Day Trips & Tours

The Millhouse lies in the heart of County Meaths heritage trail and their is much to see and do in the surrounding areas. Only forty minutes from Dublin and ninety minutes from Belfast on the east coast. The Millhouse is an ideal base to explore Irelands mythical historical past. Private walking tours are available for groups.

The Village of Slane

An elegant 18th century hillside estate village on the beautiful River Boyne. It is rich in historical sites and legends.The early name for this beautiful little town was ʻFerta Fear Fiacʼ meaning ʻthe Graves of the Men of Fiacʼ and it appears to have taken its modern name from Slanius,a King of the legendary Fir Bolg, who is believed tobe buried on the Hill of Slane. Their is a broad range of activities and sites to explore in and around the village.

The Old Mill

Built in 1766 at a cost of over two million today, The Mill is said to be the oldest and finest in Ireland. Built with incredible attention to detail - all handcut stone and hand carved gibsanian surrounds, its stonework is as fine as that of a parliment building never mind an industrial Mill. The largest in Ireland at its time, originally powered by two horizontal water wheels underneeth. High tides & high rainfall called staff to work when the Millrace was full with water. One of the finest examples of Georgian Industrial Architecture in Ireland.

The Millhouse

Built in 1766 for the Manager of The Mill this Georgian manor was typical of its time but again extroadinary for its stonework ,size and excellent proportions. Thought to have been designed by Francis Johnson it is beautifully set along the river bank.

The Gothic Gate

At the bottom of the Mill Hill, facing the Mill is the former main entrance to Slane Castle. This, with the crenellated wall leading to a turret at the bridge, was designed by Francis Johnston at the same time as he was building nearby Townley Hall (1794–1801).The coat of arms over the gate is of Sir Henry Conyngham and his wife, Elizabeth Denison. He inherited the Slane property in 1796 and was created earl the following year. The arms are surmounted by an Earlʼs coronet and below is the Order of St.Patrick, to which he was admitted in 1801.

Slane Castle

Slane Castle is one of Irelandʼs most exciting historical buildings showing the collective talents of some of Ireland and Englands most distinguished Architects. James Gandon, James Wyatt & Francis Johnson. Overlooking theRiver Boyne, it has been the home of the Conyngham family for over 300 years.When much of the castle was destroyed by fire in 1991, The Earl of Mount Charles,eldest son of the 7th Marquess Conyngham,and his wife undertook an extensive ten year restoration programme. The castle -opened for guided tours in 2001.The castle in its present form dates from1785 and is built on the foundation of Pale fortress. The parklands where laid out by the distinguished landscape Architect Capability Browne and are soon to be opened to the public.The neo gothic ballroom, by Thomas Hopper was completed in1821, has a superb tracery ceiling – one earliest examples of interior decoration in the Neo-Gothic style in Ireland. This is also home to Slane castle Whiskey.

Guided tours are available to groups

T +353 (0) 41 9884400

E enquiries@slanecastle.ie

Open May to August call for exact dates).

Open -Sunday, Mon, Tues,& Thurs only

Closed Fri and Sat Hours: 12 noon – 5 pm Admission €7

The Hill of Slane

The site of an anchient monastery 674AD - 678AD and where St patrick lit the paschal fire in 433AD. Patrickʼs fire challenged the Pagan law that forbade the lighting of any other fire while the festive fire at Tara still burned. This also symbolised the triumph of christianity over paganisim through the birth and establishment of christianity. St Erc supported Patrick against the druids, and the High King Laoghaire allowed Patrick to continue his work of preaching Christianity throughout Ireland. This fire also signified St Patricks spell to burn all the snakes out of Ireland. Their is also the remains of a 16th century friary, school and a bishops tomb.

