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Home , 11th century in Ireland, Abbey of Kells, Athboy, Athlumney Castle, Battle of Tara (Ireland), Battle of the Boyne

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Discover ’s rich heritage! New Boyne Valley Drive Map Enclosed 14 R132 KEY 15 01 Trim Heritage Town 13 02 Trim 11 03 Bective Abbey N51 12 04 05 Church 10 06 Town 16 07 Ardmulchan Church 17 18 Discover Ireland’s 08 Bru na Boinne – 08 Donore & 19 09 Abbey 20 rich heritage! 21 09 Duleek 10 22 07 11 Drogheda Heritage Town 12 Drogheda Museum, Millmount 06 Navan 13 Beaulieu House 14 15 Old 16 23 R147 17 R147 18 Museum 19 Slane Village 20 Hill of Slane 05 04 25 21 24 Tara Kells 22 Donaghmore Cemetery 27 & Round Tower 03 26 23 24 Kells Heritage Town R163 Oldcastle 28 Dunsany 25 Kells Monastic Site 26 Spire of Lloyd 29 Duleek Church 27 Patrickstown Viewing Point Ballinlough & 28 Oldcastle 29 R154 Killmessan R154

Boyne Valley 01 Region 02 Trim

2 FORFOR MOREMORE INFORMATIONINFORMATION GOGO TOTO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IEWWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE Detailed map available at the back of the guideFOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE 1 Discover Ireland’s rich heritage!

Map No. Page No.

Introduction 04 Archaeological & Historical Timeline 06

01 Trim Heritage Town 08 02 10 03 05 07 Bective Abbey, Skryne, Ardmulchan 12 04 Hill of Tara 14 06 Navan Town 16 08 Brú na Bóinne – Newgrange & Knowth 18 09 Duleek Abbey 21 10 Battle of the Boyne 22 11 Drogheda Town 24 St. Peter’s Church, Highlanes Gallery 26 12 Drogheda Museum, Millmount 28 13 Beaulieu House 30 14 Monasterboice 32 15 Old Mellifont Abbey 36 16 18 Townley Hall, Francis Ledwidge Museum 38 19 21 Slane Village & Slane Castle 40 20 17 Hill of Slane, Dowth 42 22 23 Donaghmore Round Tower, Donaghpatrick 44 24 25 Kells Town & Monastic Site 46 26 27 28 Spire of Lloyd, Patrickstown View, Oldcastle 48 29 Loughcrew Gardens & 50

Myths & Legends 52 Schematic map 58

Every care has been taken to ensure accuracy in the completion of this brochure. Fáilte Ireland cannot however, accept responsibility for errors or omissions but where such are brought to our attention, future publications will be amended accordingly. It is recommended that you pre-check the details of events/attractions listed before travelling.© Copyright Fáilte Ireland PRINTED IN IRELAND

22 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE OR WWW.DISCOVERIRELAND.IE/BOYNEVALLEY FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE O R WWW.DISCOVERIRELAND.IE/BOYNEVALLEY 3 “So memorable in ancient history, and so rich in monuments of the past is it … that the might be written in tracing its banks.”

William Wilde, The Beauties of the Boyne (1849)

The Boyne Valley

The Boyne Valley is situated in the east You can stand in awe at the gates of of continuous human settlement along vital for travel and trade. The River of Ireland. It is at once Ireland’s ancient Trim Castle, the largest Anglo-Norman the banks of the Boyne – stretching Boyne, which derives its name from the capital and its most sacred and mythical castle in Europe, or pay your respects at 7-*8'$62#'362'9)..2//)-:';$'("<'0)0' legendary Celtic goddess Bóann (see landscape. In 1849 William Wilde, father the shrine of St. . prehistoric people settle and thrive Myths & Legends, p. 52), has long been of , wrote of the Boyne that the along the banks of this river? The recognised as one of Ireland’s most history of Ireland may be traced through Boyne: River & Valley answer lies in the landscape and climate important waterways. its monuments. This remains true today. The is the principal of the region. Moreover, its sites and monuments are waterway in , the most easterly In the 2nd century AD the Greek amongst the best examples of their of the Irish provinces. The river rises at The richness of the soil in the lands geographer, Claudius Ptolemy recorded kind in Europe and are all within a short Trinity Well, near Carbury, Co. Kildare bordering and drained by the Boyne the outline of the island of Ireland in the distance of each other. In one day you and meanders slowly north-eastwards was ideal for farmers (who form of a set of coordinates showing can visit the great prehistoric tombs at through the gentle and fertile plains began to arrive in Ireland around 0)=2#2/!'&2$&#-1")*-.'>2-!%#2,',%*"' Brú na Bóinne (Newgrange) and the site of Co. Meath before entering the Irish 4,000 BC). Moreover, the east coast of as headlands and rivers. He included of the infamous Battle of the Boyne. Sea at Drogheda, Co. Louth. The valley Ireland, between Dublin and Drogheda, on this map, in his own language, the You can look out from the Hill of Tara, !"#$%&"'(")*"')!'+$(,'),'-'.-/0,*-12' is the driest part of the country and names of several Irish tribes, cities and sharing the view with the ancient High of large farms, celebrated for their ideally suited to growing crops. The rivers, including ‘Bouvinda’ – the Boyne. Kings of Ireland, or be mesmerised by 3/2'1-,!%#2,4'1)*!%#2,5%2'6)..-&2,'-/0' river was valuable as a source of food the detail of the Celtic Crosses at Kells. thriving towns. There is a long history and, long before roads, its waters were

4 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE 5 Boyne V alley Archaeological & Historical Timeline

Mesolithic Period Neolithic Period Bronze Age Iron Age Early Christian Period 7000 – 4000 BC 4000 – 2200 BC 2200 – 600 BC 600 BC – 400 AD 400 – 790 AD

c. 7000 BC c. 4000 BC Early activity at Tara 227 - 266 AD 433 AD Our journey begins 9,000 First Mesolithic First wave of Neolithic Legendary King of Ireland St. Patrick returns to years ago after the great ice hunter gatherers farmers arrive in Ireland reigns Ireland & lights Paschal arrive in Ireland from Tara 3#2'-!'B)..'$>';.-/2 sheets that covered Ireland c. 3200 BC during the last Ice Age had Newgrange, 521 AD retreated. The island was Dowth & Knowth St. Buite, founder of Monasterboice, dies wild, uninhabited and c. 3000 BC Loughcrew "2-6).<'($$020:'C"2'3#,!' people – Stone Age hunters – were drawn to Irish shores in search of food.

Viking Age Medieval Period Post-Medieval Period Industrial Age Modern Age 790 – 1169 AD 1169 – 1550 AD 1550 – 1800 AD 1800 – 1900 AD 1900 – present

804 AD 1169 AD 1641 AD 1808 AD 1953 Kells monastery founded by Anglo- arrive Rebellion Millmount Mortello Tower is Pierce Brosnan, former monks from St. ’s in Ireland constructed James Bond, & honorary foundation, 1649 AD OBE, is born in Navan 1172 AD Cromwell’s Siege of Drogheda 1843 AD 980 AD Henry II grants Meath to One million people attend 1986 Hugh 1681 AD Daniel O’Connell’s ‘monster Freddy Mercury & Queen St. Oliver Plunkett martyred meeting’ at Tara play Slane Castle 1007 AD 1173 AD stolen 1690 AD Trim Castle built by 1847 AD Battle of the Boyne 1993 Hugh de Lacy Worst year of the Great 1022 AD Newgrange, Knowth & 1699 AD Famine, known as ‘Black ‘47’ Dowth become UNESCO Tara abandoned as 1194 AD Newgrange is ‘discovered’ World Heritage sites seat of the High Kings Drogheda-in-Meath of Ireland 1855 AD granted charter and Boyne Viaduct railway bridge 1785 AD May 2008 ?$@*)-..$%/020'' completed 1142 AD Slane Castle is reconstructed Visitor Centre at the Mellifont Abbey is Battle of the Boyne 1494 AD 1798 AD 1887 AD founded by St. Malachy ,)!2'$@*)-..<'$12/20' Poyning’s Law passed in Rising Francis Ledwidge, poet, born of by Bertie Drogheda outside Slane, Co. Meath Ahern and First 1152 AD Minister of Northern 1512 AD Slane Abbey is Ireland, Dr. constructed

