Historic Sites

Beaulieu House & Gardens

Beaulieu House is a 17th Century house and gardens.It is one of the first unfortified houses built in Ireland and designed around an old Plunkett property by Sir Henry Tichbourne, who was granted a Patent to the lands in 1666, by Charles II.

Situated on the north bank of the river Boyne between Drogheda and the Irish Sea, the estate was originally owned by the ‘St. Oliver' branch of the Plunkett family and was the Army in Ireland and Governor General of Drogheda at the time of the Restoration of Charles II.

Beaulieu House And Gardens Featured Image

Boyne Valley Drive Sites

Historic Sites

Drogheda

+353 (0)41 9845051

beaulieu.house.garden@gmail.com

Beaulieu House, Gardens & Car Museum,Drogheda,Co Louth

View location on Google Maps

For opening times, please visit http://beaulieuhouse.ie/

http://www.beaulieuhouse.ie

https://www.facebook.com/BeaulieuIreland

Please see website for bookings and prices

53.7277

-6.29525

Donaghmore Round Tower & Cemetery

Saint Patrick is said to have first founded a monastery here, giving charge of it to one of his followers, St. Cassanus. The existing ruins, however, do not date back that far. The architectural style of the church indicates it was built in the 15th Century. Most likely, it replaced an older church built in the Romanesque style; a carved Romanesque head is incorporated in the south wall of the bell tower. The round tower predates the church and was built in the 9th or 10th century. It is well-preserved though missing its conical cap.

Boyne Valley Drive Sites

Historic Sites

Donaghmore

Navan

Slane Road,Navan

View location on Google Maps here

From Dublin take the M3 motor way(this road is tolled), leaving at Exit 8 or N3 to Navan, on continue through Navan and take a right just beyond the turn for Kentstown, you will see a sign N 51 Kingscourt /Drogheda, go up Flower Hill and keep right round the roundabout at the Round O public house. The cemetery is about a mile on the left-hand side of the Slane road, you will see a sign with a P (Park) & + Cross, turn left here and a few yards up this road you will see a Round Tower and gate leading to the cemetary.

Via M1 Motorway or Drogheda: From the M1 (this road is tolled) coming from Belfast, take the exit for junction 10, take the N51 exit to Slane/Drogheda North. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto N51 headed for Slane. If coming from Drogheda take the N51 headed towards Slane also. Continue on the N51 through slane towards Navan after approx 9kms there should be signage for Donaghmore Round Tower & cemetary

Free

53.6707

-6.66245

Donaghpatrick Church

Saint Patrick`s Church was built in 1896, designed by J.F. Fuller, an authority on the Hiberno-Romanesque style

In 1862 the London-trained Fuller had answered an advertisement for a district architect under the Irish Ecclesiastical Commissioners; he was chosen from among 97 candidates: St. Patrick`s is one of his finest creations.

Donaghpatrick Church and site

Boyne Valley Drive Sites

Donaghpatrick,Teltown,Co. Meath

View location on Google Maps here

From Dublin take the M3 motor way (this road is tolled), leaving at Exit 9 At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto N51, Go through 2 roundabouts, At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Kells Road/R147. Continue to follow R147, (6km) Turn right toward Windtown Road, Turn left onto Windtown Road, Donaghpatrick, Co. Meath

Via M1 Motorway or Drogheda: From the M1 (this road is tolled) coming from Belfast, take the exit for junction 10, take the N51 exit to Slane/Drogheda North. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto N51 headed for Slane. Coming from Drogheda take the N51 headed towards Slane also. Continue on the N51 through Slane. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto N51, Go through 1 roundabout, (13km) Turn right onto Ratholdren Road, Continue onto Windtown Road for 3km and then you reach Donaghpatrick.