The Ledwidge Cottage Museum

This museum illustrates the life and times of the war poet Francis Ledwidge who grew up in Slane in poverty, left school aged 13, worked as a farm labourer, a houseboy, a roadworker and a miner before enlisting in the army, only to be killed near Ypres on 31st July 1917. His richly lyrical romantic poetry, describing ordinary everyday life in the early 20th century countryside of the Boyne valley, is highly regarded and still enchants those who take the time to enjoy it. He is best known for his lament for his friend,the patriot and poet, Thomas McDonagh:

He shall not hear the bittern cry

In the wild sky where he is lain,

Nor voices of the sweeter birds

Above the wailing of the rain.

The Ledwidge cottage museum Janeville, Slane

County Meath T +353 (0) 41 982 4544 E ledwidgemuseum@ eircom.net

OpenDaily 10 am – 1 pm and 2 pm – 5.30 pm

Admission Adults € for students, children,OAPs, families and bus groups.

The Twelve Apostles

The buildings in Slane village are complemented by its many mature trees. Cedar and evergreen conifers adorn the Square. Chestnut and copper beech provide a backdrop for the Church of Ireland. A row of Western Red Cedars along the Old Rectory garden wall, known as the Twelve Apostles, was probably planted when the Rectory was built in 1807.

The Gate-Lodge

A pretty turreted gate-lodge on the bend of the road going down to the bridge is part of the Slane Castle demesne. The Conyngham monogram is on the gates. It was once used as a school for females, supported by the Marchioness Conyngham.

John Boyle OʼReilly Memorial

The John Boyle OʼReilly (1844–1890)memorial in Slane commemorates this poet, publisher, rebel and humanitarian who was born at Dowth Castle in 1844. His concern for his downtrodden fellow countrymen led him into the Fenian movement which resulted, in 1886, in his deportation as a rebel to a penal colony in Australia. He escaped and went on to become editor of the Boston Pilot and one of the most influential Boston Irishmen of the 19th century, commemorated by The OʼReilly Memorial in that city.

I am tired of planning and toiling

In the crowded hives of men;

Heart-weary of building and spoiling,

And spoiling and building again.

And I long for the dear old river,

Where I dreamed my youth away;

For a dreamer lives forever,

And a toiler dies in a day.

From ʻThe Cry of a Dreamerʼ by John Boyle OʼReilly

John Cassidy

A successful and prolific artist in Victorian Britain, John Cassidy was born at Littlewood, Slane, in 1860. Having studied at Manchester College of Art, he lived in Manchester until his death in 1939. His work was exhibited at the Royal Academy, the Royal Hibernian Academy and Manchester City Art Gallery. His public sculpture can be seen all around Britain as well as in Manchester where his group ʻTheology Inspiring Science and Artʼ dominates the foyer of the John Rylands Library and himatching statues of John Rylands and Mrs. Rylands adorn the reading room.

The Village

This beautiful cut stone estate village has many wonderful cut stone buildings, churches belltowers and experiences to offer from the great live music every night in Boyles pub to the wonderful french bakery Georges and old post office restaurant. The village also has a fantastic gift shop - Connolly & Moore , Art Gallery and Ladies fashion boutique Kohl.

Canal Walks

Their is beautiful 18th century canal walks tow paths lying just across from The Old Mill canal with a tow-path and now a pretty scenic walkway. Wildlife abounds here and along the peaceful canal banks you can see typical gates, locks and bridges as well as stately homes and ruined castles and an old eel weir. The Canal was built to make the river navigable fromDrogheda to Navan. Horsedrawn barges carried coal, grain and flour to and from themany mills along the river. Pleasure boats plied the route for a while in the 19th century, bringing tourists to Newgrange and Slane. The tow-path upstream leads past the weir and continues along the river bank past Slane Castle with its fine parkland and splendid trees. It passes Slane Castle Lock, then Loverʼs Leap (a white rock in a wooded escarpment), into Beau Parc estate with its classical mansion.The fishermanʼs path continues to Carrickdexter Weir. The ruined Dexter Castle is on the opposite bank. Downstream the tow-path* goes to Ros na Rí Mill, passing a derelict eel-weir and ʻthe Tunnelʼ, a natural arch in a 6m high rocky outcrop, through which the canal was cut.The double lock and stone bridge at Ros na Rí are fine examples of canal engineering. The path continues to Oldbridge, site of the Battle of the Boyne. Reasonably stout walking shoes are recommended for all walks