6 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE 7 Trim

Trim contains more Medieval buildings than any town in Ireland

Trim is situated on the banks of the River Boyne in an area of fertile plains. The town developed around Trim Castle, straddling the river to the north and west of the castle. In the 13th century the town was enclosed within a circuit of stone walls. Augustinian (1202), Franciscan (1260), and Dominican (1263) friaries were established, indicating is credited with Napoleon’s defeat at the more about how the coming of the Normans the growing prosperity of the town. In the later medieval period Trim Battle of Waterloo in 1815, and later served -=2*!20'!"2'-#2-:'C"2'6),)!$#'*2/!#2'-.,$' became an increasingly exposed frontier, standing between the hostile as Prime Minister of (1828-30). has a tourist information point, gift and worlds of the Anglo-Normans and the Gaelic Irish. Don Ambrosio O’Higgins (1720 – 1801), the *$=22',"$1: Spanish Viceroy of Peru and Chile, was born at Did you know? There is a small Gaeltacht (Irish- . His son, Bernardo O’Higgins, speaking community) at Ráth (Rathcarne), Aside from Trim Castle, which dominates unaltered bridge (dating from 1393) crosses went on to become the ‘Liberator of Chile’. the town, the fragments of the medieval the Boyne at Trim (on Bridge St., Trim). near Trim. In the 1930s a total of 443 people from Connemara in the west of Ireland town are still clearly visible. The wall which The town of Athboy – 17km west of Navan (2#2'#2,2!!.20'$/'.-/0'-*5%)#20'7<'!"2'M-/0' circled the settlement is visible in part, mainly A few kilometres downstream from Trim $/'!"2'GHI'J'$=2#,'-'"2#)!-&2'!#-).4'-/0' N$99),,)$/:'L!'#2*2)620'$@*)-.'#2*$&/)!)$/'-,'-' around Castle St. and Emmet St. west of the stand the ruins of Newtown Trim – a large spectacular views across the from castle. The Sheep Gate is the only surviving of medieval cathedral, two monasteries and a an Iron Age fort atop the where, Gaeltacht in 1967. several medieval gateways to the town. The small church. These ruins symbolise the failed right up until the 12th Century, the wild, In Trim town you can walk along the River Boyne jagged Yellow Steeple was formerly a seven- -!!291!'7<'!"2'3#,!'D/&.),"'E),"$1'$>'F2-!"4' Pagan festival of ‘Oiche ’ ( and see the ruins of St. Peter & Paul Cathedral storied church tower belonging to St Mary’s Simon de Rochfort, to establish a rival town to Night ) was celebrated (October 31) with ritual and the Hospital of St John The Baptist. Visitors Augustinian Abbey, it gets its name from de Lacy’s Trim. 7$/3#2,'!$'"2#-.0'!"2'-##)6-.'$>'K)/!2#:'L!'),' can call into the Visitor Centre for a town map the colour of the stonework in the evening believed that Halloween began here at the Hill and more details about the walk. sun. St Patrick’s Church () During the early 1700s Jonathan Swift, author of Ward. This is celebrated annually through is primarily a 19th century structure, though of Gulliver’s Travels, lived at Laracor, near the Halloween Spirits of Meath Festival. Contact Details: with medieval remains. Trim, where he served as vicar to a small C#)9'O),)!$#'N2/!#2'-/0'P-91-#!,'N$=22';"$14' congregation. Arthur Wellesley, better known Housed in the Old Town Hall building Castle St, Trim, Co. Meath T: +353 (0)46 9437227 The tower on its west face incorporates as the Duke of Wellington or ‘the Iron Duke’, Trim Visitor Centre has an audio visual F: +353 (0)46 9438053 the arms of Richard, Duke of York, Lord was educated at Trim and spent much of presentation titled “The Power & the Glory”. of Trim and Viceroy in Ireland from 1449. his childhood at the nearby Dangan Castle, E: [email protected] Here visitors can learn more about life in W: www.meathtourism.ie Interestingly, Ireland’s oldest complete and his father’s country house (now in ruins). He medieval Trim and as well as GPS: 53.554778 , -6.789759

8 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR OPENING TIMES AND ADMISSION DETAILS PLEASE SEE PULL OUT INSERT AT THE BACK 9 Trim Castle

King of (and last High King of visitors can get the sense of security that Ireland), attacked and it was destroyed. would have been felt by the de Lacy family The following year work began on a more in a hostile landscape. Although, standing permanent stone replacement and over the outside you can sense the following decades Hugh de Lacy (d. 1186) intimidation that must surely have been and his son Walter constructed the largest felt by the native population. Anglo-Norman castle in Europe. Did you know? Trim Castle served as Initially a stone keep, or tower, replaced a ‘castle double’ for York Castle in Mel !"2'($$02/'>$#!)3*-!)$/:'C"2'8221'(-,' Gibson’s 1996 Oscar-winning movie remodelled and then surrounded by curtain Braveheart. walls and a moat. The wall, punctuated by David McLean DMC-Photography ,262#-.'!$(2#,'-/0'-'&-!2"$%,24'>$#!)320' Contact Details: an area of about 3 acres. Most of the castle Trim Castle, Trim, Co. Meath visible today was completed by 1220. T: +353 (0)46 9438619 F: +353 (0)46 9438618 Trim Castle is the largest, C"2'%/)5%2'!(2/!$#9' E: [email protected] design of the keep (with walls 3m thick) is W: www.heritageireland.ie best-preserved & most impressive an example of the experimental military GPS: 53.554778, -6.789759 architecture of the period. It served as both Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland the domestic and administrative centre of the castle. By 1500 much of Ireland was Trim get its name from the Irish Áth Truim, meaning ‘The Ford of the back in the hands of Gaelic Chieftains and the territory under English control had * An Artist Impression, as it might have looked Elder Trees’, indicating that this was an important fording point on been reduced to an area around Dublin, in its heyday, illustration by Uto Hogerzeil !"2'P)62#'E$'!"),'*#$,,)/&'1$)/!'!"-!' known as ‘’. By this time Trim Castle was in decline, however, it remained 7<'!"2'3>!"'*2/!%#<'-'*")2>!-)/A,'0Q/'R>$#!S'-/0'-/'2-#.<'9$/-,!2#<' an important outpost protecting the north- were sited here. western frontier of The Pale.

In 1172, shortly after the arrival of the For strategic reasons, de Lacy decided Over the centuries Trim Castle was Anglo-, King Henry to make Trim, rather than Drogheda, the adapted to suit the domestic needs of its II granted Hugh de Lacy the Kingdom of *2/!#2'$>'"),'/2(.<'-*5%)#20'.$#0,")1:' owners and the changing political climate. Meath, along with custody of Dublin. The De Lacy converted a into a However, much of its fabric has remained King feared that Strongbow (Richard de wooden castle with a spiked stockade. unchanged since the height of Anglo- Clare) might set up a rival Anglo-Norman This structure was seen as a threat by the Norman power in Ireland. Even today when kingdom in Ireland. Gaelic Irish and in 1174 Rory O’Connor, standing within the walls of the castle

10 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR OPENING TIMES AND ADMISSION DETAILS PLEASE SEE PULL OUT INSERT AT THE BACK 11 Bective Abbey Ardmulchan Church

The ruins of Ardmulchan Church and Graveyard lie on an elevated site overlooking the River Boyne. Probably built in the late 12th century, the Church’s remains include, at the west end, a r&c ardill, www.irelandupclose.com "-/0,$92',5%-#2'72..'!$(2#:'C"2'!$(2#A,' &#$%/0'+$$#'),'-.9$,!')/!-*!4'6-%.!20'()!"' an elaborate stairway. Very little else of Did you know? Many sites along the River the original building is extant, but the Boyne are connected with the Celtic cow Bective Abbey was founded in 1147 for ,)!2'$=2#,'.%W%#)-/!'6)2(,'$>'!"2'E$

It was Ireland’s second Cistercian Abbey; The Order had been founded to recapture Skryne Church a ‘daughter house’ to nearby Mellifont the original simplicity of monastic life; this (see p. 36). Bective became an important (-,'#2+2*!20')/'!"2)#'#2,!#-)/20'7%).0)/&,:' A 15th century church ruin, known locally monastic settlement, but was suppressed The cloister - a covered passageway which as Skryne Tower, perches atop The Hill of following the dissolution of the opened onto and surrounded an enclosed Skryne. The Church ruin is well-preserved, Monasteries under King Henry VIII in courtyard - was an essential element, displaying medieval pointed arches and 1543. The lands were then rented, and separating the world of the monks from an impressive tower. The Church has long the monastery began to be used as a that of ordinary people. Today, the ruins been associated with St. Colmcille (a.k.a. >$#!)320'"$%,2:'C"2'!$(2#'(-,'*$/,!#%*!20' provide a maze of passageways with dead St. Columba), founder of the monastery at at this time, granting the structure an ends and interrupted staircases, all asking Kells. The name Skryne derives from the imposing appearance. to be explored. Irish Scrín Cholm Cille, meaning ‘Colmcille’s r&c ardill, www.irelandupclose.com shrine’: legend suggests the Saint’s relics The remains now visible at the Abbey date Did you know? The word cloister comes rested for a time in the old monastery. Did you know? At the foot of the tower mainly from the 13th to 15th centuries. from the Latin word, ‘claustrum’, meaning V/'-!!#-*!)62'*-#6)/&'$>'-'9-.2'3&%#2'),' is a pub and stables that feature in They include the church, chapter house and enclosure. Bective Abbey was used as a to be found inside the church ruin, above the Guinness “White ” television cloister. The cloister ruins are particularly .$*-!)$/'>$#'!"2'3.9'?E#-62"2-#!A'RIUUHS: a doorway – allegedly a rendition of St. advertisement. well-preserved and feature pointed, gothic Colmcille/Columba. arches typical of Cistercian architecture. GPS: 53.581866, -6.703720

12 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE 13 The Hill Of Tara

The Hill of Tara was the seat of the High Kings of Ireland and the most sacred site in ancient Ireland

The Hill of Tara is a low-lying ridge located between Navan and X%/,"-%&".)/')/'N$:'F2-!":'L!'),',-)0'!"-!'-'5%-#!2#'$>'!"2'.-/0,*-12' of Ireland can be seen from the hill. Tara gets its name from Teamhair na Rí meaning ‘sanctuary of the kings’ and it is important

as the traditional inauguration site of the ancient High Kings of * An Artist Impression, as it might have looked in its heyday, illustration by Uto Hogerzeil Ireland. Although few of its monuments survive the test of time, it is an evocative place, much celebrated in Irish myth and legend. C2-*"'F)$0*"%-#!-'RC"2'E-/5%2!)/&'B-..S4' [2-!,4'82<'3&%#2,')/'!"2'\-2.)*'P26)6-.4'-,' Rath na Rí (The Fort of the Kings), Teach ‘the most consecrated spot in Ireland’. Tara was an important site long before Westmeath and large parts of and Cormaic (Cormac’s House), Rath Gráinne the High Kings. A passage tomb known Longford. The title ‘King of Tara’ always (The Fort of Gráinne), Rath na Seanadh Did you know? A group of British Israelites as Dumha na nGiall (meaning ‘the mound implied a special power, however, it was (The Rath of the Synods) and Claoin nearly destroyed Rath na Seanadh (The of the hostages’) is the oldest visible not until the 9th century AD that the title Fhearta (The Sloping Trenches). Rath of the Synods) between 1899 monument and dates from around 3,000 became synonymous with The High King and 1902. They believed the Ark of the BC. However, Tara became truly important of Ireland. V.!"$%&"'C-#-'(-,'3/-..<'-7-/0$/20'7<' Covenant was buried there. in the Iron Age (600 BC to 400 AD) and Mael Shechlainn, , in into the Early Christian Period. In 433 St. One of the most interesting monuments at 1022 it continued to play an important Contact Details: Patrick from the nearby Hill of Slane lit the Tara is the Lia Fáil (Stone of Destiny), which symbolic role in Irish history into the Hill of Tara, Tara, Navan, Co. Meath Y-,*"-.'3#2')/'023-/*2'$>'!"2'1-&-/'Z)/&' is a standing stone located within an area modern period. In 1843 an estimated T & F: +353 (0)46 9025903 of Tara (see Myths & Legends, p. 52). known as the Forrad (The Royal Seat). This one million people gathered there to hear E: [email protected] was the inauguration stone of the Kings Daniel ‘The Liberator’ O’Connell speak W: www.heritageireland.ie Tara was the royal centre of Mide (meaning of Tara. According to tradition, when a against the Union of Great Britain and GPS: 53.581274, -6.609628 ?!"2'9)00.2'8)/&0$9AS4'!"2'3>!"'1#$6)/*2' true Irish or Scottish King placed his foot Ireland. In 1902, in a letter to the Editor of of ancient Ireland. It incorporated the on Lia Fáil it cried out to announce his The Times, Tara was described by Douglas present Co. Meath and what is now rightful reign. Other monuments include Hyde, George Moore and William Butler

