Ireland: All about County Meath Quiz

Answer: Blackwater and Boyne

A tributary of the River Boyne, the River Blackwater flows through both County Meath and County Cavan, emptying into the Irish Sea at the city of Drogheda, County Louth.

As well as County Meath, the River Boyne courses through County Offaly, County Kildare and County Louth. It is around 70 miles (110 km) long.

Navan's name has often confused historians, with suggestions varying as to how it was named. It is said it perhaps is derived from the Irish "nuachongbhail," that is, "new habitation." Navan is known for being the birthplace of Sir Francis Beaufort (1774-1857), who invented the Beaufort Scale (which measures the speed of wind). This scale was successful enough to be implemented by the Royal Navy in 1838.

Actor Piers Brosnan lived in Navan during his youth, and although he was not born there, he considers it his home town.

Answer: Slieve na Calliagh

The hills of Slieve na Calliagh ("the Hag's Mountain") have a summit that is just over 905 feet (275 m) high. The hills feature around 20 known tombs and there are also examples of cave art. The hills are named for a hag of Irish mythology, Cailleach, who is associated with the construction of landscapes, and storms of winter.

Answer: 7

County Dublin lies southeast of County Meath. County Offaly lies southwest of County Meath. County Kildare lies south of County Meath. County Monaghan lies north of County Meath. County Cavan lies northwest of County Meath. County Westmeath lies west of County Meath. County Louth lies northeast of County Meath.

Answer: Bective Abbey

Located in the hamlet of Bective on the River Boyle, County Meath, Bective Abbey is a national monument of Ireland, established in 1147 by Murchad Ua Máel Sechnaill, the King of Meath. However, the surviving remnants of the abbey are from the 15th century. The abbey was given to the Cistercian Order.

Compared to other buildings obtained by the Cistercian Order which were located in isolated and uncultivated regions, Bective Abbey is situated in a prominently agricultural area, and the Cistercians became wealthy from their activities in the area.

As well as "Braveheart," Bective Abbey has been used in Hollywood films such as Douglas Sirk's 1955 film, "Captain Lightfoot" featuring Rock Hudson, and Ridley Scott's 2020 film "Last Duel."

Answer: Newgrange

Constructed by farmers during the Stone Age, Newgrange is around 280 feet (85 m) wide and around 45 feet (13 m) high. The total area covers around an acre. Just under 100 stones (kerbstones) featuring megalithic artwork surround Newgrange, with the most prominent being the entrance stone. Newgrange was constructed around 3,200 BC. It has been suggested Newgrange was originally built to be a temple, or a place where religious ceremonies could be officiated.

Passages and chambers within Newgrange have been specifically laid out so that the sunlight illuminates them during the Winter Solstice. Newgrange is around 500 years older than Egypt's Great Pyramids of Giza.

Answer: Emerald Park

Formerly known as "Tayto Park" until 2023, what is now called Emerald Park opened in Ashbourne, County Meath, in 2010. The park covers around 55 acres (22 ha) and its name was changed when Tayto Snacks (whose factory is close by the park) declared that they would not be carrying on their sponsorship.

Emerald Park has not been without controversy. In 2012, upon descending a 60 foot long slide, a woman broke her ankle and the park was forced to financially compensate her, settled out of court. In 2016, nine people were injured when the staircase of the park's aptly named "House of Horrors" collapsed. There were thankfully no deaths or serious injuries.

Answer: Laytown

Located on the Irish Sea, the village of Laytown is an area that has been occupied by human inhabitants from around at least 6 AD. It has since developed into a commuter town for those who are travelling to Dublin.

The Tara Brooch is a penannular brooch consisting of silver, gold and bronze. It is estimated to have been made around the 7th or 8th centuries and was purportedly found in a box on the beach at Bettystown, near Laytown, in 1850. The claims of the peasant woman's son who found the brooch is dubious, as it is suspected that the brooch was claimed to have been found on the beach as opposed to private land so that the landowner would have no legal case to claim it. However, excavations of the beach in more recent years have proved that the area is home to burial grounds, so the story of how the Tara Brooch was found could be accurate. It has been speculated that the brooch was buried on the beach in order to hide it from Viking raiders.

Answer: Kilskeer

Kilskeer is a small village located around 5 miles (10 km) southwest of the town of Kells, County Meath. Jim Connell, who authored the socialist poem "The Red Flag" was born very close to Kilskeer in neighbouring small town, Rathniska.

Brian O'Higgins (1882-1963) was a founder of Irish nationalist organisation, the Irish Volunteers. He faced many arrests (and elections as President of Sinn Féin throughout the 1930s) in his quest for Irish independence. He is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin.

Answer: Slane Castle

Located in the Boyne Valley (near where the Battle of the Boyne happened), Slane Castle as it stands today was reconstructed around 1785 under the orders of William Burton Conyngham and his nephew, the first Marquess Conyngham. Francis Johnston, one of Ireland's most well-known architects, was responsible for Gothic elements of the castle gates.

Slane Castle has been the site of many concerts in modern times. Bands such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Gun n' Roses, Thin Lizzy, REM, Bob Dylan, Queen and David Bowie have all performed here.

Slane Castle was bought in 1703 by the Conyngham family, a family originally from Scotland who had settled in Ireland. Tragedy struck Slane Castle in 1991 when a fire destroyed around a third of the castle; it took ten years to rebuild.

Answer: Arkle

The unveiling of Arkle's statue in 2014 coincided with the anniversary of when Arkle won the 1964 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Arkle was owned by Anne, Duchess of Westminster. The statue of Arkle was made by Emma McDermott.

Ashbourne is located just over 10 miles (20 km) away from Dublin, and is a commuter town to the city.