Wildlife to look out for

The River Boyne has been designated a Special Area of Conservation for its otter, Atlantic salmon and river lampry. With luckyou may see a kingfisher near the water, or a buzzard (Irelandʼs biggest bird of prey) swooping overhead. Mute swans areresident on the weir; Hooper swans are winter visitors. Herons, water wagtails and dippers are plentiful. Among the dragonflies that feed on the reed beds in the flood plane at Slane bridge are the smaller damsel flies (variable, blue-tailed and red) and the banded demoiselle fly. At night the Daubentonʼs bat feeds over the water and there are long-eared owls in the deciduous woods

History of Slane Walking Tour

Mick Kelly T +353 (0) 87 937 7040 Duration 2 hours.


www.hilltoptreks.ie day tours of the boyne valley hills

Sporting Activities

For those with sporting interests the Boyne provides excellent fishing. Horseriding, racing, golf, tennis, walking, kayaking and canoeing are all available locally or lie within easy driving distance. It is under 20km to the coast where there are safe sandy beaches and miles of dunes to walk.


Boyne Valley Activities
Kayaking, High Ropes, Archery, Go Karting, Horseriding
www.boynevaleyactivities.ie E info@boynevalleyactivities.ie
Tel 086-7342585/ 086-7342586






 

Littlewood Forest Park, Slane, Co Meath

Many trails and interesting wildlife to be seen

Newgrange Slane Bike Hire

Slane, Co. Meath

Explore the beauties of the Boyne Valley at your leisure. Bikes for adults and children.

T +353 (0) 86 069 5771

Navan Racecourse

Proudstown, Navan, Co. Meath

Superb N.H. racecourse, 1 ml 4 furlongs set in 180 acres.

Public bar/restaurant.

Suites available for meetings and functions.

T +353 (0) 46 902 1350 F +353 (0) 46 902 7694

E info@navanracecourse.ie

Bellewstown Golf Course

Bellewstown, Co. Meath

Situated north-east of Bellewstown Racecourse. Par 72 pay and play facility.18 holes played over 6,700 yards with beautiful fairways leading to state of the art USGA greens.

T +353 (0) 41 988 2757E

bellewstowngolf@eircom.net

www.bellewstowngolf.com

Stackallen Tennis and Pitch and Putt Club

Stackallen, Slane, Co. Meath

18 hole pitch and putt course, 6 allweather floodlit tennis courts. Green fees and court fees available. 2km from Slane.

T +353 (0) 41 982 4279

Dunmoe Riding School

This is Meath's oldest riding facility. Pleasantly situated on the south facing slope of the Boyne Valley, the school is found between Navan and Slane on the N51. Successfully run by Feargus O'Connor visitors are assured that a safety is always the first priority. Feargus' 25 years of experience has been passed on to the staff who are trained to a equally high standard.Slane Road, Navan, Meath.

Phone: +353 (0)46 9024401

Fishing on the Boyne

The Millhouse has its own private fishing location on The River Boyne.The season runs from March to September. Guide services Marc O Regan.

Tel: 00 353 46 9431635.

Kayaking & Canoing on the Boyne

Private groups and individuals.

www.skbc.ie

Tel Paul.maguire@skbc.ie

M 086-8261331

Rathe House Activity & adventure centre

An outdoor pursuit and adventure centre, set in 500 acres of beautiful and scenic countryside Rathe House offers action,adventure and corporate team activities based on single day courses. Activities include, horseriding, coarse fishing, 4x4 off road driving, Mountaineering, Canoing, Indoor and outdoor archery and clay pigeon shooting.