Free

53.6964

-6.76

Hill of Skryne

Skryne, or Skreen as it is officially known, is a small village situated on and around a hill. The hill is a short distance east of the Hill of Tara and the area is sometimes referred to as the Tara/Skryne Valley. One can enjoy wonderful views of each hill from the summit of the other. In the 12th century, Hugh de Lacy granted the Barony of Skryne to his finest knight, Adam de Feipo. He subdivided it and granted twenty of his followers with land grants.

Boyne Valley Drive Sites

Historic Sites

Skryne

Navan

Hill of Skryne,

Skryne,

Co. Meath

Eircode (O'Connell's Pub): C15 EY76

View location on Google Maps here

From Navan:

Get on the R147 heading towards Dublin. Continue on this road (through three roundabouts) for about 11Km. Take a left at Ross Cross for Skryne. Continue on the Old Ross Road until you come to the next crossroads. Take a left for The Green at Swans Pub and then take the first left after you turn. Arrive at the Hill of Skryne. From Trim: Take the R154 headed towards Dublin/Clonee. After 10Km turn left toward Knightsfield Park. Continue straight onto Knightsfield Park. Continue onto Old Ross Road. Turn left onto R147 and then take the immediate right for Skryne onto Old Ross Road. Continue on the Old Ross Road until you come to the next crossroads. Take a left for The Green at Swans Pub and then take the first left after you turn. Arrive at the Hill of Skryne.

Via M1 Motorway or Drogheda:

Take the M1 (this road is tolled) coming from Belfast. At junction 7, take the R132 exit to Julianstown/Balbriggan (North). At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto R132. Turn left onto R150. Turn right onto R150/R152. Take the 1st left onto R150. Turn left onto N2. Turn right onto R153. Turn left for the road towards Trim. Continue on this road until you reach Skryne. Take a right for The Green at Swans Pub and then take the first left after you turn. Arrive at the Hill of Skryne.

From Dublin:

Take the M3 (this road is tolled) headed for Cavan. At junction 6, take the R125 exit to Dunshaughlin/Trim. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto R125. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit and stay on R125. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto R147. At Ross Cross turn right for Skryne onto Old Ross Road. Continue on the Old Ross Road until you come to the next crossroads. Take a left for The Green at Swans Pub and then take the first left after you turn. Arrive at the Hill of Skryne.

Free access.

53.5843

-6.5629

Kells Town & Monastic Sites

The heritage town of Kells contains many fine examples of early medieval Christian architecture.

Boyne Valley Drive Sites

Historic Sites

Towns

Kells

(046) 924 7508

For tourist information, brochures and more see:
Kells Courthouse Tourism and Cultural Hub
Headfort Rd Kells, Co. Meath A82
RY62
(located opposite the Market Cross as one enters Kells from the Navan or Slane road)

View location on Google Maps here

From Dublin take the M3 motorway, Exit 10 for Kells South, alternatively take the N3 North through Navan, follow the main road till you enter Kells town.

Via M1 Motorway or Drogheda: From the M1 (this road is tolled) coming from Belfast, take the exit for junction 10, take the N51 exit to Slane/Drogheda North. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto N51 headed for Slane. If coming from Drogheda take the N51 headed towards Slane also. Head west on Main Street/N51 toward Churchlands, Continue to follow N51, Turn right onto R163, Turn left to stay on R163, Turn right onto R162, Take the 1st left onto R163. You are entering Kells Town

https://www.facebook.com/discoverkells

53.72730187148076

-6.879900768134526

Monasterboice High Crosses and Monastic Site

The historic ruins of Monasterboice (Irish: Mainistir Bhuithe) are of an early Christian settlement in County Louth in Ireland, north of Drogheda. It was founded in the late 5th century by Saint Buithe who died around 521, and was an important centre of religion and learning until the founding of nearby Mellifont Abbey in 1142.

The site houses two churches built in the 14th century or later and an earlier round tower, but it is most famous for its 10th century high crosses.

Boyne Valley Drive Sites

Historic Sites

Monasterboice

Drogheda

+353 41 9872843

Monasterboice

Collon

Louth

View location on Google Maps here

Just west of and clearly visible from the M1 motorway, just north of Drogheda. 5km from Tullyallen, 8km from Drogheda

Access : Sited across a minor road from the carpark. Level but gravel-covered paths around the well-kept site.

