NewgrangeThe passage tomb went up around 3200 BC under a mound above the Boyne. You go in on a guided tour that leaves from the visitor centre.
An Mhí
Meath
Passage tombs, the Boyne, and the hill the old kings sat on.
- Leinster
- 20 places
- 5 events in the next 30 days
- 28 more listings
The list
Top 10 things to do in Meath
Meath has the richest run of ancient tombs in the country. Newgrange went up around 3200 BC, which puts it ahead of the pyramids, and Knowth carries the largest collection of megalithic art in western Europe. Tara and Trim are under forty minutes' drive from Newgrange, and Loughcrew is about an hour west.
NewgrangeThe passage tomb went up around 3200 BC under a mound above the Boyne. You go in on a guided tour that leaves from the visitor centre.
Hill of TaraGrassed earthworks on a low ridge south of Navan, where the high kings were made. It is open ground and free to walk.
Trim CastleIreland's largest Norman castle: a great cruciform keep inside a curtain wall on the bank of the Boyne. It closes for works from 1st November 2026 to 1st April 2027.
KnowthPrehistoric site · DonoreSmaller satellite tombs ring the mound at Knowth, which carries the biggest collection of megalithic art in western Europe.
Slane CastleCastle · SlaneSlane Castle stands above the Boyne, and the natural amphitheatre in its grounds gets used for concerts.
Loughcrew CairnsPrehistoric site · OldcastlePassage tombs scattered across the hilltops just east of Oldcastle, up a steep walk from the car park. The chamber inside Cairn T is closed for conservation works at present.
Hill of SlaneMonastic site · SlaneA ruined friary and a tower sit on the hilltop above the village, with most of the Boyne valley in the view.
Battle of the Boyne Visitor CentreMuseum · DroghedaThe 1690 battle was fought across the Oldbridge estate. The house is closed, and the exhibition is in the stable yard beside it, free to enter, with the walled garden and parkland to walk.
DowthPrehistoric site · DroghedaThird of the great Boyne mounds, and this one is open ground you can walk around at any hour with no ticket.
Bective AbbeyAbbey · NavanThe Cistercian abbey beside the Boyne still has its cloister arcade and tower. You can walk straight into it.
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Kells Round Tower and High CrossesMonastic site · KellsThe round tower and carved crosses stand in the middle of Kells, on the monastery the Book of Kells takes its name from. The OPW has the site closed for conservation works at present, so check before you travel.
Newtown TrimRuin · TrimA ruined cathedral and priory stand on the riverbank, a short walk downstream from Trim Castle.
Emerald ParkWildlife park · AshbourneTheme park and zoo on the Dublin side of the county, with rollercoasters and an animal collection.
FourknocksPrehistoric site · ArdcathThe small passage tomb near Naul has carved stones inside it. You collect the key locally to get in.
TrimTown · Co. MeathTrim is built around its castle, with the Yellow Steeple and several other medieval ruins inside a short walk.
SlaneVillage · Co. MeathFour matching Georgian houses face each other at the crossroads, with the Boyne bridge below.
Laytown and Bettystown BeachBeach · LaytownThis strand runs several kilometres up the Meath coast, wide enough that horse races are run on it.
Spire of LloydViewpoint · KellsThe stone folly on a hill outside Kells was built in the shape of a lighthouse, and it is open to climb on set days.
Athlumney CastleCastle · NavanThe tower house and later fortified home sit on the far bank of the Boyne from Navan town.
Donaghmore Round TowerMonastic site · NavanA round tower and church ruin stand in a graveyard on the Slane road out of Navan, with a carved doorway.
Where they are
Tap a pin to open the place.
15 of the 20 places are on the map. The rest are listed above.
in Meath today
What’s on in Meath
Coming up, soonest first.
Today, Saturday 7th November
Thursday 19th November
Friday 18th December
Saturday 30th January
Running now
Towns
The one with enough in and around it for a page of its own.
More to see in Meath
28 more places from Fáilte Ireland’s own listings, linked to their own sites where they have one.