Kilmainhamwood, Co Meath,

Tel 046-9052376

www.rathehouse.ie E info@rathehouse.ie

Surrounding Slane

Brú na Bóinne – Newgrange

Irelandʼs best-known collection of prehistoric monuments, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is 5km downstream from Slane. Brú na Bóinne, Pagan Irelandʼs royal burial place, contains 37 passage graves as well as the great tumuliof Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. Here you can see one of the greatest displays of Neolithic art in Europe, dating back to 3200 BC. Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre contains exhibitions that describe the society that created the Neolithic tombs, how they were built, the meaning of the megalithic art and the solar alignments in the Boyne Valley.

Brú na Bóinne

Visitor Centre

Donore, Co. Meath

T+353 41 9880300 F +353 41 9823071brunaboinne@ealga.ie

Open

Mar–Apr Daily 09.30–17.30 May Daily 09.00–18.30 June–mid Sept Daily 09.00–19.00

Mid–end Sept Daily 09.00–18.30 Oct Daily 09.30–17.30 Nov–Feb Daily 09.30–17.00

Last admission 45 mins before closing time. Shuttle bus for last tourleaves 1 hr 45 mins

NB This is a very busy site. Visitors may experience a delay in the summer months.

Newgrange Farm and Coffee Shop

Irelandʼs leading open visitorʼs farm where everyone can see, hold and feed animals and poultry. Play areas provided. Wonderful day out for all the family. Open Easter Sunday – September 1st.

T +353 (0) 41 982 4119 F +353 (0) 41 982 4119

E farmerbill@newgrangefarm.com

The Battle of the Boyne Site & visitor centre

The largest number of troops ever deployed on an Irish battlefield faced each other in Slane parish, near Oldbridge, in 1690 at the Battle of the Boyne. This was a battle of European significance fought on Irish soil.The defeat of the Catholic King James II of England by the Protestant King William of Orange affected the political shape of Europe, the British throne and Protestant power in Ireland. Both kings commanded their armies in person. The battleʼs international dimension is reflected in the many nationalities of soldiers who made up the armies: Irish, French, Germans, and Walloons versus Irish, English, Dutch, Germans and Danes. There is a small exhibition with guided tours of the site available in the summer months. Walks, talks and displays are held during Heritage Week in early September. The Irish Government, who bought the site in 1999, plans to develop a visitor centre, exhibition, walkways and a peace garden, to promote respect and mutual understanding between the different traditions on this island. Open 1 May to 30 SeptemberDaily, 10.00–18.00 Last admission 45 mins. before closing. Rest of year open to group bookings (of 10 or more). Advance bookings only.

Townley Hall Forest Park

Drogheda Road,

Slane, Co. Meath

Explore the many trails through this wood overlooking the River Boyne.

Shopping

With excellent shopping facilities in nearby Navan and Drogheda you will have no need to travel to Dublin, but if you do it is only 45 minutes to the city centre and there is a frequent bus service. You will find attractive shops and boutiques in all the local towns, some of which attract shoppers from Dublin.Self-cateringPubs Around Slane and its environs you will find an increasing number of specialist food producers, small restaurants and craft workshops-modern gems among the ancient treasures of County Meath.

More info coming soon.

Ancient mystical landscapes of Ireland tours

Share a unique experience - tour the Boyne - Valley of the Milky Way - and explore its monuments, its myths, its magic. Hear about stones, stars and stories and experience the Island of the Setting Sun like you've never experienced it before. Delve into the mysteries of a sacred landscape and hear about warriors, wonderful cosmic events, and the unity of the landscape features and monuments which make up part of an ancient cosmological masterplan. The www.thehighmantours.com  offers personalized trips around mythical meath.

 Mythical Ireland creates tours of the Boyne Valley and county Meath/Louth region that are a bit"different". Now you can experience Ireland, its legends and landscape, like you've never done before. The echoes of the deep past resonate in the landscape today, but even more so if you tune to the correct frequency. This year, connect with that cosmological landscape and hear the fantastic stories of old retold and deciphered in an entertaining, mystic and wonderful way.