Open All Year

No Admission Fee.

53.7776

-6.41759

Newtown Trim Monuments

The Newtown Monuments consist of a large medieval cathedral, two monasteries and small church which mostly date from the early 13th century. They are situated just downriver from the town of Trim, separated by the medieval open field system known as the Porchfields.

St Peter & St Paul Cathedral and Victorine Priory

Boyne Valley Drive Sites

Historic Sites

Trim

+ 353(0)469437227

trimvisitorcentre@discoverboynevalley.ie

Newtown,

Trim,

Co. Meath

View your location on Google Maps here

From M1 Motorway

At junction 10, take the N51 exit.

Continue onto R161 & continue onto Trim

From Navan

Take the 1st exit onto Railway Street & continue onto R161 & continue onto Trim

From Drogheda

At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto N51 Continue onto R161 & & continue onto Trim

From Dublin M3

Continue onto Navan Road/N3, take exit onto R156

Merge onto M3, At junction 6, take the R125 exit

Continue to follow R154 towards Trim.

Newtown Trim is located on the north side of the road about two kilometres before Trim.

Free entry. Please respect Newtown as it is still in use as a burial ground. Dogs must be kept on leads.

53.55571755550373

-6.772506654180335

Slane Castle

Overlooking the River Boyne, just a few kilometres upstream from Newgrange and the site of the famous Battle of the Boyne, Slane Castle in its existing form was constructed under the direction of William Burton Conyngham, together with his nephew the 1st Marquess Conyngham. The reconstruction dates back to 1785 and is principally the work of James Gandon, James Wyatt and Francis Johnston. Francis Johnston was also the architect responsible for the gothic gates on the Mill Hill, located to the east of the castle.

Boyne Valley Drive Sites

Historic Sites

Slane

+353 (0) 41 988 4477

info@slanecastle.ie

Slane Castle,

Slane,

Co. Meath.

C15 XP83

View location on Google Maps here

See www.slanecastle.ie for up-to-date opening hours.

www.slanecastle.ie

https://www.facebook.com/officialslanecastle

See www.slanecastle.ie for up-to-date admission costs.

53.7098

-6.56143

St Laurence's Gate & Drogheda Walls

Drogheda's name derives from the Irish Droichead Átha meaning 'bridge of the ford' which refers to the River Boyne on which it stands. Drogheda was granted its charter in 1194 by Hugh de Lacy (after whom the de Lacy bridge in Drogheda is named).

The Anglo-Normans made Drogheda one of their primary strongholds, completing the town walls in 1334. The walled area of the mediaeval Drogheda enclosed 113 acres, making it one of the largest walled towns of the time.

Boyne Valley Drive Sites

Historic Sites

Drogheda

+353 41 9872843

droghedatouristoffice@gmail.com

Laurence Street,

Drogheda

Co. Louth

View location on Google Maps here

https://www.drogheda.ie/explore-and-do/explore/castles-and-conquests/drogheda-w…

The gate may be viwed free of charge at the end of St Laurance Street, right in the centre of Drogheda. There is no entry to the gate structure.

53.7159321303655

-6.346976752879503

St. Colmcille's House

St Colmcille's House probably dates from the early 9th century and is characteristic of an oratory from that period. Access to the monks' sleeping accommodation aloft is by a (modern) ladder. The Oratory is kept locked.

St. Colmcille's House is open for visitors upon request (please contact the Kells Courthouse Tourism and Cultural Hub beforehand to arrange a visit, and give 24hrs notice)

Boyne Valley Drive Sites

Historic Sites

Kells

+353 (0) 46 9247508

kellscourthouse@discoverboynevalley.ie

Church Lane,

Kells,

Co. Meath

View location on Google Maps here

53.72828251706032

-6.880749624539207

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