14 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR OPENING TIMES AND ADMISSION DETAILS PLEASE SEE PULL OUT INSERT AT THE BACK 15 Navan

Situated in the heart of the Boyne Valley, Navan is an ideal base from which to explore the nearby attractions of Brú ná Bóinne, the Hill of Tara, and the historic towns of Kells and Trim

C"2'7%#&2$/)/&'!$(/'$>'G-6-/'.)2,'-!'!"2'*$/+%2/*2'$>'!"2'#)62#,' Solstice Arts Centre Boyne and Blackwater. It is the , or administrative capital, as it came to be known, was adopted by Navan town has a self guided signed of Co. Meath. The name Navan has long confused etymologists. It is the Royal Navy in 1838 when it became walking trail – Navan Points of Pride. thought that it may take its name from the Irish An Uaimh, meaning mandatory for all ship’s log entries. The Commence at the Solstice Arts Centre ‘the cave’ or perhaps from Nuachongbhail, meaning ‘new habitation’. 13-point scale ranges from 0 (calm) to where a brochure, map and audio guide 12 (hurricane); with this scale also came can be obtained. descriptions of the state of the sea. G-6-/'.)2,'-!'!"2'*$/+%2/*2'$>'!"2'#)62#,' The ruins of facing From this standard, sailors were able to Did you know? Navan is the only Boyne and Blackwater which has long been Navan across the Boyne are located in the predict how ships would react in certain palindromic place in the Republic of a site of strategic importance. A burial site town. It consists of two distinct buildings; wind speeds. Ireland, meaning that its name is spelled close to where the two rivers meet has an original tower house built in the 15th the same from left to right, or right to left. 722/')02/!)320'-,'XQ/'X%7*"$9-)#4'("2#2' century and a Tudor mansion built around Navan is also the childhood home of Europe’s longest palindromic placename -'O)8)/&'+22!'),'#21%!20'!$'"-62'.-/020:' 1600. The house was burned by the Y)2#*2'E#$,/-/4'!"2'3>!"'-*!$#'!$'1.-<'!"2' is Assamassa, Portugal and the shortest is The Anglo-Normans also recognised the ’s in 1649 rather than allow Oliver acclaimed role as James Bond. Comedians Ee, Netherlands (Holland). importance of this location and around Cromwell shelter within its walls. Dylan Moran and Tommy Tiernan, 1185 Joselyn de Angulo converted a and television personality Hector Ó Contact Details: nearby glacial mound into a motte and Navan is famous for being the birthplace hEochagáin also hail from the town. Solstice Arts Centre & Tourist Information Point bailey castle. Legend tells that this mound of Francis Beaufort (1774 - 1857), who Railway St, Navan, Co. Meath was the burial site of Odhbha, the wife of developed the Beaufort Scale of wind G-6-/4'$=2#,'-'6-#)2!<'$>'5%-.)!<' T: +353 (0)46 9092300 Éremón, a Milesian invader from Spain force. In 1805 Commander (later Admiral) accommodation, restaurants and bars, E: [email protected] (see Myths & Legends, p. 52). In the later Beaufort published a method of measuring and is an ideal base for touring the Boyne GPS: 53.650051, -6.685121 medieval period Navan was a walled town the wind at sea based on the sails a frigate Valley. There are enjoyable walks around and, like Trim, was an outpost of The Pale. could safely hoist. The Beaufort Scale, the town, particularly along the Boyne River and at the last ramparts.

16 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR OPENING TIMES AND ADMISSION DETAILS PLEASE SEE PULL OUT INSERT AT THE BACK 17 Brú Na Bóinne (Newgrange) Brú Na Bóinne (Newgrange)

Passage tombs consist of a burial chamber There is no direct access to Newgrange and reached by a long straight passage lined Knowth; all admission is through the Brú with stones, and set within a large mound na Bóinne Visitor Centre which is located known as a cairn. They are usually sited near the village of Donore. The excellent on hilltops and grouped in cemeteries. exhibitions at the visitor centre include a full Although primarily burial sites, they also scale replica of the chamber at Newgrange. served as status symbols, focal points for Visitors are brought from the centre to the the community, places to honour dead monuments by shuttle bus. ancestors and as territorial markers. Art Constructed during the New Stone Age (or The art is one of the most important Neolithic Period, from Greek “neo” meaning features of the monuments. Some of it new and “lithos” meaning stone) the tombs is spectacular: wonderful combinations at Brú na Bóinne are around 5,000 years old. of spirals, lozenges, chevrons, triangles Although the people who built these tombs and arrangements of parallel lines and were primarily farmers they also possessed arcs. Knowth has about 45% of all the art known from Irish tombs and nearly 30% of expertise in engineering, geology, art and all the in Europe. even astronomy.

At dawn on the morning of the winter Excavation revealed that many stones Brú na Bóinne is one of the largest and solstice, and for a number of days before are carved on their undersides and on the and after, the main chamber at Newgrange sides turned inwards to the cairns. It may most important prehistoric megalithic is illuminated by a beam of sunlight for not always have been important for the 17 minutes. This alignment is too precise whole design to be visible. Perhaps the art sites in Europe to have occurred by chance. It is thought was to be seen by the spirits of the dead or that Newgrange is the oldest surviving by the deities. Perhaps the act of carving deliberately aligned structure in the world. transformed the stone into something Brú na Bóinne is the name given to an extensive and hugely important Although Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth extraordinary and that once this had been done, it was no longer necessary for the art were constructed around 3000 BC activity archaeological landscape situated on the north bank of the river !$'72',22/:'K"-!262#'!"2',)&/)3*-/*2'$>' at the sites continued for many millennia. Boyne, 8 kilometres west of Drogheda. The site is dominated by three the art to the builders of the monuments, Knowth for example, served as a burial site in we can no longer interpret it. No matter large passage tombs – Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth – which were the Iron Age, as the royal seat of the King of how we try to analyse or make sense of the declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993. Northern Brega in the Early Christian period, art, we cannot see it as our ancestors saw and as an Anglo-Norman Motte in the Early it 5000 years ago. Medieval Period.

18 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR OPENING TIMES AND ADMISSION DETAILS PLEASE SEE PULL OUT INSERT AT THE BACK 19 Duleek Abbey

Duleek Abbey began life as a monastic settlement when, in 450 AD, Patrick, the of Ireland, established a bishopric there

Duleek derives from the Irish Damhliag, meaning ‘stone house or *"%#*"4A'-/0'#2>2#,'!$'!"2'H!"'N2/!%#<'*$/,!#%*!)$/4'1$,,)7.<'!"2'3#,!' stone building in Ireland. ©National Monuments Service ©National Monuments Service Dept of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Dept of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Care of the bishopric was granted to one Did you know? During the 19th century, Visitors to the sites over many years have Contact Details: of St. Patrick’s followers, St. Cianan. The Duleek Commons was a hideout for ‘’Collier favourite theories. Many people suggest Brú na Bóinne (Newgrange & Knowth), Donore, ruins of his church can be seen opposite the Robber’’ - a Robin Hood-style highway that some of the spiral and concentric Drogheda, Co. Meath those of the Priory. During the 9th and 10th man eventually transported to the penal circles represent the movement of the sun T: +353 (0)41 9880300 *2/!%#)2,4'!"2'9$/-,!2#<',%=2#20'/2-#' colonies. King William is said to have slept in F: +353 (0)41 9823071 constant raids by settled at nearby and stars, a fascination with the changing E: [email protected] Duleek Abbey after the Battle of the Boyne. seasons and how the cycles related to W: www.heritageireland.ie Drogheda. Incredibly, the small community A heritage trail of the town begins at The their own lives. Another theory is that the GPS: 53.694674, -6.446249 survived. In 1014, the Vikings were defeated Courthouse in Duleek. carvings on the stones are maps: maps by the Irish High King, Boru, at The of the area, maps of the otherworld, Notes: . Boru was slain; his body GPS: 53.655455, -6.418489 maps of the stars. Many think that the art Visitor Centre and Newgrange is open all year round. lay in Duleek Abbey before being brought to represents images seen by shamans using (excl. 24-27 December). Knowth is open from Easter Armagh for burial. hallucinogenic drugs during rituals. Other to end of October. Last admission to the visitor centre is 45 minutes before closing time. Last admission suggestions include the notion that the to visit any of the sites is 2 hours before closing time. The impressive ruins are the remains of carved stones were used as meditation Please note this site can be extremely busy during an Augustinian Priory, St. Mary’s Abbey, devices or that they represent music or the summer months – early arrival for booking of the established in the 12th century. Outside, energy lines. tours is recommended. See www.heritageireland.ie for additional information. a beautiful, 9th-century High bears (Groups of 15 or more must prebook) elaborate carvings typical of the period- the Did you know? Constructed around 3200 *#%*)3W)$/4',*2/2,'>#$9'!"2'.)>2'$>'!"2'O)#&)/' BC, Newgrange is 500 years older than the Mary, symbols of the Evangelists. pyramids of Egypt and 1,000 years older than in .

