Navan

The town land of Ardmulchan hugs one of the most beautiful bends on the River Boyne between Navan and Slane. For the most part the area was retained by Hugh de Lacy until sometime at the end of the 12th century. This was at a time when defense of the Boyne was vital to the establishment of the Norman colony in Meath. A substantial motte was built, along with a church and several chapels rebuilt on pre Norman foundations. The church tower may be as early as 13th or 14th century. The present ruins of the church seem to be 15th century.

Athlumney overlooks a key strategic point, where the Leinster Blackwater drains into the Boyne. The placename derives from the Irish for "Loman's ford", referring to Lommán of Trim. Archaeological digs uncovered an Early Christian souterrain.

The motte at Athlumney (which preceded the existing castle) was built in the years after 1172 when Hugh de Lacy, Lord of Meath granted the title of Baron Skryne to his ally Adam de Feypo; he in turn granted Athlumney to a relative Amauri de Feipo, who built the motte.

Bective Abbey was founded in 1147 for the Cistercian Order by Murchad O'Maeil- Sheachlainn, King of Meath. It was Ireland's second Cistercian Abbey; a daughter house to Mellifont Abbey in Louth. The Cistercians had been founded to recapture the original simplicity of monastic life; this was reflected in their restrained buildings.

Welcome to ‘Points of Pride’ a walking tour of Navan designed to showcase the best of Navan’s heritage, with reference to the town’s rich historical past and more recent developments. It is a celebration of the people, the architecture and the culture of Navan.

Navan Points of Pride town walk starts at the Solstice Arts Centre and is 4km long. Collect your brochure at the Solstice and enjoy the walk!

At a leisurely pace it can be completed in approximately 2 hours and profiles the following points:

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.

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.