Essential Ireland > County Meath > Navan
Navan is situated at the point at which the Blackwater and Boyne Rivers meet and they join together at the Poolbeg Bridge crossing in the town. The town of Navan is the county town of County Meath in the north-eastern part of Ireland and it is just 30 minutes from capital city Dublin, a journey that is made straight forward by the presence of the M3 which travels past Navan on its way from the capital to Kells. Navan is a busy market town and it is based around a market square and its two rivers, next to which there are picturesque riverside walks for visitors to enjoy.
Parts of the Irish town of Navan date back to the 12th century, indeed the town walls were built around a settlement here during this century. From this point onwards Navan grew in importance and it became something of a defensive stronghold thanks to its walls and fortifications. The ruins of the 16th century Dunmoe Castle can also be seen and visited in the town. It has been a regional centre of trade ever since these days, helped no end by its market.
Today, Navan is home to the Tara Mine which is Europe’s largest zinc and coal mine, and this forms a major part of the local economy. It is also worth noting that Navan was the birthplace of Sir Francis Beaufort who developed the scale for wind strength in 1805, while the town also provided the childhood home of actor Pierce Brosnan.
There are several golf courses in and around Navan including the Navan Golf Club and the Royal Tara Golf Club which is a little further out. Horse racing takes place at Navan Racecourse while the Pairc Tailteann holds the Gaelic football events in the town.For those that enjoy being outside there are the riverside walks next to the Boyne and the Blackwater, while the Boyne Way takes explorers further afield on their feet too. An insight into the culture of the area can be found in the Solstice Art Gallery which holds a theatre, galleries, a studio and a shop.
Parts of the Irish town of Navan date back to the 12th century, indeed the town walls were built around a settlement here during this century. From this point onwards Navan grew in importance and it became something of a defensive stronghold thanks to its walls and fortifications. The ruins of the 16th century Dunmoe Castle can also be seen and visited in the town. It has been a regional centre of trade ever since these days, helped no end by its market.
Today, Navan is home to the Tara Mine which is Europe’s largest zinc and coal mine, and this forms a major part of the local economy. It is also worth noting that Navan was the birthplace of Sir Francis Beaufort who developed the scale for wind strength in 1805, while the town also provided the childhood home of actor Pierce Brosnan.
There are several golf courses in and around Navan including the Navan Golf Club and the Royal Tara Golf Club which is a little further out. Horse racing takes place at Navan Racecourse while the Pairc Tailteann holds the Gaelic football events in the town.For those that enjoy being outside there are the riverside walks next to the Boyne and the Blackwater, while the Boyne Way takes explorers further afield on their feet too. An insight into the culture of the area can be found in the Solstice Art Gallery which holds a theatre, galleries, a studio and a shop.