20 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE 21 Battle Of The Boyne Site

William’s army (called ), William’s victory at the Battle of the numbered some 36,000 men and was Boyne was the turning point in James’ made up of English, Irish, Scottish, unsuccessful attempt to regain the Crown Dutch, Danish and (French and ultimately ensured the continuation Protestants). The opposing army (called of Protestant supremacy in Ireland. Of Jacobites) were mainly Irish Catholics, the 61,000 men that fought in the battle, reinforced by 6,500 French troops sent a relatively small number were killed: by King Louis XIV. The Jacobites chose the 1,000 Jacobites and 500 Williamites. River Boyne as the best defence against The Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre the Williamites progress south towards is located in the recently restored 18th Dublin. Drogheda was garrisoned and a century House, which is on the force of 25,000 men was positioned at battlesite. Oldbridge, the most likely crossing point. The armies camped on opposite sides of See p. 38 for Townley Hall Woods Trail the river. which takes visitors through King William’s Glen where the troops were The Battle of the Boyne is one of the most William’s battle plan was to trap the victorious at the Battle of the Boyne. !"#$"%&'$()*+*$(!)"$),-"!.)."!(/-0 in a pincer movement. He sent a force of 10,000 men towards Slane Did you know? The Battle of the Boyne was which drew the bulk of the Jacobites the largest ever assembly of troops on an upstream in opposition. With 1,300 L#),"'7-!!.232.0:' The Battle of the Boyne was fought between King William III and Jacobites posted in Drogheda, only 6,000 were left at Oldbridge to repel 26,000 Contact Details: his father-in-law King James II on 1 July 1690. The kings were rival Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre, Oldbridge K)..)-9)!2,:'V..'!"2'3&"!)/&'!$$8'1.-*2'$/' claimants to the English, Scottish and Irish thrones. Protestant King House, Drogheda, Co. Meath the south side of the river as the vastly T: +353 (0)41 9809950 William (of Orange) had deposed Catholic King James in 1688. outnumbered Jacobite forces defended F: +353 (0)41 9849873 their position against the advancing E: [email protected] Williamites. William himself crossed at W: www.battleoftheboyne.ie with 3,500 mounted troops. The GPS: 53.722699, -6.412969 Jacobites retreated across the river Notes: at Duleek and regrouped west of the Events Calendar including details of Shannon to carry on the war. living history displays is available at www.battleoftheboyne.ie

22 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR OPENING TIMES AND ADMISSION DETAILS PLEASE SEE PULL OUT INSERT AT THE BACK 23 Drogheda Drogheda

towns with a walled area of 32 hectares. After years the centre of Drogheda was an important Anglo-Norman <2-#,'$>'*$/+)*!'-/0'#)6-.#<4'!"2'!($'7$#$%&",' municipal authority. were conjoined as a single town in 1412, and The Tholsel has settlement and one of the largest walled in 1898 the southern portion of the town was been for countless transferred from Co. Meath to Co. Louth. generations a local towns in Medieval Ireland trysting place, and St. Laurence’s Gate, which led to the Friary of St before the advent of M-%#2/*24'),'()02.<'#2&-#020'-,'$/2'$>'!"2'3/2,!' radio and television, Drogheda derives its name from of its kind in Europe. It consists of two lofty with their constant time checks, Drogheda’s the Irish Droichead Átha meaning circular towers, connected together by clocks and watches were set by its dependable a wall, in which there is an archway. It was old time-piece. Sessions of the Irish Parliament ‘Bridge of the Ford’. It is the largest originally known as the east gate but it was were held regularly in the town, either at the town in Co. Louth – Ireland’s renamed in the 14th century because the street Franciscan Friary now Highlanes Gallery or at the smallest county – which is named led to the Hospital of St. Laurence. Visitors can Tholsel of ‘Drogheda in Meath’. Poynings Law appreciate the spectacular dimensions of the (which made the Irish Parliament subservient to after , the great god of the medieval walls south of the gate at Featherbed the English Parliament) was enacted in 1494, in . Although the origins of the Lane. Twice the walls and gates of Drogheda the Tholsel. "2.0',!#$/&'-&-)/,!')/6-,)$/4'3#,!.<'("2/'D0(-#0' settlement are obscure, the town Bruce attacked the town in 1317 and again in Did you know? The Boyne Viaduct at Drogheda is certainly owes its development to 1642 when Sir Phelim O’Neill attempted to take Ireland’s greatest example of Victorian industrial Drogheda. In 1494 Parliament met at Drogheda architecture. The bridge, which carries the the coming of the Anglo-Normans. and enacted the infamous Poynings’ Law which Dublin-Belfast railway line, was opened in 1855. remained in force until 1801 when The Act of Drogheda proper began as an Anglo-Norman Union made it redundant. In 1649 Cromwell St Patrick landed at the mouth of the river Boyne, port founded by Hugh de Lacy after whom the de breached the walls and sacked the town, near Drogheda, in 432AD when he arrived in Lacy Bridge in the town is named. Around 1180, it massacring 3,500 soldiers, civilians and clergy, Ireland to introduce Christianity. developed as two settlements on opposite banks of and deporting captives as slaves to Barbados. the Boyne estuary, downstream from the ford from Drogheda surrendered to King William after the Contact Details: which it gets it name. Drogheda was granted its charter Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Millmount Tower & X#$&"20-'C$%#),!']@*2 in 1194. The Anglo-Normans made Drogheda one of Museum and St. Peter’s Church, housing the The Tholsel, their primary strongholds, completing the town walls in shrine of St Oliver Plunkett are also within West Street !"2'9)0'I`!"'*2/!%#<:'C"2'(-..,'2/*.$,20'-/0'>$#!)320' the town. Drogheda, Co. Louth an area of 43 hectares, north and south of the Boyne, T: +353 (0)41 9872843 making it one of the largest walled towns in medieval The Tholsel building on West Street (image W: www.drogheda.ie Ireland. Drogheda-in-Louth was the larger of the two p.24) was erected in 1770 on the site of the old D^'0#$&"20-!$%#),!$@*2_&9-).:*$9 mediaeval wooden Tholsel, it was for almost 130 GPS: 54.039671, -6.185043

24 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR OPENING TIMES AND ADMISSION DETAILS PLEASE SEE PULL OUT INSERT AT THE BACK 25 Highlanes Gallery

Highlanes Municipal Art Gallery, which The gallery houses the town’s most opened in 2006, is one of Ireland’s most treasured heirlooms: a ceremonial important visual art spaces. Serving the sword and mace presented to Drogheda North East region, it presents a programme Corporation by King William III after the of national and international temporary Battle of the Boyne. Only towns that exhibitions, as well as exhibitions have successfully withstood sieges were drawn from the Drogheda Municipal Art presented with such swords: Drogheda’s is Collection, a fascinating collection dating 1-#!)*%.-#.<'3/24'(").2'!"2'-**$91-/<)/&' from the mid-18th century. solid silver mace is one of the largest, and 9$,!'9-&/)3*2/!4')/'L#2.-/0: The gallery is sited in the former Drogheda St. Peter’s Church Franciscan Church and Friary known, Contact Details: locally, as ‘High Lane Church’; the building Highlanes Gallery, ;!:'Y2!2#A,'N"%#*"'),'-9$/&'!"2'3/2,!' transferred to England and found guilty of - gifted by the Franciscan Order to the Laurence Street, Gothic Revival Churches in Ireland and is high treason. In July, 1681, Plunkett was people of Drogheda in 2000 - has carefully Drogheda, Co. Louth T: +353 (0)41 9803311 famous for housing the shrine of St. Oliver "-/&204'0),297$(2..204'-/0'5%-#!2#20' and lovingly preserved the character of E: [email protected] Y.%/82!!:'C"2'3#,!'*"%#*"'$/'!"),',)!2'(-,' at . His remains were recovered the original. constructed in 1791, and the present one - immediately and entrusted to the Sienna W: www.highlanes.ie GPS: 53.715474, -6.348706 built in the 1880’s - incorporates elements Nuns of the Dominican Convent at of the earlier structure. Drogheda.

The imposing façade is built of local Y.%/82!!'(-,'72-!)320')/'IUab4'-/0' limestone. The lavish interior includes a canonised in 1975 by Pope Paul VI. special chapel which houses the preserved head of St. Oliver Plunkett (1625 – 81), Contact Details: the last Catholic martyr to die in England. X#$&"20-'C$%#),!']@*24' Plunkett was born at Loughcrew, near The Tholsel Oldcastle, Co. Meath. Educated by the West Street Drogheda Jesuits at the newly established Irish T: +353 (0)41 9872843 college in Rome, he was appointed D'0#$&"20-!$%#),!$@*2_&9-).:*$9 of Armagh and Primate of GPS: 53.714927, -6.352415 All-Ireland in 1669. He was arrested in 1679 on false charges of plotting to bring Notes: a French Army into the country, and of Mass in honour of St. Oliver Plunkett is held in organising Irishmen for rebellion. A trial St. Peter’s, the last Saturday of every month at collapsed in 1680. He was (6.15pm).

26 FOR OPENING TIMES AND ADMISSION DETAILS PLEASE SEE PULL OUT INSERT AT THE BACK FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE 27 Drogheda Museum, Millmount

Millmount Museum and Martello Tower are situated on high ground in the heart of Drogheda near to where the river Boyne %$'110)2**(!)(.*)!*'

Shortly after the Anglo-Norman King Henry II granted him the in 1172, Hugh de Lacy constructed a motte and bailey on a huge mound overlooking the River Boyne. A more substantial stone fort replaced the earlier structure.

more recently with canvas. It was almost Contact Details: ,5%-#2'7%!'()!"'#$%/020'*$#/2#,'-/0'(-,' Millmount Museum, According to , the mound 11th, 1649. In the early 1800s the earlier operated by two people – one paddling at Millmount Complex, was the burial place of Amergin mac Míled, >$#!)3*-!)$/,'(2#2'029$.),"20'-/0' the bow, the other manning the nets. Drogheda, Co. Louth , bard and judge of the . replaced by a Martello Tower as part of a T: +353 (0)41 9833097 F: +353 (0)41 9841599 Amergin was the son of Míl Espáine and series of defences erected along the Irish F)..9$%/!'N%.!%#-.'c%-#!2#'$=2#,'-'()02' E: [email protected] brother of Éremón (see Myths & Legends, coast by the British in expectation of an ranging experience including the museum, W: www.millmount.net p. 52). The true origin of the mound is invasion by Napoleon Bonaparte. martello tower and an array of craft shops, GPS: 53.712482, -6.350055 unclear, however, it is thought that it may Millmount Museum houses various artists’ studios and a café. be a large passage tomb, similar to those exhibitions dealing with archaeology, Notes: at nearby Brú na Bóinne. folklife, local history, geology, industry and Did you know? The fort at Millmount was Please note last tour is 60 minutes military history. The museum also contains considerably damaged during the Irish before closing. This castle formed part of the defences one of the four surviving examples of an Civil War (1922-23) when it was occupied of the town during Cromwell’s siege of -/*)2/!'!<12'$>'3,")/&'62,,2.4'*-..20'-' by Anti-Treaty forces and was shelled for Drogheda in 1649. The garrison was coracle, that were once a common sight several hours by the Army. massacred when they surrendered to on the Boyne. Coracles were made of It was restored by Drogheda Corporation Parliamentarian troops on September wicker and covered with animal hide, or and opened to the public in 2000.

