Welcome to Ashbourne!
Ashbourne in County Meath is a short journey of twenty kilometres up the motorway from Dublin, and can be reached from the M50 and the N2, one of the main ring roads of the capital. Historically, the town was called Killeglan or Kildeglan meaning “Deaglan’s church”. Due to its short distance from Dublin, it is a commuter town.
Top Hotels
Among other amenities, Ashbourne has a rugby club that has – thanks to recent refurbishments – a small Astroturf pitch that can be used for five a side soccer. The local Gaelic Games club also has an Astroturf pitch. A boxing club, a soccer team (Ashbourne United) and a judo club can also be found in the town. An eighteen hole golf course is located on the outskirts of the town.
Fairyhouse Racecourse is located four km from Ashbourne.
Ashbourne’s first cinema has recently opened.
The town’s history dates back to before 1220, when Hugh deLacey divided lands among his troops once it was settled, with a portion of the Killeglan area being given to the Wafre family.
The town played a part in the 1916 Easter Rising, when a group of Volunteers attacked the police barracks at Ashbourne. Ten men of the Royal Irish Constabulary were stationed at the barracks at the time, far more than the usual four, due to the rebellion in Dublin.
After a standoff, a county inspector arrived to reinforce the police force after gathering more than fifty men in Slane. The Volunteers in turn got reinforcements of their own, and a long battle between the police force and the Volunteers took place, with the RIC members pinned down on all sides. The Volunteers won the battle, but they had to surrender themselves following the failure of the rebellion in Dublin. The leader of the rebellion, Thomas Ashe, was initially sentenced to death, but this was commuted to penal servitude for life, perhaps in part due to the wave of public sympathy for the rebels following the high profile execution of leaders in Dublin.
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Navan Golf Club
Navan, Co. Meath
18 Holes with 15 Driving Bays. Green Fees 2002 Mid week €22. Weekend &Bank Holiday €27. Special reductions for groups of 25 or over. Green Fees / Societies Welcome. Great Bar Menu.
- Tel: +353 (0)46 72888
- Email: golf@navangolfandracecourse.com
Ashbourne Golf Club
Black Bush Golf Club
County Meath Golf Club
Headfort Golf Club
Laytown & Bettystown Golf Club
Moor Park Golf Club
South Meath Golf Club
Summerhill Golf Club
Trim Golf Course
Meath Tourist Attractions
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Kells High Crosses - Kells
The Kells High Crosses are decorated with biblical scenes and are regarded as the country's most important crosses. The Market Cross is located at the junction of John Street and Castle Street. Its original location was probably at the entrance to the ancient monastery. The other four crosses are situated in the grounds of Saint Columba's Church. The ninth century South Cross is the oldest, the twelfth century East Cross is also referred to as 'the unfinished' because its decoration is incomplete. The North Cross has been reduced to its base and the 10th century West Cross is the most decorated of the five.
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King John's Castle - Trim
Located in Trim, the "Power and the Glory" exhibition brings to reality the lifestyle of Norman times. King John's Castle, built in 1220, is the largest and best preserved Norman Castle in Ireland and was used as a location for the award winning film Braveheart
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Newgrange Open Farm - Clane
Located close to Clane, a traditional working farm where you can enjoy a unique hands on experience. Visitors can hold and feed farm animals, view demonstration displays of crops, vintage farm machinery, tractor and trailer rides. There's also a Coffee shop, picnic area and car park.
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The Hill of Slane - Slane
The Hill of Slane is one of the most historic sites in Meath, and is associated with Saint Patrick. It is believed that he lit the first Paschal Fire here in the year A.D. 433. The first monastery there was founded by Saint. Erc, the first bishop of Slane. Various parts of this building were erected at different times and the oldest parts probably at some time in the fifth century. Saint Patrick is supposed to have consecrated the little church and for a while he lived there. There are great views from the top of the hill of the river Boyne winding its course to the sea and all around the rich green pastures of Meath, Louth and the Boyne Valley. Directly south is the Hill of Tara, seat of the High Kings of Ireland.
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The Loughcrew Cairns - Dunore
Located at Dunore, The Loughcrew Cairns (Slieve na Calliagh) are a group of Passage Tombs dating from the Neolithic period (c.3,000BC). Cairn T, one of the largest in the complex, has impressive examples of prehistoric art, and is also the site of the famous "Hag's Chair". There is a panoramic view of the rich lands of Meath and the lakelands of Cavan among the 14 counties that can be seen from Carnbane East. Loughcrew is the birthplace of Saint Oliver Plunkett and the Plunkett family church is still standing.
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The National Ecology Centre Sonairte - Laytown
Located at The Ninch, Laytown, Sonairte is Irelands premier environmental visitor centre. The centre contains an organic garden, riverside nature trail, renewable energy interactive park, wind, rain and solar exhibits. It is also Ireland's only ecology centre providing education towards a environmentally friendly lifestyle.
Heritage Sites
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Bru Na Boinne Centre (Newgrange) - Donore
Located at Donore, this centre is designed to present the archaeological heritage of the Boyne Valley, which includes the megalithic passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth. Visitors to Newgrange and Knowth must begin their visits at the Visitor Centre. There is no direct access to either of these monuments and access is by guided tour only.
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Loughcrew Corstown - Oldcastle
The Loughcrew Cairns, also known as the Hills of the Witch, are a group of Neolithic passage tombs dating to 3000BC. The tombs are located on three different hills and Cairn T, one of the largest tombs in the complex, is situated on Carnbane East. This tomb has inside a cruciform chamber, a corbelled roof and some of the most beautiful examples of Neolithic art in Ireland. During the Vernal and Autumnal Equinox, people gather at dawn in Cairn T to watch sunlight enter the chamber and illuminate the inside of the tomb.
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The Hill of Tara - Trim
Embraced as the spiritual capital of Ireland, the roots of Irish legend and folklore are entrenched in mystical domain of Tara. It was on the Hill of Tara that the Ard Rí, or high king was crowned, hence its title as the Seat of the High Kings of Ireland. The Tuatha de Dannan are said to have been the first race to settle in Tara. This tribe of fierce warriors and sorcerers were believed to have brought the Lia Fail, or Destiny Stone with them. Legend has it that this mythical stone could determine the identity of the true high king. It would let out three loud roars once touched by the man fated to be ruler.
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Trim Castle - Trim
Trim Castle is the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland. Hugh de Lacy began construction of the castle in about 1172 but the central tower - the keep - was not completed until the 1220's. This twenty sided tower is three storeys high and was protected by a ditch, a curtain wall and a moat. Inside the tower were living quarters, a great hall and a small chapel. The curtain wall was defended by five D-shaped towers and entry to the castle was only through either of the two gates. The Towngate had a portcullis to protect it as well as a 'murder hole'.
