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Navan Situated in the heart of the Boyne Valley, Navan is an ideal base from which to explore the nearby attractions of Brú ná Bóinne, the Hill of Tara, and the historic towns of Kells and Trim 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 lies at the confluence of the rivers Boyne and Blackwater which has long been a site of strategic importance. A burial site close to where the two rivers meet has been identified as Dún Dubchomair, where a Viking fleet is reputed to have landed. The Anglo-Normans also recognised the importance of this location and around 1185 Joselyn de Angulo converted a nearby glacial mound into a motte and bailey castle. Legend tells that this mound was the burial site of Odhbha, the wife of Éremón, a Milesian invader from Spain (see Myths & Legends, p. 38). In the later medieval period Navan was a walled town and, like Trim, was an outpost of The Pale. 36 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.DISCOVERIRELAND.IE/BOYNEVALLEY The ruins of Athlumney Castle facing Navan across the Boyne are located a short distance from the town. It consists of two distinct buildings; an original tower house built in the 15th century and a Tudor mansion built around 1600. The house was burned by the Maguire’s in 1649 rather than allow Oliver Cromwell shelter within its walls. Navan is famous for being the birthplace of Francis Beaufort (1774 - 1857), who developed the Beaufort Scale of wind force. In 1805 Commander (later Admiral) Beaufort published a method of measuring the wind at sea based on the sails a frigate
Solstice Arts Centre could safely hoist. The Beaufort Scale, as it came to be known, was adopted by the Royal Navy in 1838 when it became mandatory for all ship’s log entries. The 13-point scale ranges from 0 (calm) to 12 (hurricane); with this scale also came descriptions of the state of the sea. From this standard, sailors were able to predict how ships would react in certain wind speeds. Navan is also the childhood home of Pierce Brosnan, the fifth actor to play the acclaimed role as James Bond. Comedians Dylan Moran and Tommy Tiernan, and television personality Hector Ó hEochagáin also hail from the town. Navan, offers a variety of quality accommodation, restaurants and bars, and is an ideal base for touring the Boyne Valley. There are enjoyable walks around the town, particularly along the Boyne River and canal at the Ramparts. Did you know … Navan is the only palindromic place in the Republic of <strong>Ireland</strong>, meaning that its name is spelled the same from left to right, or right to left. Europe’s longest palindromic placename is Assamassa, Portugal and the shortest is Ee, Netherlands (Holland). Contact Details: Solstice Arts Centre & Tourist Information Point Railway St, Navan, Co. Meath T: + 353 (0) 46 909 2300 E: info@solsticeartscentre.ie FOR OPENING TIMES AND ADMISSION DETAILS PLEASE SEE PULL OUT INSERT AT THE BACK 37
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Page 3 and 4: ogheda) 4 1 6 5 2 Dunleer 2 1 16 3
Page 5 and 6: Discover Ireland’s rich heritage!
Page 7 and 8: “So memorable in ancient history,
Page 9 and 10: Bronze Age 2200 - 600 BC Industrial
Page 11 and 12: more recently with canvas. It was a
Page 13 and 14: The imposing façade of St. Peters
Page 15 and 16: Did you know … The current owner
Page 17 and 18: William’s army (called Williamite
Page 19 and 20: * An Artist Impression, as it might
Page 21 and 22: Christianity was introduced into Ir
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Page 29 and 30: * An Artist Impression, as it might
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Page 48 and 49: Getting to the Boyne Valley is very
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Page 52 and 53: Your Road Map See detailed touring
Page 54: Notes For further information pleas

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