28 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR OPENING TIMES AND ADMISSION DETAILS PLEASE SEE PULL OUT INSERT AT THE BACK 29 Beaulieu House

Beaulieu House is a house and gardens with a collection of classic racing cars

Beaulieu House is situated on the north bank of the river Boyne between Drogheda and the . The estate was originally owned by the ‘St. Oliver’ branch of the Plunkett family and was -*5%)#20'-7$%!'IdHb'7<';)#'B2/#<'C)*"7$%#/24'("$'(-,'F-#,"-..'$>' the Army in Ireland and Governor General of Drogheda at the time of the Restoration of Charles II.

Beaulieu House was turned into the house and is one of the earliest examples of a Did you know? The current owner of we see today by the Tichbournes in the walled garden in Ireland. Beaulieu House, Gabriel DeFreitas, had a mid 17th and early 18th Century and very successful career in motor racing in has remained largely unchanged since. Gabriel DeFreitas, the current owner of the 1960s and 1970s under the name of Originally a stone Plunkett Castle, the Beaulieu House, is a tenth generation Gabriel Konig. present structure is a mixture of brick and descendant of Henry Tichbourne. There stone which was rendered in the late 19th is a museum on site which displays a Contact Details: Century, leaving exposed the Dutch brick collection of classic racing cars and Beaulieu House, surrounds to windows and doors. The memorabilia. Guided tours of the house, Gardens & Car Museum, Drogheda, Co Louth X%!*"',!<.2'),'%/)5%2')/'L#2.-/0: four-acre walled garden and museum T: +353 (0)41 9838557 are available. F: +353 (0)41 9845051 The walled garden is believed to have been E: [email protected] designed by Dutch artist Willem Van Der W: www.beaulieu.ie Hagen, who settled in Ireland in the 1720s, GPS: 53.727708, -6.295246

30 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR OPENING TIMES AND ADMISSION DETAILS PLEASE SEE PULL OUT INSERT AT THE BACK 31 Monasterboice

Christianity was introduced into Ireland, probably from Roman Britain, during the 5th century AD, around the time of the collapse of the Roman Empire. Monasterboice is one of Ireland’s earliest and best-known religious sites. Its name derives from the Irish Mainistir Bhuithe meaning ‘the monastery of Buite’.

St. Buite, Buite mac Bronaig, was an Irish conical cap. It is the second tallest round monk and follower of St. Patrick. In 480, tower in Ireland, after the one on Scattery according to legend, St. Buite on a return Island, Co. Clare. trip from Rome raised Nechtan Morbet, the King of Pictland (), from The Vikings occupied the site for a period the dead. Another legend states that he until they were routed by Domhnall, King of ascended into heaven via a golden ladder Tara, in 968. St. Buite’s monastery remained lowered from the skies by angels. St. Buite an important centre of spirituality and died on the day St. Columba was born (7th learning for many centuries until the December, 521). establishment of Mellifont Abbey in 1142. C"2',)!2'-.,$'*$/!-)/,'!($'$>'!"2'3/2,!' The site comprises two churches and a High Crosses in Ireland – the South Cross round tower. Although round towers were (or Cross of Muiredach) and the West originally thought to have been places of Cross (or Tall Cross) – which date from the The Cross of Muiredach at Monasterboice refuge from Vikings, the for 9th century. The sandstone crosses are these towers – cloic theach meaning a bell 3/2.<'*-#620'-/0'021)*!'7)7.)*-.',*2/2,' "!)(.*)%$*!()3"#.)4-/!!)"$),-*1'$5)'$5) house – hints at another possible function. from the Old and New Testaments. Today The tower at Monasterboice was burned the image of the is recognised is highly regarded as one of the best in 1097, destroying the monastic library internationally, not merely as a religious and other treasures. However, it is still in icon but also, as a symbol of Irish cultural surviving examples of Irish religious art excellent condition, though without its heritage.

32 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR OPENING TIMES AND ADMISSION DETAILS PLEASE SEE PULL OUT INSERT AT THE BACK 33 West Face (top to base)

Ascension of Christ (top of cross) Peter denying Christ (left arm) N#%*)3W)$/'R*2/!#2'$>'*#$,,S Resurrection of Christ (right arm) N"#),!'+-/820'7<'Y2!2#'f'Y-%.'R%112#'1-/2.S Thomas meeting the Risen Christ (middle panel) Soldiers arresting Christ (lower panel) Dedication to Muiredach (base)

Cross of St. Muiredach High Cross (known as the South Cross, or * An Artist Impression, as it might have looked in its heyday, illustration by Uto Hogerzeil Cross of Muiredach), Monasterboice, Co. High Crosses Muiredach Mac Domhnaill, who was Louth High Crosses, also known as Celtic Crosses, Abbott of Monasterboice from 890 – 923. are distinctive ringed crosses that have West Face (Illustration) become a symbol of . Did you know? They are free standing and often of The West Cross, appropriately named monumental proportion. the Tall Cross, is the tallest high cross in East Face (top to base) Ireland, standing at around 7m. Kirbuddo St Paul & St Anthony (top of cross) Standing almost 5.5m in height and carved (near Forfar, Scotland) also derives its from a single block of sandstone, the South name from St. Buite and is twinned with The Saved Souls (left arm) The Last Judgement (centre of cross) Cross at Monasterboice is arguably the Monasterboice. The Damned Souls (right arm) 3/2,!'-/0'72,!'1#2,2#620'B)&"'N#$,,')/' Adoration of the Magi (upper panel) Contact Details: Ireland. It is often referred to as the Cross of Moses Drawing Water from the Rock St. Muiredach because of an inscription at Monasterboice Tour Guides (upper middle panel) Ne]'X#$&"20-'C$%#),!']@*2 the bottom of the shaft which translates as David & Goliath (lower middle panel) Drogheda, Co. Louth Cain slaying Abel (lower panel, right) ‘a prayer for Muiredach who had this cross T: +353 (0)41 9872843 Adam & Eve (lower panel, left) made’. It is thought that this refers to D^'0#$&"20-!$%#),!$@*2_&9-).:*$9 East Face (Illustration) GPS: 53.778062, -6.417346

34 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR OPENING TIMES AND ADMISSION DETAILS PLEASE SEE PULL OUT INSERT AT THE BACK 35 Mellifont Abbey

Mellifont Abbey was one of the wealthiest '$5)2/!()"$67*$("'1)2/$'!("&)./7!*!)"$) medieval Ireland

F2..)>$/!'V772<'),',)!%-!20')/'-'!#-/5%).'6-..2<'$/'!"2'7-/8,'$>'!"2' Mountjoy at Mellifont Abbey signing the Did you know? Devorgilla (often described as River Mattock, a tributary of the River Boyne. The Abbey derives . This sounded the death ‘Ireland’s Helen of Troy’), whose elopement its name from the Latin Font Mellis meaning ‘fountain of honey’. knell for Gaelic civilisation in Ireland. During with Dermot MacMurrough led to the arrival Many medieval monasteries founded by continental orders bore the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 King William of the Anglo-Normans in 1169 is buried 7-,20'"),'"2-05%-#!2#,'-!'F2..)>$/!:'C"2' beneath the chancel pavement at Mellifont. Latin names. Mellifont is the only one that survives as a current house was abandoned and into disrepair In 1157 she donated 60 ounces of gold, placename in Ireland. in the early 1700s. along with altar cloths and a gold chalice to Mellifont. She died there in 1193 at the age St. Malachy, , along High King of Ireland. Mellifont heralded Although the remains of the Abbey are of 85. with a community of Irish and French monks a new era in Irish monasticism. Prior to fragmentary, Mellifont is historically and (trained at Clairvaux, Burgundy), founded its foundation, older Irish monasteries -#*")!2*!%#-..<',)&/)3*-/!:'L!'(-,'!"2'3#,!' Contact Details: Mellifont Abbey in 1142 on lands granted (such as Monasterboice) were essentially abbey in Ireland to be laid out according Old Mellifont Abbey, Tullyallen, by Donogh O’Carroll, King of Oriel. It was independent self-governed spiritual centres, to the European cloistral plan – buildings Drogheda, Co. Louth !"2'3#,!'N),!2#*)-/'9$/-,!2#<'2,!-7.),"20')/' under the direction of an Abbott who was constructed around a central open space. T: +353 (0)41 9826459 Ireland and over 20 other Cistercian houses largely his own master. These older monastic Its distinguishing feature is an octagonal F: +353 (0)41 9826053 were founded directly or indirectly from it. ,)!2,'(2#2'$>!2/'/$!'-@.)-!20'!$'-/<'$!"2#' lavabo, constructed about 1200, which E: [email protected] Mellifont also became one of the wealthiest monastery or even to any religious order. functioned as a place for the monks to W: www.heritageireland.ie abbeys in Ireland with vast holdings of land wash their hands in a symbolic gesture as GPS: 53.74281, -6.465561 in the fertile Boyne Valley. Mellifont was dissolved in 1539 and passed a preparation for prayer. Lavabo means ‘I into the hands of Sir Edward Moore who shall wash’. The lavabo, the chapter house The Abbey was consecrated in 1157 amidst converted the abbey buildings into a and the late medieval gate house remain great ceremony at a national synod, which residence. In 1603, following Irish defeat partly intact. The layout of the remainder was attended by the leading clergy of the at the Battle of , Hugh O’ Neill, the of the abbey can be seen from foundations time and Murtaugh MacLochlainn, the , formally submitted to Lord revealed during excavations.