THE BOYNE - VALLEY OF THE MILKY WAY - TOUR:

Newgrange

This half-day tour will retrace the footsteps of hoary ancestors who landed at the Boyne Estuary and made the banks of this bountiful river their home and the site of their magnificent monuments. The tour will take in the Baltray standing stones, where a discovery in 1999 by three local earth mysteries researchers revealed that they had a Winter Solstice sunrise alignment, just like Newgrange. Then travel to the mysterious Millmount and hear about the Milesian invasion, led by the poet astronomer Amergin. Hear about its interesting astronomical alignments and the new information which places this mound on an equal footing with Newgrange and the major mounds of the Bend of the Boyne. Journey to Newgrange*, part of the Boyne World Heritage site, and see the wonderful "white Brugh" of Aonghus, hear magical tales transformed into astronomical wonderment and learn of the greater legacy of this awe-inspiring monument of 5,000 years ago.

Knowth

See the splendours of Knowth (dependent on time of year) and gaze at the biggest single collection of megalithic art in all of Europe. Hear about the new data that has transformed our understanding of Knowth and its place in the cosmic landscape. The tour will finish at the Hill of Slane, the place where St. Patrick lit the first Easter Fire in Ireland and the burial place of an ancient Fir Bolg King. Hear about Slane's fascinating place in the archetypal astronomical blueprint and learn about the "cosmic grid" connecting many sites of ancient importance.

THE HIGH MAN AND THE MYSTIC LANDSCAPE:

The Jumping Church

There is much about the monuments, the mythology and the memory of an ancient people living in the region around Newgrange that retains a mystic allure today. While much about the past has been unearthed by archaeologists and other professionals, research of the ancient stones, stories and landscape on an esoteric level has revealed the fantastic abilities of our ancestors, and how they were much more advanced than we commonly believe. Cunning engineers, surveyors, farmers and astronomers, they assembled a vast system of monuments and saw the landscape and countryside as something sacred which reflected the heavens above their heads - and they named many places accordingly. The High Man and the Mystic Landscape one-day tour will take you from Millmount, the burial place of the Milesian astronomer Amergin, to Mellifont, the "Well of Honey" which may have been considered a reflection of the Orion Nebula, to Monasterboice, where old stories tell of the hag goddess dropping stones to form monuments.

The High Man

Travel to Collon and the "Ferrard - High Man" hills and learn about the unique layout of the ancient Louth landscape, location of the High Man and the Plain of Muirthemne, the mysterious land once covered by the sea. Visit Ardee and see the place where the mighty warrior Cúchulainn battled for three days with his friend Ferdia (God Man) before taking in the magical "Jumping Church" at Kildemock. Hear about the nearby Garret's Fort, where the enchanted army awaits the final trumpet call to bring Ireland to glory at the end of time. The tour visits Slane, the centre of the "Cosmic Grid" and the place where St. Patrick attempted to replace paganism with Christianity while fantastic astronomical events were happening in the sky above his head. Visit either the magnificent megalithic remains on Carnbane East at Loughcrew, or go to the enormous Trim Castle, where scenes from the film Braveheart were shot. Finish the tour at the Hill of Tara, which is at the centre of a major astronomical alignment between the source and the estuary of the Boyne river.

Click here to view details and prices for the High Man and the Mystic Landscape tour

OTHER TOURS:

www.thehighmantours.com can facilitating an individual or a small group on special tailored tours and would be glad to bring you to any or all of the following places (certain factors permitting, of course!): Baltray, Millmount, Dowth, Newgrange, Knowth, Slane, Hill of Tara, Fourknocks, Loughcrew, Monasterboice, Mellifont, Ardee.

Click here to ask about putting together an alternative tour

We hope to give you an unforgettable experience in Ireland this year. You can be assured in the knowledge that Anthony Murphy, the webmaster of mythical Ireland.com  and the  www.thehighmantours.com and author of Island of the Setting Sun - In Search of Ireland's Ancient Astronomers, has put the tour itineraries together and most of the information contained in the tour agenda is derived from years of research and studying the stars, stones and stories.

Meet your guide: Click here to read about your driver and guide on the Mythical Ireland tours.