Navan

History of Navan

The burgeoning town of Navan lies at the confluence of the rivers Boyne and Blackwater. It is the county town, or administrative capital, of Co. Meath. The name Navan has long confused etymologists. It is thought that it may take its name from the Irish An Uaimh, meaning ‘the cave' or perhaps from Nuachongbhail, meaning ‘new habitation'. Navan was accredited Purple Flag in 2015 promoting a well managed vibrant town with an impressive nighttime economy.

(Nobber mediveal church ruin and modern Church of Ireland church, now George Eogan Cultural and Heritage Centre: Photo, Henry Cruise)

Nobber: from the prehsitoric to the present day

The town of Nobber and its surrounds is an ancient settlement that can trace its roots back to Mesolithic Ireland, c.6,000 BC. The name Nobber come from the Irish word “an Obair” ('the work'), which refers to the Norman motte at the north end of the village.

There was an ancient games played at modern day Teltown that predate the Olympics in Greece. The games held every year brought people from all over Ireland to compete over the course of three days. Mythology says that the games originated as a tribute to Taillte, the former wife of a slain Fir Bolg King. She remarried to a Tuatha Dé Danann. She became foster mother to Lugh. She chose her burial site at Teltown and requested that the trees be cleared to make space for her funeral games. Lugh honoured his mother with the inaugural Táilteann games when she died on the first of August.

While in Spain, éremón (son of Míl Espáine) married Odhbha, who bore him three sons. After a time he abandoned her in favour of a Dé Danann woman (Tea, who would later give her name to Tara). When éremón invaded Ireland his wife Odhbha followed him. Stricken by the grief of her husband's rejection she died soon after arriving. Her three children raised a mound in which to bury her. It is thought that Navan may take its name from the Irish word for cave (An Uaimh) – the cave within the mound in which Odhbha's remains have rested for the past three thousand years.