36 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR OPENING TIMES AND ADMISSION DETAILS PLEASE SEE PULL OUT INSERT AT THE BACK 37 Townley Hall Woods Francis Ledwidge Museum

r&c ardill, www.irelandupclose.com

The Woods form part of 60 acres of rolling The Francis Ledwidge Museum is located 8'-91'$5!)!7--/7$5"$#)(.*)2'#$"%&*$() in the poet’s birthplace, a typical 19th Georgian mansion of Townley Hall Century labourer’s cottage Here, in this modest dwelling, the poet’s life commissioned and erected by the City of Built in 1799, the house is not open to the public. However, Townley is chronicled through pictures and writings. Leper (Ypres), Belgium, at the exact spot Hall Woods feature a pleasant walking trail which ushers visitors where the poet was killed. This memorial Ledwidge’s talent was evident from an to Ledwidge is inscribed with lines from through an area steeped in history, while providing lovely views of early age; an “erratic genius” was his a verse of his poem “Lament for Thomas the Boyne. schoolmaster’s verdict. Ledwidge (1887 MacDonagh”: -1917 ) was supported by local aristocrat, , who arranged for the The Woods are close to the site of the Battle Nature: The woodlands were planted around “He shall not hear poet’s work to be published in the literary The bittern cry of the Boyne which saw the Protestant King 150-200 years ago. Trees are mainly oak, magazine, ‘The Saturday Review’, exposing William III (a.k.a. ‘’William of Orange’’) and his 722*"4'-,"4',<*-9$#24'D%#$12-/',).62#'3#'-/0' him to a wider audience. In the wild sky >-!"2#T)/T.-(4'N-!"$.)*'Z)/&'g-92,'LL4'3&"!'>$#' Scots pine. Flora includes blackthorn, holly, Where he is lain.” control of England, Scotland and Ireland (1st hazel, elder, ground ivy, briar and several At the Third Battle of Ypres, Belgium, on July 1690). varieties of broadleaf woodland. The forest 31st July, 1917, he was in a company of Contact Details: ),'"$92'!$'#20'022#4'#20'-/0'<',5%)##2.4' men carrying out essential repairs to a road Francis Ledwidge Museum The trail takes visitors through ‘’King badger, rabbit, hare and fox. It is also a haven damaged by enemy artillery, when a German Slane, Co. Meath William’s Glen’’ where the ultimately for resident and migratory birds. shell exploded. Ledwidge, who had attained T: +353 (0)41 9824544 victorious Williamite troops – all 36,000 the rank of Lance Corporal, was killed E: [email protected] of them, along with their hospital, stores, Did you know? alongside several of his comrades. W: www.francisledwidge.com wagons and thousands of horses - set The visitor centre in nearby Oldbridge He was 29. GPS: 53.706870, -6.526697 up camp. And from where King William chronicles the epic battle (see p. 22). launched his surprise attack on the troops L/'!"2'!#-/5%).'&-#02/'72")/0'!"2'9%,2%9' of his father in law. GPS: 53.734372, -6.438562 stands a replica of an original monument

38 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE 39 (actually an octagon) has four identical Slane Village and Slane Castle Georgian houses, referred to locally as “The Four Sisters’’. Interestingly, the houses (2#2'7%).!'-!'0)=2#2/!'!)92,4'-/0'!"2#2' never existed four such ladies. Follow the Slane Castle is the residence of Ireland’s self-guided signed Slane Heritage Trail commencing at the Slane Cottages. Obtain most famous aristocrat Henry Conyngham, a map at the Slane Hub on Main street.

the Slane Cottages Slane’s noteworthy cottages are situated L!'),',2!'$/'!"2'&#$%/0,'$>'-'9-&/)3*2/!' Slane Castle in its existing form was at Cavan row which got its name from 1,500 acre estate, just upriver from the site reconstructed under the direction of William labourers who came from nearby County of the Battle of the Boyne. Following the Burton Conyngham, together with his Cavan to work on the Estate. Locals say it Williamite War (1689 – 91), half a million /21"2(4'!"2'3#,!'F-#5%2,,'N$/#$9'!"$,2'("$' reconstruction dates from 1785 and was located at the end, now sadly gone. had supported James II. The Conynghams undertaken by two of the most distinguished purchased the estate in 1701, following architects of the day: James Gandon, who Did you know? recorded part of their 4th !"2,2'*$/3,*-!)$/,:'Y#26)$%,.<4'!"2'.-/0,' designed The Custom House and The Four studio album, The Unforgettable Fire, in referred to as “England’s greatest gardener”. were owned by the Flemings, Anglo-Norman Courts in Dublin; and Francis Johnson, who Slane Castle. The video for the the U2 song L/'IUUI4'-'3#2')/'!"2'N-,!.2'*$91.2!2.<' Catholics who had supported the Jacobites. 02,)&/20'X%7.)/A,'\2/2#-.'Y$,!']@*2'R\Y]S: ‘’Pride (In the Name of Love)’’ was shot in the destroyed the eastern wing. The Castle The gorgeous parklands were laid out by Gothic Revival Ballroom, created for George re-opened to the public following a 10- landscape architect, Capability Brown, often IV’s State Visit in 1821. year restoration programme, funded by the Conyngham family. In recent times, Contact Details: Slane Castle has become internationally Slane Castle, Slane, Co Meath famous for its summer concerts. Its natural T: +353 (0)41 9820643 amphitheatre attracts as many as 80,000 F: +353 (0)41 9820642 fans annually: , Queen, The Rolling E: [email protected] Stones, , , David W: www.slanecastle.ie Bowie, Guns N’ Roses, , REM, GPS: 53.711981, -6.565441 , U2, Stereophonics, , Oasis and have Notes: performed under the shadow of the Castle. The Courtyard Cafe opens June, July & August Sunday – Thursday 10 – 5pm with Slane Castle The Village ‘Square’ tours 10 – 6pm. Check website for details. Slane is one of the most attractive villages in Ireland, created in the 1760’s by the Conynghams, a military family who rose to prominence at the time of William III. The *2/!#2'$>'!"2'6)..-&24'8/$(/'-,'!"2'?;5%-#2A'

40 FOR OPENING TIMES AND ADMISSION DETAILS PLEASE SEE PULL OUT INSERT AT THE BACK FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE 41 Hill of Slane Dowth Together with Newgrange and Knowth, Dowth forms part of the Brú na Bóinne (Mansion of the Boyne) passage tomb complex

Historical evidence suggests the tomb was plundered in 1059, -/0',2!'3#2'!$')/'IIhb:'C"2'9$%/0'(-,'-.,$',%7i2*!20'!$'-'7.-,!'$>' dynamite in 1847, when either crude excavations or plundering was being carried out.

The Hill of Slane rises 158m above the Historical evidence suggests the tomb a prominent spokesperson for the Irish (-,'1.%/02#20')/'IbHU4'-/0',2!'3#2'!$')/' community, via lectures, writings and surrounding countryside and can be seen 1170. The mound was also subjected to his editorship of the Boston newspaper, a blast of dynamite in 1847, when either ‘’The Pilot’’. from the Hill at Tara, 16km away crude excavations or plundering was being carried out. As a result of the blast, two Did you know? In the 18th century, a A well-preserved tower is to be found among the ruins of a passage tombs were unearthed. With teahouse was built atop the mound by Sir shorter passages and lower roofs, these John Netterville, owner of nearby Dowth Franciscan Monastery, dating from 1512, itself built on site of a are not as spectacular as Newgrange or Castle. It has been suggested that from it monastery founded by St. Erc, a follower of St. Patrick. Knowth, but still worth investigating. he could “attend’’ a nearby church service As at Newgrange, the entrance to the - via telescope! The ruins of a college, built to house Did you know? A ceremonial lighting of passageway is aligned with the sun so four , four lay brothers and four -'-!'3#2'$/'C"2'B)..'$>'C-#-'R!"2/'!"2' that during the winter solstice light moves GPS: 53.704570, -6.451397 choristers, also remain. These were built seat of the High King) occurred every along the left side of the passage, into by the Flemings (Barons of Slane from the ,1#)/&'25%)/$W^'L!'(-,'>$#7)002/'!$'.)&"!' the circular chamber, where three burial 11th - 17th Centuries) for the Franciscans; -/<'$!"2#'3#2'%/!).'!"),'$/2'(-,'-7.-j2:' stones are then illuminated. the family’s coat of arms can be seen on M2&2/0',%&&2,!,'!"-!4')/'k``4')/'023-/*2' !"2'(2,!'(-..'$>'!"2'*$..2&2'5%-0#-/&.2:' of the pagan High King Laoire, Patrick lit A short stroll from The Dowth Cairn Thirty years after its foundation, the -'Y-,*"-.'3#2'$/'!"2'B)..'$>';.-/2:'C"$%&"' is a memorial to John Boyle O’Reilly monastery was dissolved by King Henry VIII, angry, Laoire was so impressed by Patrick’s (1844–1890), poet, journalist and its lands and wealth appropriated. In 1631, devotion he allowed him to continue his writer. A member of the Irish Republican the Flemings restored the monastery. missionary work. Brotherhood - a secret society dedicated It became home to Capuchin monks, who, !$'3&"!)/&'E#)!),"'#%.2'J'"2'(-,'-##2,!204' in turn, were driven out in 1651 by GPS: 53.717413, -6.539246 and transported to Western Australia. . He escaped to the U.S. where he became

42 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE 43 Donaghmore Round Tower Donaghpatrick The cemetery at Donaghmore contains the -7"$!)/:)')&.7-&.)'$5)')%$*)*;'281*)/:)'$) Irish Round Tower

;-)/!'Y-!#)*8'),',-)0'!$'"-62'3#,!'>$%/020'-'9$/-,!2#<'"2#24'&)6)/&' charge of it to one of his followers, St. Cassanus. The existing ruins, however, do not date back that far.

