Historic Sites | Discover Boyne Valley

Historic Sites

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.

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.

Free access.

53.5843
-6.5629

Kells Town & Monastic Sites

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

(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.

+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

+ 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.

+353 (0) 41 988 4477
info@slanecastle.ie

Slane Castle,

Slane,

Co. Meath.

C15 XP83

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

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.

+353 41 9872843
droghedatouristoffice@gmail.com

Laurence Street,

Drogheda

Co. Louth

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 10th 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)

+353 (0) 46 9247508
kellscourthouse@discoverboynevalley.ie

Church Lane,

Kells,

Co. Meath

53.72828251706032
-6.880749624539207

St. Peter`s Church Drogheda

St. Peter's Church Is among the finest Gothic Revival Churches in Ireland and is famous for housing the shrine of St. Oliver Plunkett. The first church on this site was constructed in 1791, and the present one - built in the 1880's - incorporates elements of the earlier structure. The imposing façade is built of local limestone. The lavish interior includes a special chapel which houses the preserved head of St. Oliver Plunkett (1625 – 81), the last Catholic martyr to die in England.

+353 (0)41 9872843
droghedatouristoffice@gmail.com

St Peter's Roman Catholic Church,

West Street,

Drogheda,

Co. Louth,

A92 A068.

View location on Google Maps here 

Rail

Drogheda is serviced by both Intercity (Dublin/ Belfast) and Suburban trains (Dublin/Drogheda/ Dundalk) with trains departing approximately every half hour from 07:30 - 23:20 daily.

For more info see www.irishrail.ie or call +353 (0) 41 9838749.

Bus

Drogheda is serviced by both Intercity (Dublin/Dundalk/ Belfast) and Suburban bus services (Dublin/ Drogheda/ Dundalk),in addition to other national routes, with buses departing from 07:15 - 00:00 daily.

For more info visit www.buseireann.ie or call +353(0) 41 9835023.

By Car

From the North Take the M1 south to Drogheda and exit at the N52 / Drogheda off-ramp (immediately before the M1 Boyne bridge) and follow the signs for town centre.

From the south: take the M1 north to Drogheda and exit at the N52 / Drogheda off-ramp (immediately after the M1 Boyne bridge) and follow the signs for town centre.

From the west: take the N52 via Navan / Slane, cross over the M1 (with the M1 Boyne bridge to the south) and follow the signs for town centre.

Once in the town Turn on to West Street (adjacent to the Bridge of Peace)

For up-to-date opening hours and Mass times see www.saintpetersdrogheda.ie

https://www.facebook.com/StPetersParishDrogheda
53.7149
-6.35242

The Tomb of the Jealous Man & Woman

In the cemetery of St. Peter and Paul`s Cathedral you will discover an impressive altar tomb dating from around 1592. The tomb known locally as “the Jealous man and Woman” is the resting place of Sir Lucas Dillon and his wife Lady Jane Bathe.

Newtown, Trim, Co. Meath

From Trim:

Head south on Castle Street. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto R154 to Dublin /Clonee. Take the first left about 1.5km down the road. Going across the bridge go left when you pass Marcie Regan's pub. Destination will be on the left.

From Navan:

Head east on Kells Road towards Dublin. Turn right onto Circular Road. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Railway Street. Continue onto R161 until you arrive in Trim. Turn left onto R154. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto R154 to Dublin /Clonee. Take the first left about 1.5km down the road. Going across the bridge go left when you pass Marcie Regan's pub. Destination will be on the left. Via M1 Motorway or Drogheda: Take the M1 (this road is tolled) coming from Belfast. At junction 10, take the N51 exit to Drogheda (North)/Navan/Collon. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto N51 for Slane. Continue on the N51 to Navan. Turn left onto Kells Road heading towards Dublin. Turn right onto Circular Road. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Railway Street. Continue onto R161 until you arrive in Trim. Turn left onto R154. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto R154 to Dublin /Clonee. Take the first left about 1.5km down the road. Going across the bridge go left when you pass Marcie Regan's pub. Destination will be on the left.

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 1st exit onto R125. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit ontoR125/R154. Continue to follow R154 until you reach the outskirts of Trim. Take the last right before the roundabout. Going across the bridge go left when you pass Marcie Regan's pub. Destination will be on the left.

53.55578544903598
-6.771338647932288