Castles and houses5
- Dardistown CastleJulianstown
- Kells Courthouse - Tourism and Cultural HubKells
- The Old Bridge, TrimTrim
- Wellington MemorialTrim
- Dunmoe CastleCo. Meath
Mountains and cliffs1
- Patrickstown Viewing PointOldcastle
Abbeys and churches6
- Duleek AbbeyDuleek
- Ardmulchan ChurchNavan
- St Columba's ChurchKells
- Skryne ChurchSkreen
- Killary Monastic SiteSlane
- Donaghpatrick ChurchCo. Meath
Gardens and parks5
Museums7
Music in Meath
Trad sessions, venues and festivals.
Where to hear it
Sessions come and go: check with the pub before you travel.
- Owen Traynor Bar & GroceryPub with trad sessions · Oldcastle
- Shaw's of SummerhillPub with trad sessions · Summerhill
- Swift Cultural CentreMusic venue · Trim
- Slane CastleMusic venue · Slane
- Solstice Arts CentreTheatre and arts centre · Navan
- THE VENUE TheatreTheatre and arts centre · Ratoath
Where to stay in Meath
14 places on Fáilte Ireland’s register of approved accommodation: the four star hotels and guest houses, plus hostels and historic houses.
- Pillo Hotel Ashbourne4-star hotel · Ashbourne
- Dunboyne Castle Hotel and Spa4-star hotel · Dunboyne
- The Johnstown Estate4-star hotel · Enfield
- CityNorth Hotel4-star hotel · Gormanston
- Headfort Arms Hotel4-star hotel · Kells
- Ardboyne Hotel4-star hotel · Navan
- Knightsbrook Hotel and Golf Resort4-star hotel · Trim
- Trim Castle Hotel4-star hotel · Trim
- Tankardstown HouseHistoric house · Slane
- Broadmeadow Country House4-star guest house · Ashbourne
- Boyne House Slane4-star guest house · Slane
- Athlumney Manor4-star B&B · Navan
- Newgrange LodgeHostel · Drogheda
- Slane Farm HostelHostel · Slane
Where to eat and drink in Meath
23 restaurants, pubs and cafés listed with Fáilte Ireland. A list of who registered, not a ranking, linked to their own sites where they have one.
- Kelly’s PubPub · AshbourneFacebook page
- La Bucca RestaurantRestaurant · Ashbourne
- The Cinnamon Garden RestaurantRestaurant · Ashbourne
- The SnailboxRestaurant · Ashbourne
- Daly's InnRestaurant · Cruicerath
- Sage & StoneCafé · Duleek
- TRIBE RestaurantRestaurant · Duleek
- Slevin’sPub · DunboyneFacebook page
- Harnan's BarPub · Enfield
- Tara Lounge & Mornington Restaurant at CityNorth HotelRestaurant · Gormanston
- Vanilla Pod Restaurant at the Headfort Arms HotelRestaurant · Kells
- Signal Restaurant at The Station House HotelRestaurant · Kilmessan
- China Garden RestaurantRestaurant · Navan
- Copper SpiceRestaurant · Navan
- The Bridge Restaurant at Newgrange HotelRestaurant · Navan
- The CentralRestaurant · Navan
- The LanternPub · Navan
- Owen Traynor Bar & GroceryPub · Oldcastle
- The FincourtPub · Oldcastle
- Brabazon Restaurant at Tankardstown HouseRestaurant · Slane
- Shaw's of SummerhillPub · Summerhill
- FranzinisRestaurant · TrimFacebook page
- Lua CaféCafé · Trim
Getting to Meath
- By air
- Dublin Airport
- By rail
- Gormanston and Laytown are on the line north to Drogheda, Dunboyne and M3 Parkway on the M3 Parkway line, and Enfield on the Dublin to Sligo line.
- By road
- The M1, M2, M3, M4 and N51.
Questions
What are the best things to do in Meath?
Our top three are Newgrange, Hill of Tara and Trim Castle. The full list of twenty is at the top of this page, and every place on it has a page of its own.
What can you do in Meath for free?
Walks, beaches and open ground cost nothing to visit. On our list that includes Laytown and Bettystown Beach. Check parking and access with the place before you go.
What is on in Meath?
There are 7 events listed in Meath over the months ahead. See them all.
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