The architectural style of the church tower, using a rope ladder to reach the indicates it was built in the 15th Century. doorway, pulling it in behind. But couldn’t ’s Church was built in 1896, Most likely, it replaced an older church the wooden door be set alight? And 7%).!')/'!"2'P$9-/2,5%2',!<.2l'-'*-#620' wouldn’t the tower act as a ‘’chimney’’, designed by J.F. Fuller, an authority on the P$9-/2,5%2'"2-0'),')/*$#1$#-!20')/'!"2' ,9$82',%=$*-!)/&'!"$,2')/,)02m'V',)91.2#' south wall of the bell tower. The round theory is that the round tower may have Hiberno-Romanesque style tower predates the church and was built in been used as a belfry. the 9th or 10th century. It is well-preserved In 1862 the -trained Fuller had answered an advertisement though missing its conical cap. Unusual GPS: 53.658933, -6.661491 for a district architect under the Irish Ecclesiastical Commissioners; features include the stone carvings of he was chosen from among 97 candidates: St. Patrick’s is one of his "2-0,'-/0'-'*#%*)3W)$/'-7$62'-/0'-#$%/0' the doorway. It displays wonderful rough 3/2,!'*#2-!)$/,: limestone masonry and may have been built by the same builder as the tower at It incorporates a medieval tower-house gates. Inside, the stained glass windows - , Co. Wicklow. !$'!"2'(2,!'(")*"'-00,',)&/)3*-/!' by Heaton, Butler and Bayne - add artistic archaeological interest. The form is interest. It is thought that the Church Did you know? Round Towers were almost enhanced by the retention of many *-92')/!$'2W),!2/*2'("2/'!"2'3#,!'P$<-.' always constructed within monastic original features and materials, such as Chieftain of Ireland to be baptised by St. settlements, soaring above the landscape, the well-executed rock faced limestone, Patrick made a gift to the missionary of the !$1120'$='()!"'-'*$/)*-.'*-1l'0$$#(-<,'-!' and its cut stone dressings. The Church ,)!2^'C"),'(-,'!"2'3#,!'1%7.)*'-09)/),!2#)/&' a height, upper stories lit by a single round has pointed arch window openings with of baptism, recognized by the then window. Was the purpose to withstand carved limestone tracery, dressings and L#),"'#$<-.!

44 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE 45 Kells

The heritage town of Kells contains 2'$0)%$*)*;'281*!)/:)*'-10)4.-"!("'$) architecture

Kells derives from the Irish Ceanannas Mór, meaning ‘great residence’. Long before the coming of Christianity, Kells was a royal residence associated with the legendary Conn Céadchatach (Conn of the Hundred Battles) and Cormac mac Airt.

In 550 St. Columba, also known as C"2'3#,!'*"%#*"'-!'Z2..,'(-,'*$91.2!20'7<' tower. The tower is surrounded by several Did you know? The Kells Crosier, dating St. Colmcille, established a religious 814 and in 878 the relics of St. Columba 3/2.<'*-#620'")&"'*#$,,2,4')/'6-#)$%,',!-!2,' from the late 9th or 10th century, is in settlement at Kells. In 563 he went into were relocated from Iona, which was of preservation. A stone church known as the British Museum, London. In 1850 ,2.>T)91$,20'2W).2'$/'!"2'L,.2'$>'L$/-4'$=' now prospering. However, Kells itself was St. Columba’s House, dating from the 9th it appeared without explanation in a the west coast of Scotland and founded raided by the Vikings in 919, 950 and century is possibly the oldest surviving ,$.)*)!$#A,'$@*2')/'!"2'D/&.),"'*-1)!-.:'' another settlement. The island was raided 969, and many times throughout the structure in the town. It is a classic 7<'O)8)/&'+22!,')/'hUH4'nba'-/0'-&-)/' 11th century, this time by the Irish. The example of an early Irish church with a Contact Details: in 804 when sixty-eight people were most famous treasure created by the steeply pointed stone roof. Visitor / Heritage Information Centre, killed. Shortly after, the community of community of St. Columba is the Book of Reception area - Kells Town Council, St. Columba’s monastery on Iona were Kells, a highly ornate version of the four The Kells Courthouse was originally Z2..,'N)6)*']@*2,4'B2-0>$#!'Y.-*24' Kells, Co. Meath granted lands at Kells as a safe haven gospels in Latin. It was written around the designed in 1801 by Francis Johnson, T: +353 (0)46 9240064 from invaders. year 800, though it remains unclear who also designed the GPO on O’Connell D^'82..,!$%#),!$@*2_92-!"*$*$:)2 whether it was written in whole or part St. Dublin. The of Kells, W: www.meathtourism.ie Generally, monastic settlements were at Kells. which dates from the 9th century and GPS: 53.726754,-6.874169 surrounded by a circular boundary wall depicts scenes from the Old and New called a vallum, which acted as a frontier Although Kells became an important Testaments, can be seen at the junction between the holy world within and Anglo-Norman walled settlement, it is of the Navan / Dublin (N3) road and the the secular world outside. They often its monastic heritage that best survives. Slane road in front of the Kells Heritage contained a church, graveyard, high Z2..,A'#$%/0'!$(2#4'!"$%&"'#$$+2,,4',!-/0,' Centre. Commence the Kells Historic Trail crosses, monk’s cells and from the late at a height of 25m. In 1076 Murchadh -!'!"2'Z2..,'N)6)*'$@*2,'("2#2'-'9-1'*-/' 10th century round towers also became F-*'o.-)//4'("$'(-,'3&"!)/&'>$#'!"2'B)&"' be obtained. a feature. Kingship of Ireland, was murdered in the

46 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE 47 Spire of Lloyd Patrickstown Viewing Point It is possible to walk up Patrick’s Hill from the viewing point at Patrickstown. Part of the Loughcrew complex of passage tombs, Patrick’s Hill has several ‘’cairns’’ (or mounds) which conceal Neolithic passage tombs. There are also the remains of several standing stones.

Patrick’s Hill is one of three hilltops that make up Loughcrew; the site itself spans a ridge of land that runs roughly east- west across the middle of Ireland. The Loughcrew hills are the highest in Co. Meath, and are each peppered with various GPS: 53.749760, -7.085113 monuments. The other hills in the complex The only inland lighthouse in Ireland, The are Carnbane West and Carnbane East. Oldcastle Spire of Lloyd is an 18th century “folly’’ The town of Oldcastle was the 18th century creation of the Naper family, who received Follies were decorative buildings commonly erected during the 18th parts of the Plunkett estate following the cromwellian wars. Due in part to the century. Built in 1791, it resembles a giant Doric column topped continuation of a Gaelic way of life, the area with a glazed lantern. ,%=2#20'7-0.<'0%#)/&'!"2'\#2-!'o-9)/2' (1845-‘9) in comparison with richer, more The Spire had a commemorative rather it is possible to see as far as the Mourne arable and more progressive areas in the than functional purpose: it was erected to Mountains in Co. Down. southern part of Co. Meath. The poorest the memory of Thomas Taylor, Ist Earl of inhabitants were obliterated by starvation Bective, by his son. Yet it is called the Spire Did you know? In the 19th Century, and emigration. Nonetheless, land of Lloyd since it sits on the Hill of Lloyd, the Spire was used to view horseracing patterns still visible today reveal a strong named after Thomas Lloyd of . and hunts. attachment to pastoral farming of The Spire stands at 30 metres (100ft) ’Gaelic’ culture. !-..4'-/0'$=2#,'($/02#>%.'6),!-,'$>'!"2' GPS: 53.730616, -6.908040 surrounding countryside. On a clear day, GPS: 53.770124, -7.162657

48 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE 49 Loughcrew

Loughcrew is roughly contemporary Did you know? Slieve na Callaigh gets with Newgrange (3200 BC). Neolithic its name from the Irish Sliabh na Callaí, communities built large communal tombs, meaning ‘Hill of the Witch’ or ‘Hag’s Hill’. or , for their dead. There are four main types of tombs, each being named Contact Details for Loughcrew Cairns: ->!2#'-'1-#!)*%.-#'-/0'023/)/&'>2-!%#2'R*$%#!' OPW, Cortown, Oldcastle, Co Meath tombs, portal tombs, passage tombs and T: +353 (0)49 8541240 (seasonal) wedge tombs). The typical passage tomb is ]=',2-,$/'*$/!-*!'M$%&"*#2('\-#02/,'R,22'72.$(S cruciform in plan with a long central passage E: [email protected] .2-0)/&'!$'-'9-)/'*"-972#4'$='(")*"'!"2#2' W: www.heritageireland.ie are three smaller chambers. The dead were cremated and the remains placed in the GPS: 53.744371,-7.11884 chambers above the ground. The tombs were then covered in great mounds of earth Contact Details for Loughcrew Gardens and stones called ‘cairns’, though often & Adventure Course: these do not survive. Loughcrew, Oldcastle, Co Meath T: +353 (0)49 8541356 A distinguishing feature of Irish passage E: [email protected] tombs is the presence of – carved W: www.loughcrew.com or picked designs on the internal or external GPS: 53.735319, -7.142460 stones of the tomb. The art is abstract in form with circles, spirals, arcs, lozenges, Loughcrew Gardens are generally open !#)-/&.2,4'j)&j-&,'-/0'+$(2#'9$!)>,'72)/&' March to October every year. The site is full common. Certain symbols seem to have of history, beauty, fantasy, and atmosphere Loughcrew, with a concentration of been favoured at particular tombs or making the Gardens a magical experience. cemeteries; spirals at Newgrange, concentric The ancient Yew Walk, medieval motte and around 30 passage tombs, is one of the rectangles at Knowth and rayed circles at St. Oliver Plunkett’s family church create Loughcrew. -',1)#)!'$>'"),!$#<'()!"'-'?&#$!2,5%2A'&#$!!$' most important prehistoric cemeteries with tortured pillars guarding a rockery of One of the best-preserved and most fantasy tree . in Ireland accessible tombs at Loughcrew, known as Cairn T, appears to be the central tomb With something for all the family, the of the whole complex. It faces the rising hidden story of Alice In Wonderland and a The Loughcrew complex is a megalithic cemetery containing around sun at the vernal (March) and autumnal small playground keep the younger visitors R;21!2972#S'25%)/$W2,'(")*"',")/2,'!"#$%&"' happy, while the insect walk with giant bugs 30 passage tombs and is situated around the summit of three hills the passage to illuminate symbols carved and hidden reptiles appeals to the older near the town of Oldcastle, Co. Meath. Nearby are the restored onto the back wall of the chamber. This tomb children. The canal, ponds, the water mill and is reputed to be the resting place of Ollamh cascades all create a stunning atmosphere. 17th Century Loughcrew Gardens which also holds the key to the Fodhla, a legendary king of Ireland. Loughcrew Cairns site.

