Although Bovinda Cottage is on Co Meath's small but beautiful shoreline, it is centre to so much beauty, history, legends and things to do...
TOP TIP!!!
If you plan on visiting historical and cultural places around Louth, Meath - Ireland...Buying an OPW card is worth consideration!
This card can be purchase at any OPW (Office of Public Works site) €90 Family €40 Adult €30 Seniors €10 child/student - and then gives free access to around 50 heritage site nationwide)
OPW Sites near Bovinda Cottage
Guidebook - Bovinda Cottage, Bettystown, Co Meath
NEWGRANGE
Newgrange needs little introduction. It is one of Ireland's most famous megalithic sites. It is located in Donore County Meath, north of Dublin. (20 minutes from Bovinda Cottage)
It is a tumulus of 85 meters in diameter, inside which the burial chamber is reached by a long covered passage. It is part of a set of prehistoric sites called Brú na Bóinne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is one of the most imposing prehistoric sites in Europe along with Stonehenge in England. Newgrange was built around 3200 BC, nearly 600 years before the Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt, and nearly 1,000 years before Stonehenge, England.
Don't forget to check out Knowth & Dowth two other megalithic sites while you're there!
(The OPW card doesn't cover all access to Newgrange)
MONASTERBOICE
The Monasterboice (Irish: Mainistir Bhuithe) ruins are the remains of an early Christian monastic settlement in County Louth in Ireland, north of Drogheda. The ruins are a National monument of Ireland and also give their name to the local village.
The monastic settlement was founded in the late 5th century by Saint Buithe (or Buite) who died around 521.[3]
Poet and historian Flann Mainistrech, Flann of Monasterboice, was lector here.[4]
Little is known about the monastery except for a list of abbots (759-1122). It fell into ruin after the establishment of the Cistercian Mellifont Abbey nearby in 1142.[3]
A parochial church was in use at the location by the 13th century.
The property is owned by the National Monuments Service and is accessible to the public.[1]
Burials in the graveyard around the ruins continue in the present day.
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Eating Out Tip! If steak, scampi and overall great wholesome food in very comfortable surroundings is your thing - check out The Monasterboice Inn
OLDBRIDGE HOUSE - BATTLE OF THE BOYNE
The Battle of the Boyne was a battle in 1690 between the forces of the deposed King James II of England and Ireland, VII of Scotland, and those of King William III who, with his wife Queen Mary II (his cousin and James's daughter), had acceded to the Crowns of England and Scotland[b] in 1689. The battle took place across the River Boyne close to the town of Drogheda in the Kingdom of Ireland, modern-day Republic of Ireland, and resulted in a victory for William. This turned the tide in James's failed attempt to regain the British crown and ultimately aided in ensuring the continued Protestant ascendancy in Ireland.
OLDBRIDGE HOUSE a restored eighteenth-century house on the battleground itself, now presents the Battle of the Boyne visitor centre (about 20 minute drive from Bovinda Cottage) is home to a great visitors centre (walks and coffee shop). The centre contains original weapons and a laser model of the battlefield. It is a treasure trove for anyone who wants to find out more about this pivotal episode in Irish and European history.
HIGH LANES ART GALLERY - DROGHEDA
Highlanes Gallery is a state-of-the-art facility housed within the former Drogheda Franciscan Church. The bright and open spaces present multiple exhibitions every year drawing upon artists renowned both nationally and internationally, as well as the magnificent Drogheda Municipal Art Collection.
Bellewstown is a sharp left-handed oval of 9 furlongs with a run-in of 3 furlongs and an uphill finish. .There are 5 hurdles on the circuit.
Bellewstown Races - More Details.....
Bellewstown Racing Fixtures
- Thu, 30th June, 2022 (e)
- Fri, 1st July, 2022 (e)
- Sat, 2nd July, 2022 (e)
- Tue, 23rd August, 2022 (e)
- Wed, 24th August, 2022 (e)
- Wed, 28th September, 2022
- Thu, 29th September, 2022
About Laytown Races
The Laytown Races occupy a unique position in the Irish racing calendar, as Ireland’s only horse racing event run on a beach under the Rules of Racing.
The Flat racing event takes place once a year, every September, on the County Meath strand, on a straight, almost level course. Races are confined to six and seven furlong distances.
Next Race - 8th September 2022
Fairyhouse Races
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From Shopping - Eating Out - Hikes - Things for Kids (including BIG Kids!), check out our Guidebook - Bovinda Cottage, Bettystown, Co Meath from Airbnb