Irish AN MHÍ, meaning in the middle, originally MIDE, or MIDHE, county in the province of Leinster, Ireland.
It is bounded by Counties Monaghan (north), Louth (northeast), Fingal (Dublin; southeast), Kildare (south), Offaly (southwest), Westmeath (west), and Cavan (northwest); the Irish Sea lies on the east coast.
Known as the Royal County, covers and area of 905 square miles (2,339 sq km).
Population (1991) 105,370.
Navan, Population (1991) 11,606 is the administrative centre, at the confluence of the Boyne and Blackwater rivers.
Other towns include Slane, Athboy, Kells, Trim and Dunshaughlin.
Attractions of Meath
Home to the ancient seat of the High Kings at Tara and the renowned Boyne Valley, Meath has some of the most important archeological sites yet unearthed, at Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. Predating the pyramids, these Neolithic passage graves have been expertly excavated and restored and are one of Ireland's most popular and busiest visitor attractions. Access to the sites are via the Bru na Boinne Visitors Centre.
The beautifully scribed early Christian Book of Kells originated from the town of Kells in County Meath and is now on display at Trinity University in Dublin.
The Heritage town of Trim was once home to one of the oldest religious settlements in Ireland. The magnificent Norman Castle at Trim still stands.
Visitors to County Meath can also enjoy a six mile coastline of white sandy beaches.
Other activities include fishing in the River Boyne, coarse angling in the Royal Canal, Lough Sheelin and the Drumconrath lakes.
Meath has three racecourses including Fairyhouse, home of the Irish Grand National and summer stand racing on Laytown beach as well as Navan Racecourse.
The Hill of Tara (507 ft/155 m high) was the seat of the high kings of Ireland from ancient times until the 6th century.
There are six raths (earthwork enclosures), the largest of which is 850 ft (259 m) in diameter.
On the way from Tara to Trim lies the substantial remains of Ireland's second Cistercian monastery founded in 1147 - Bective Abbey.
The Loughcrew Cairns (Slieve na Callaighe) are a group of Passage Tombs dating from the Neolithic (c. 3,000 B.C.) times. These are located near Oldcastle.
I have a number of pictures of Meath. The first picture you see is of Newgrange(1.). The next picture is of Slane Castle(2.). The next picture is of King Johns Castle Trim(3.).
(1.)
(2.)
(3.)
Driving Directions
Meath can be easily reached from Dublin by taking the N1, N2, N3 or N4 routes depending on your destination. The N3 route passes through Dunsaughlin, Navan on its way to Kells. The N2 Route goes through Ashbourne and Slane. The N1 Route passes close to Laytown and Bettystown. The N4 Route goes through Enfield on the way to Kinnegad.
The county is also served by a number of other primary routes, the N51 passes through Athboy, Navan and Slane, whilst the N52 passes through Kells on its way to Ardee.
Maps and Routeplanners to help your plan your journey are available on irlguide.com.
It is now
in Meath