Meath

Meath holds the oldest built things in the country. Newgrange went up around 3200 BC, which puts it ahead of the pyramids, and Knowth carries the largest collection of megalithic art in western Europe. Tara, Trim and Loughcrew are all inside half an hour of Newgrange. Ten more places sit under the top ten.

Megalithic tomb · DonoreNewgrangeThe passage tomb went up around 3200 BC under a mound above the Boyne. You go in on a guided tour that leaves from the visitor centre.

Fort · NavanHill of TaraGrassed earthworks on a low ridge south of Navan, where the high kings were made. It is open ground and free to walk.

Castle · TrimTrim CastleIreland's largest Norman castle: a square keep inside a curtain wall on the bank of the Boyne.

1. KnowthMegalithic tomb · DonoreSmaller satellite tombs ring the mound at Knowth, which carries the biggest collection of megalithic art in western Europe.
2. SCSlane CastleCastle · SlaneSlane Castle stands above the Boyne, and the natural amphitheatre in its grounds gets used for concerts.
3. Loughcrew CairnsMegalithic tomb · OldcastlePassage tombs scattered across the hills west of Oldcastle, up a steep walk from the car park.
4. Hill of SlaneMonastic site · SlaneA ruined friary and a tower sit on the hilltop above the village, with most of the Boyne valley in the view.
5. Battle of the Boyne Visitor CentreMuseum · DroghedaThe restored house and walled garden at Oldbridge stand on the ground the 1690 battle was fought over.
6. DDowthMegalithic tomb · DroghedaThird of the great Boyne mounds, and this one is open ground you can walk around at any hour with no ticket.
7. Bective AbbeyAbbey · NavanThe Cistercian abbey beside the Boyne still has its cloister arcade and tower. You can walk straight into it.

1. Bettystown BeachBeach · BettystownThe beach is linked to the discovery of the Tara Brooch, an exquisite piece of ancient jewellery dating back to the 8th century, now housed in the National Museum of Ireland.
2. Irish Military Museum & ParkMuseum · Collon
3. Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre - Newgrange and KnowthMuseum · DonoreThe Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre is the access point for guided tours of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth-Ireland’s world-famous Neolithic monuments in County Meath.
4. Red Mountain Open FarmVisitor farm · DonoreJust two minutes from Newgrange Interpretive Centre in County Meath, Red Mountain Open Farm is made up of two adjoining working farms.
5. Duleek AbbeyAbbey or church · DuleekDuleek Abbey began life as a monastic settlement when, in 450 AD, Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, established a bishopric there.
6. Hamwood House and GardensCastle or historic house · DunboyneHamwood House and Gardens is one of the last remaining private houses still occupied by the family that built it.
7. Dardistown CastleCastle or historic house · JulianstownDardistown Castle was built in 1465 by John Cornwalsh with a British Government grant of £10.
8. Ardmulchan ChurchAbbey or church · KellsRuins of Ardmulchan Church and Graveyard date back to the late 12th Century.
9. Kells High CrossesAbbey or church · KellsThe High Crosses of Kells, County Meath, are fascinating symbols of the historic Boyne Valley and part of one of Ireland’s greatest monastic settlements.
10. Martry MillMuseum · KellsMartry Mill is a family run watermill maintaining a centuries old tradition on the River Blackwater near Kells, County Meath.
11. St Columba's ChurchAbbey or church · KellsSt Columba’s Church, Kells, County Meath, was built in 1778, but the land on which it stands is one of County Meath’s most important ecclesiastical sites.
12. Laytown BeachBeach · Laytown
13. Sonairte Visitor Eco-Centre and GardensGarden · LaytownSonairte Visitor Eco-Centre and Gardens is an interactive visitor centre promoting ecological awareness and sustainable living situated in Laytown, County Meath.
14. Kells Courthouse - Tourism and Cultural HubCastle or historic house · NavanVisit Kells Courthouse - Tourism and Cultural Hub in County Meath.
15. Kells Historic TrailAbbey or church · NavanKells Historic Town Walk is a self guided walk through the town of Kells, County Meath.
16. Solstice Arts CentreGallery · Navan
17. Townley Hall WoodsGarden · OldbridgeThe woods form part of 60 acres of rolling parklands surrounding the magnificent Georgian mansion of Townley Hall.
18. Loughcrew Historic GardensGarden · OldcastleLoughcrew is located near Oldcastle, County Meath, and offers 2.5 hectares of splendid gardens for visitors to explore.
19. Patrickstown Viewing PointLandscape · OldcastlePatrick's Hill forms part of the Loughcrew complex of Neolithic passage tombs.
20. The Poppy GardenGarden · OldcastleThe Poppy Garden is situated in Oldcastle, County Meath.
21. Skryne ChurchAbbey or church · SkreenA 15th Century church ruin, known locally as Skryne Tower, perches atop The Hill of Skryne.
22. Francis Ledwidge MuseumCastle or historic house · SlaneFrancis E Ledwidge (1887-1917) was an Irish war poet from Slane County Meath with over 200 published works.
23. Killary Monastic SiteAbbey or church · SlaneFound in County Meath, the early monastic site of Killary lies about 25 minutes northeast of Kells.
24. Knowth Passage TombsMuseum · SlaneKnowth Passage Tomb in County Meath was built over 5000 years ago, probably after the construction of Newgrange and before the construction of Dowth.
25. Newgrange Open Farm and Coffee ShopVisitor farm · SlaneNewgrange Farm and Coffee Shop in County Meath, is a 333 acre farm in the beautiful and historic Boyne Valley near some of Ireland's most famous ancient monuments.
26. Slane DistilleryMuseum · SlaneVisit Slane Distillery in an original 18th century stable block on the grounds of Slane Castle in Slane, County Meath.
27. The Old Bridge, TrimCastle or historic house · TrimThe Old Bridge over the River Boyne in Trim, County Meath, has been, and continues to be a working bridge since 1393.
28. Wellington MemorialCastle or historic house · TrimThe Wellington Memorial stands on a 23m high Corinthian style column in the heritage town of Trim, County Meath, and was erected in 1817 to honour the Duke of Wellington.
29. Causey FarmVisitor farm · MeathCausey Farm in Fordstown, County Meath, is a gem of old fashioned Irish hospitality.
30. Donaghpatrick ChurchAbbey or church · MeathSaint Patrick’s Church was built in 1896, designed by J.F.
31. Dunmoe CastleAncient site · MeathThe ruins of Dunmoe Castle are situated overlooking the River Boyne in County Meath, between Navan and Slane.
32. Larchill Arcadian GardensCastle or historic house · MeathFound just 40 minutes from Dublin in Kilcock, County Kildare, Larchill Arcadian Gardens is a unique 18th century garden.
33. Tara Open StudioGallery · MeathTara Open Studio, in County Meath, is the home and art studio of sacred artist Courtney Davis.

• LouthLú
• MonaghanMuineachán
• CavanAn Cabhán
• WestmeathAn Iarmhí
• OffalyUíbh Fhailí
• KildareCill Dara
• DublinBaile Átha Cliath