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On our first afternoon in Ireland we checked in to our B&B and then we went to the Hill of Tara (prehistoric site) after getting lost several times (signposting in Ireland is non-existent). We saw the audio/visual show and wandered around the site. Lots of mounds in the middle of a field. Our son enjoyed running up and down the hills.The next day we also visited Newgrange and Knowth
St Mary Priory and tower ruins date from 12thC.There is a 10thC High Cross in outside priory.Duleek has a wayside Cross The Dowdall Cross by roadsideerectedin 1601 by Lady Jennet Dowell in memory of her husband and herself.
While getting lost on our first day in Ireland, my husband and I stumbled across the Beamore Heritage Trail and pulled in to see the famous Kilsharvan Cemetery. TALK ABOUT BEAUTIFUL! Park your car and walk into the cemetery and out towards the fields. You pass under many old archways of the church and overgrown grave markers.In journeying into Beamore and Kilsharvan we are following the same paths as figures from every period of Ireland’s history: prehistoric hunters and farmers bound for Brú na Bóinne; Saint Patrick and his monks; the Danes; de Lacy and the Normans; the protagonists of 1641; Oliver Cromwell; stragglers from the Battle of the Boyne in 1690; optimistic United Irishmen at the end of the 1700’s; victims of the Great Famine; idealists of 1916; raiding parties of The Troubles; and local people living everyday lives.The Kilsharvan Cemetary and Church date back to the 13th...
Newgrange is the best known Irish passage tomb and is surrounded by a kerb of 97 stones, the most impressive of which is the highly decorated Entrance Stone. The mound covers a single tomb consisting of a long passage and a cross shaped chamber. First excivated in 1962, the sight has continued to yield neolithic treasures and hints into mankind's past.Newgrange is seen by purchasing a ticket at the Visitor Center, then hopping on a bus that will take you to the tomb. A guide will take you through the tomb and explain the history and significance of the site.On the Winter Solstice the sun shines through the roof box above the passage entrance and illuminates the basin stone. Tickets to see this magnificent event are on a lottery basis, and even that won't guarantee you a peak, as it could be cloudy or there might be fog! Not to worry though, as each tour includes a simulated Winter...
Trim is considered by many to be one of the finest examples of a Norman castle in all of Ireland. Almost uniquely for a Norman castle of this scale in Europe, it has scarcely been modified since it was completed in the 13th century. Even the walls around the castle are in excellent condition - which you can explore at your leisure walking through the grounds. This castle was started by Hugh de Lacy in 1173 and sits on the banks fo the beautiful River Boyne.Of note would be the fact that Mel Gibson featured Trim castle in his movie Braveheart.Trim Castle grounds have eight important buildings: Trim Visitor Center, Trim Castle, Sheep's Gate, Talbon Castle/St. Mary's Abbey, the Yellow Steeple, St. Patrick's cathedral, SS Peter and Paul cathedral, and the hospial of St. John the Baptist.Probably one of my favorite parts was the Yellow Steeple as it was the site of an important pilgrimage in...
The Hill of Tara was where the High Kings of Ireland were crowned and is mentioned in many Irish legends from ancient times. To be honest, I expected it to be a little bit more impressive. It's historically very important but little effort seems to have been made to make it as popular as, say, Newgrange. Some more information woul d have been nice. The site itself just has the odd plaque near an uninteresting looking mound. The church at the bottom of the hill now houses a (very) small visitor's centre.
Bru na Boinne is a trio of prehistoric passage graves, the most famous being Newgrange, scattered over a small area on the banks of the River Boyne. Passage graves are huge mounds built over a tomb, similar in concept I suppose to the Pyramids, although these graves are several hundred years older! The complex is extremely popular and there is a daily limit on the number of visitors allowed to see the graves, so it's advisable to arrive at the Visitor's Centre as early as possible. From there visitors are shuttled around by bus. There are various ticket combinations available, depending which of the graves you want to see. The Visitor's Centre itself is a modern building displaying information about how and why the graves were built.
The Megalithic passage tomb at Newgrange was built about 3200 BC. It covers an area of over one acre and is surrounded by 100 kerbstones . The 19 metre long inner passage leads to a chamber with a corbelled roof. It is estimated that the construction of the Passage Tomb at Newgrange would have taken a work force of 300 at least 20 years to build. A shaft of sunlight shines through the roof box over the entrance and penetrates the passage to light up the chamber. The dramatic event lasts for 17 minutes at dawn from the 19th to the 23rd of December. They centre chooses the person/s through a lottery system, the first 50 people drawn out of the system get the chance to see this wonderful out of the world experience and application forms are available at the reception desk in the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre. When you enter the chamber the guide gives you the story behind it and then also...
Trim Castle is the largest remaining Anglo-Norman castle in Europe, and parts of the movie Braveheart have been filmed here. When I visited it it was just being restored and we could not go inside, but from the outside it looks absolutely massive.Also, the "Yellow Steeple" on the other side of the river makes a nice picture.
The Hill of Tara is the ancient capital of Ireland and was the seat of the High Kings. There is not really a whole lot to see there except old earthworks, mounds and two standing stones, but I find it a very magical site. It is said that from the top you can see all four provinces of Ireland. Try to go there when there are as few visitors as possible, first thing in the morning, for example. I found it great to sit on top of that hill, leaning against a standing stone (when it is not as waterlogged as in the picture) and to see Ireland spread out at your feet, imagining what life must have been like when there were people still living on this hill.
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Reviews and photos of County Meath attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for County Meath sightseeing.
Q: We are from Dublin and we are planning to visit Trim Castle. Can anyone please help me on how to travel to Trim castle? Which bus...
A: Take bus 111 from Busaras, see www.buseireann.ie for timetables, route plans, maps etc.
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