County Meath

The Boyne Valley holds the deep past: Newgrange and Tara within a short drive of each other, and Trim's great Norman castle. Give the valley a full day.

County Meath facts

Province: Leinster
County town: Navan
Setting: East coast
Touring region: Ireland's Ancient East
Best for: history, castles, family, scenic drives
Places in the planner: 5

County Meath, the Royal County, holds Ireland's richest concentration of ancient monuments. In the Boyne Valley, the passage tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, a UNESCO World Heritage Site at Brú na Bóinne, predate the pyramids, and the Hill of Tara was the seat of the High Kings of Ireland.

Later history is just as strong: Trim Castle is Ireland's largest Norman castle, the Battle of the Boyne was fought near Drogheda in 1690, and Slane Castle hosts famous concerts. Away from the heritage sites, Meath is prosperous farmland with lively towns and a short Irish Sea coastline at Bettystown and Laytown. Book Brú na Bóinne ahead, especially in summer, and give the Boyne Valley a full day rather than a single stop: Newgrange in the morning, Tara or Trim in the afternoon, and dinner in a Boyne town makes the deep history fall into place.

Top sights in Meath

Newgrange and Brú na Bóinne

A 5,000-year-old passage tomb famous for its winter solstice alignment, within a UNESCO-listed landscape.

Hill of Tara

The ceremonial seat of the High Kings of Ireland, with earthworks and wide views.

Trim Castle

Ireland's largest Norman castle, standing above the River Boyne.

Battle of the Boyne Site

The visitor centre at Oldbridge tells the story of the 1690 battle.

Loughcrew Cairns

Hilltop passage tombs in the west of the county, older and quieter than Newgrange.

Towns & cities in Meath

Navan

Two rivers meet here, the Boyne and the Blackwater, and Tara's hill stands just south of the town. Navan is the county town of County Meath and was a walled town of the medieval Pale.

Kells

The Book of Kells took its name from this town, where monks kept it for centuries. The round tower and high crosses of the early monastic site still stand in the churchyard.

Trim

Heritage town dominated by its great Norman castle.

Slane

Village on the Boyne known for its castle and concerts.

Best time to visit

Meath's heritage sites work year-round, though Newgrange tours are best booked ahead in summer. Spring and autumn bring quieter visits and soft light in the Boyne Valley.

Getting there

Meath borders Dublin: Navan is about 45 minutes northwest of the capital by road, and Dublin Airport is the nearest airport. Drogheda station serves the east of the county.

Places for your trip

Navan: Two rivers meet here, the Boyne and the Blackwater, and Tara's hill stands just south of the town. Navan is the county town of County Meath and was a walled town of the medieval Pale.
Newgrange and Bru na Boinne: Newgrange is a Neolithic passage tomb in the Boyne Valley, part of the Bru na Boinne UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hill of Tara: The Hill of Tara is an archaeological complex in County Meath traditionally regarded as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland.
Kells: The Book of Kells took its name from this town, where monks kept it for centuries. The round tower and high crosses of the early monastic site still stand in the churchyard.
Trim Castle: Trim Castle on the River Boyne is the largest Norman castle in Ireland.

What's on

No anchor festival is based here, but the Irish year is full: next up nationally is TradFest (20–24 Jan 2027, Temple Bar, Dublin). See the full events calendar

Nearby counties