ParkDrogheda Road, Slane, Co. MeathExplore the many trails throughthis wood overlooking the River Boyne.

Littlewood Forest ParkCollon Road, Slane, Co. MeathMany trails and interestingwildlife to be seen.

ToursSlane CastleSlane, Co. MeathT +353 (0) 41 988 4400F +353 (0) 41 982 4401E slanecastle@oceanfree.netwww.slanecastle.ie

A History of Slane Walking ToursMick Kelly, Slane, Co. MeathA history of Slane on a walkingtour every evening startingfrom the hotel at 7 o’clock.Duration 2 hours.T +353 (0) 87 937 7040

This project has been co-financed by Meath LEADER through theNational Rural Development Programme under the NationalDevelopment Plan 2000–2006. Supported by the European Union andthe Irish Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

< Map Cover photo (Hill of

Slane) and others

noted throughout this

publication by kind

permission of the

Department of

Environment, Heritage

& Local Government.

LedwidgeCottage

Hill of Slane

Knowth

N

Slane Castle

Canal

LittlewoodForestPark

T

Gallows Hill

B

N51 toNavan

N2 toArdee andMonaghan

N2 toAshbourneand Dublin

R163 toKells

River Boyne

T O B R Ú N A B Ó I N N E I N T E R P R E T I V E C E N T R E

T O B R Ú N A B Ó I N N E I N T E R P R E T I V E C E N T R E

1

7

3

211

12

9

8

65

10 4

Slane

1. The Hill of Slane

2. Slane Castle

3. Fenor Castle

4. The Square

Slane

5. Gate-Lodge

6. Gothic Gate

7. John Boyle O’Reilly

Memorial

8. Ledwidge Plaque

and Museum

Newgrange

S

N51 toDrogheda

and M1

L

Townley HallForest Park

G

Brú na BóinneInterpretive Centre

N

River Boy

ne

13

14

9. 1798 Memorial

10. Church of Ireland

11. Catholic Church

12. The Mill

13. Battle of the Boyne

Site

14. Brú na Bóinne –

Newgrange

Tow-path walk

Slane – Newgrange:Defining moments in Ireland’s past

Maybe it has something to do with the

lushness of the area’s rolling landscape,

or the way the river winds its way through

verdant hills, forests and fields? Whatever

the reason, there is something special about

this stretch of the Boyne Valley. It is here that

Ireland's history has been written and the

River Boyne has been central to the story.

Slane is an elegant 18th century village,

synonymous with St. Patrick but steeped in

history of every vintage.

Slane is situated on the N2 and off the M1

just 40 minutes from Dublin and 30 minutes

from Dublin Airport.

www.slane.comwww.meathtourism.ie

HillTara

of

N3

N2

M1

N4

N2to

DerryN3

N51

N51

R163R154

R164

R154

R154

N3R158R

159

R161

R160

M1

R163

Dublin

Navan

Oldcastle Kells

Mullingar

Brú na Bóinne(Newgrange)

Kilcock

Trim

SLANEDrogheda

River Boyne

Rive

rBo

yne

Belfast

Dublin

Cork

Galway

Shannon