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.
Best sites to see in Navan
Hill of Tara
The archaeological hilltop south of Navan, traditionally the seat of the High Kings of Ireland, with ancient earthworks and a visitor centre in a converted church.
Bective Abbey
The ruined Cistercian abbey on the River Boyne south of Navan, founded in the 12th century, with a well-preserved cloister and tower.
The Ramparts and Boyne river walk
The riverside walk along the Boyne from Navan, following the old navigation towpath through wooded banks east of the town.
Solstice Arts Centre
Navan's arts centre and theatre near the town centre, with exhibitions, performances and the tourist information point.
Where to stand, and when
- Hill of Tara summit: Sunrise gives wide views over the Meath countryside from the ancient earthworks, often before other visitors arrive.
- Bective Abbey from the Boyne bridge: Late afternoon light shows the abbey ruins above the river meadows.
- The Ramparts walk along the Boyne: Autumn colour along the tree-lined towpath photographs best in soft morning light.
Navan through history
Navan's Irish name, An Uaimh, means the cave; the town stands where the River Blackwater joins the Boyne.
Navan was one of the walled towns of the medieval Pale and developed as a market town for County Meath.
Navan is the county town of County Meath.
The nearby Hill of Tara was in tradition the inauguration place of the High Kings of Ireland, with monuments dating back to the Neolithic period.
Practical tips
- The Hill of Tara visitor centre is seasonal; the hill itself is open, but check OPW hours for the exhibition and film before visiting.
- The Ramparts walk is flat and waymarked, but can be muddy after rain, so wear suitable footwear.
- Navan has no railway station; buses connect the town with Dublin and Drogheda, and drivers should allow for town-centre traffic at peak times.
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