50 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR OPENING TIMES AND ADMISSION DETAILS PLEASE SEE PULL OUT INSERT AT THE BACK 51 Myths & Legends The Cattle-Raid of Cooley - Illustrations courtesy of www.celticcolor.com

Myths & Legends

The Boyne Valley is central to many of Ireland’s most famous and fantastic myths …

Boyne: Mythical Origins The Milesians The River Boyne derives its name from According to Irish mythology a man by the legendary Celtic goddess Bóann (or the name of Míl Espáine is the common Bóand). The story goes that there was ancestor of all of the Irish. The story goes once a magical well – the Well of Wisdom that there was a tribe in the north of Spain (Tobar Segais in Irish) – which belonged known as the Milesians, or the Sons of Mil. to Nechtain, King of Leinster and husband They invaded Ireland, dispossessing the to the goddess Bóann. Nechtain was Tuatha Dé Danann, and divided Ireland very protective of his magical well and into provinces: in the north, Munster no one but he and his three cup bearers in the south, Connacht in the west, were permitted to visit it. One day Bóann Leinster in the east and, at the centre, Tara. decided to visit the well and see for herself According to tradition, Éremón Mac Míled its wonders. Some say she walked around (-,'!"2'3#,!'F).2,)-/'Z)/&'$>'-..'L#2.-/04' the well three times counter sun-wise, and a contemporary of King David (biblical others say she merely peered into its King of Israel, who ruled c. 1000 BC). He is magical depths. Whatever the case, the the ancestor of the Úi Néill and the rulers waters of the well rose up – blinding, of Leinster, Connacht and Airgiallia. mutilating and drowning the goddess – and then rushed seawards turning into While in Spain, Éremón (son of Míl Espáine) a river. Though nothing remains of the married Odhbha, who bore him three sons. mythical well, its waters remain in the After a time he abandoned her in favour of form of the River Boyne, named after the another woman (Tea, who would later give drowned goddess Bóann. her name to Tara). When Éremón invaded

52 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE 53 Myths & Legends

Ireland, Odhbha followed him but died of of the tales central episodes: Cúchulainn grief soon after arriving on account of her intercepted Maeve’s army at the village of husband’s rejection. Her three children Crossakeel, Co. Meath to try to delay their

The of Knowledge - raised a mound in which to bury her. It is march to Ulster. thought that Navan may take its name from the Irish word for cave (An Uaimh) The – the cave within the mound in which Odhbha’s remains have rested for the past The Salmon of Knowledge (in Irish, An three thousand years. Bradán Feasa) is a creature from the Fenian Cycle of Irish Mythology. It features The Cattle-Raid of Cooley in the narrative The Boyhood Deeds of

Illustrations courtesy of www.celticcolor.com Fionn, which recounts the early adventures The Cattle-Raid of Cooley (in Irish Táin of the legendary Irish hero Fionn Mac Bó Cuailgne, pronounced – Tawn Bow Cumhaill. Cool-in-ya), written more than 1,200 years ago, is Ireland’s greatest legend V**$#0)/&'!$'L#),"'9'K),0$9' it becomes evident that Ailill owns a great (Tobar Segais) within which lived a great white bull, Finnbennach, of which Maeve speckled salmon. The story goes that "-,'/$'25%-.:'C"2#2'),'$/.<'$/2'7%..')/' the salmon ate the hazel nuts which on L#2.-/0'$>'25%-.'!$'o)//72//-*"4'!"2'-!' $**-,)$/'>2..')/!$'!"2'(2..4'!"%,'-*5%)#)/&' brown bull of Cooley. Cooley is a peninsula all the wisdom of the universe. It was in modern day Co. Louth. Maeve decides >$#2!$.0'!"-!'!"2'3#,!'12#,$/'!$'*-!*"'-/0' she must have the Brown Bull and so eat the salmon would gain this knowledge begins the story of the Táin. Maeve and and that a man by the name of Fionn "2#'-#9)2,',2!'$='>#$9'!"2'P$<-.'Y-.-*2' would be the one to do so. Nonetheless, at , Co. Roscommon (passing many tried and failed, until a poet named near modern-day Kells, Co. Meath) in o)//2&-,'"-6)/&',12/!',262/'<2-#,'3,")/&' pursuit of the Brown Bull. The only thing the Boyne caught it. He is believed to have that stands in her way is Cúchulainn, the caught the salmon at Féc’s Pool (Linn Féic), greatest of all Celtic heroes, who defends known as the ‘Pool of the Boyne’, near the Brown Bull and the lands of Ulster, as Slane, Co. Meath. his fellow warriors lie asleep under a spell. The Boyne Valley is associated with many

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE 55 Myths & Legends The Cattle-Raid of Cooley - Illustrations courtesy of www.celticcolor.com Finnegas instructed his apprentice, to celebrate the Feast of Tara, St. Patrick a young boy named Deimne Maol, to celebrating Easter lit the Paschal Fire in prepare it for him. Deimne burned his 0)#2*!'023-/*2'$>'!"2'1-&-/'#)!%-.:'C"2' thumb bursting a blister on the cooking 3#2'(-,'$7,2#620'>#$9'!"2'B)..'$>'C-#-' salmon. Instinctively he put his thumb and the told King Laoghaire that into his mouth to ease the pain and in unless it was extinguished that same -/')/,!-/!'"2'-*5%)#20'-..')!,'8/$(.20&2:' night, it would never be put out. The king When Deimne brought the cooked meal was outraged, but every time he and his to Finnegas, his master saw something druids challenged St. Patrick with their in the boy’s eyes that had not been there magic they were defeated. Eventually, before. When asked by Finnegas, Deimne and reluctantly, the King and his followers 02/)20'!"-!'"2'"-0'2-!2/'$>'!"2'3,":'K"2/' converted to Christianity. St. Erc, who was pressed, he admitted his accidental taste. the only person to pay due homage to St. What the old poet hadn’t known was Y-!#)*8'0%#)/&'!"2',!-/0T$=4'>$%/020'-' that Deimne had another name, given monastery on the Hill of Slane. to him by his mother – Fionn, meaning her fair-haired one. It was this incredible knowledge and wisdom gained from the Salmon of Knowledge that allowed to become the leader of the , the famed heroes of Irish myth. He was killed at Áth Brea or ‘Ford of Brea’ on the Boyne.

The Coming of Christianity According to Irish mythology the Fir Bolgs were one of the races that inhabited Ireland before the Milesians, from whom the Irish are descended. The Hill of Slane is said to be a burial mound for their leader, King Sláine, and it was from him the hill is named.

However, the Hill of Slane is most closely associated with St Patrick. According to tradition, in 433, as the druids prepared

56 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE 57 Belfast

Carlingford N2 Dundalk Kells Drogheda To BelfastBelfaf stt,, Your Road Map Navan DDunDuDundalkdalda kak aanndnd Trim CarCarlingforlinngfogfordrd Dublin See detailed touring route map inserted at the back of this brochure N33 M1

Nobber N2 Monasterboice N52

Loughcrew N3 Cairns St. Peter’s Collon Church Patrickstown Viewing Point OOldcastle Old Mellifont R132 Abbey Take your car and explore the Boyne 13 Kells Beaulieu Monastic Site Valley in your own time and space. House Hill of Slane R154 7 Townley Hall 3 Ballinlough Site of the Drogheda Ancient Tailteann Francis Museum, There is a signed driving route that will take Games Ledwidge Museum 6 Millmount LoughcrewLoLououughcghghc Slane Castle R163 and Martello you all around the Boyne Valley. This route HoHHouseouussee & Spire Donaghpatrick Mornington Tower GaGarGarrdeddensens of Lloyd Church N51 8 brings you to the main towns and villages Kells Donaghmore Round Tower Ardmulchan Slane Drogheda 2 Church Donaghpatrick and to the sites mentioned in this brochure. R147 Highlanes Donore Gallery Kilskeer N52 Also there are many sites of historic interest Dowth Duleek Abbey along the way where you can stop and Battle of Brú na Bóinne the Boyne Newgrange, explore in your own time. These are as 4 Knowth & Dowth Duleek M3 M1 follows (towns are in bold text) : R154 Gormanston Hill of Ward Navan N51 – Trim Heritage Town – Old Mellifont Abbey N3 Athboy 1 – Trim Castle – Townley Hall Delvin

– Bective Abbey – Dowth N51 Bective Abbey

– Hill of Tara – Francis Ledwidge Museum Trim Castle Hill of Tara – Skryne Church – Slane Village Skryne Church N2 – Navan town – Hill of Slane Bective Tara – Ardmulchan Church – Slane Castle 5 – Brú na Bóinne – – Donaghmore Cemetery Killmessan Newgrange & Knowth and Round Tower Trim M3 – Duleek Abbey – Navan Walks Dunsany Killeen Castle – Balrath Woods Walk 1 Home of the – Battle of the Boyne – Donaghpatrick Solheim Cup 2011 Ashbourne M2 – – Kells Heritage Town – Girley Bog Walk 2 Drogheda Heritage Town (includes St. Peter’s Church – Kells Monastic Site – Walk 3 & Highlanes Gallery) – Spire of Lloyd – The Navan Ramparts 4 M1M1 – Drogheda Museum, – Patrickstown Viewing Point – Trim Castle River Walk 5 N3 Millmount – Oldcastle – Drogheda Ramparts Walk 6 – Beaulieu House – Loughcrew – Littlewood Forest Walk 7 – Monasterboice – Battle of the Boyne WalksClonard 8 58 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE O R WWW.DISCOVERIRELAND.IE/BOYNEVALLEY FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IEFOR MORE INFORMATION O R WWW.DISCOVERIRELAND.IE/BOYNEVALLEY GOClonee TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE 5959 M4M4 Enfield M50 Notes

60 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOYNEVALLEYDRIVE.IE Brú na Bóinne, Donore, Co. Meath T +353 (0)41 9808000

Drogheda Tourist Information Point The Tholsel, West St., Drogheda, Co. Louth T +353 (0)41 9872843 W [email protected]

Kells Tourist Information Point Headfort Place, Kells, Co. Meath T +353 (0)46 9240064 W [email protected]

Kraft Kaffee and Tourist Point For further information please contact: Millbrook Road, Oldcastle, Co. Meath Bru na Boinne Tourist Office T +353 (0)49 8542645

Visitor Centre Navan -Solstice Arts Centre and Tourist Information Donore Railway st., Navan, Co. Meath T +353 (0)46 9092300 Co. Meath W [email protected]

Trim Visitor Centre, T: + 353 (0)41 9880305 Castle St., Trim, Co. Meath T +353 (0)46 9437227 + 353 (0)44 9348761 W [email protected] E: [email protected] W www.discoverireland.ie/boynevalley W: www.discoverireland.ie/boynevalley www.boynevalleydrive.ie DiscoverBoyneValley FI/11223-12