Free Guide - Discover Ireland

“So memorable in
ancient history,
and so rich in
monuments of the
past is it … that the
history of Ireland
might be written in
tracing its banks.”
William Wilde,
The Beauties of
the Boyne (1849)
of continuous human settlement along
the banks of the Boyne – stretching
back over five millennia. So why did
prehistoric people settle and thrive
along the banks of this river? The
answer lies in the landscape and climate
of the region.
The richness of the soil in the lands
bordering and drained by the Boyne
was ideal for Neolithic farmers (who
began to arrive in Ireland around
4,000 BC). Moreover, the east coast of
Ireland, between Dublin and Drogheda,
is the driest part of the country and
ideally suited to growing crops. The
river was valuable as a source of food
and, long before roads, its waters were
vital for travel and trade. The River
Boyne, which derives its name from the
legendary Celtic goddess Bóann (see
Myths & Legends, p. 38), has long been
recognised as one of Ireland’s most
important waterways.
In the 2nd century AD the Greek
geographer, Claudius Ptolemy recorded
the outline of the island of Ireland in the
form of a set of coordinates showing
different geographical features such
as headlands and rivers. He included
on this map, in his own language, the
names of several Irish tribes, cities and
rivers, including ‘Bouvinda’ – the Boyne.
FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.DISCOVERIRELAND.IE/BOYNEVALLEY 5