Meath

Co. Meath lies on the east coast in the province of Leinster, just north of Dublin. It was named ‘The Royal County’ during the English plantation in the Middle Ages, where many English people loyal to the Crown settled. Navan is the county town, although the circuit court still sits in the former county town of Trim.

Meath Pastureland

Photo showing the rich, green pastureland of Co. Meath.

By permission of Meath Leader.

Meath Pastureland
By permission of Meath Leader.

Meath Pastureland

Photo showing the rich, green pastureland of Co. Meath.

By permission of Meath Leader.

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Meath features prominently in Irish history. The old High Kings of Ireland once held their seat at the famous Hill of Tara, and the largest Norman castle in Ireland is located at Trim. The importance of the area around Kells as an early monastic site is also evident from its high cross and round tower, as well as the discovery of the Book of Kells which is now housed in the Old Library in Trinity College. Of course, the prehistoric tomb at Newgrange attracts thousands of visitors each year. Dated to about 3,100 BC, it is older than the Great Pyramids of Giza.

The land of Co. Meath is well known to be some of the most fertile land in the country and much of it is used for agricultural production. Meath once had a very successful tobacco growing industry.