So, last week we got away for an early Valentine’s night away to the “Royal County” of Co. Meath, just down the road from, Dublin. It was our first night away with Benji, Charlie’s little doggy. So, we were delighted to find that Bellinter House Hotel near Navan is dog-friendly. We had been advised that Benji could stay with us in a Courtyard Room. These rooms are converted stables which are ideal for doggies as they open straight onto the outside. Benji was also allowed into the reception, bar and study (for dining). Getting out of the car, Charlie dropped Benji's lead and the latter took off up across the beautiful grounds like a bat out of hell. Charlie took after him but Benji thought it was a chase and thought it was great fun. He came running back when he lost Charlie out of view...and did a big poo just outside the front door which Charlie stood back into! All this before we had even checked in!!! So I thought "OMG what is this going to be like?" But he was as good as gold after that...Benji wasn’t bad either!! 🤣 Set in the beautiful County Meath countryside, Bellinter House is a gorgeous Georgian house which stands on the banks of the River Boyne. Navan is just a 5-minute drive from the hotel and Dublin is 25 miles way. It offers luxurious rooms, The Bathhouse Spa and great food. Our bathroom had Rituals toiletries and had a deep bath with power shower (not ideal for anyone with poor mobility though like me). The room had a Nespresso machine, plenty of tea/coffee, a wide screen TV and free WIFI. When we arrived earlier than planned, our room wasn’t yet ready which was fair enough so we thought we could perhaps watch the rugby 6 Nations on TV. However, there aren’t any TVs in the common areas so we settled for a cup of tea in the study and a walk outside with Benji. On our return, we were shown to our room by a very pleasant lady who helped with my bag down the many steps at the front of the hotel from reception. And so we got the second half of the match. All of the staff were super helpful and fussed over Benji which he loved. Above: Views from our walk outsideOur room came with an extra-large bed and a single bed; both with crisp white linen, goose feather pillows and thick duvets. The room looked rustic with floorboards and exposed beams and had many clever doggy decor pieces. It was a particularly frosty night so we found the room a bit chilly and ended up using the duvet from the single bed too. On the downside, we found the lighting very dim and the room could have done with a couple more task lights and electrical sockets beside the bed. Above: Our dog-friendly Courtyard Stable RoomThe grounds are huge parkland-type gardens and it was lovely to see snowdrops poking through. Mostly, we could only see trees but being February, we probably weren’t seeing it at its best. We nevertheless enjoyed walking around with Benji outside. We ate that night in the Study. The service was really excellent particularly as our waiter was dealing with others elsewhere while it was only us in the Study. He even found time to give Benji a bowl of water. The food was exceptionally good; for me: great chicken wings, the juiciest burger I’ve had in a long time, tangy lemon tart all washed down by a Malbec and a flat white coffee. Above: Dinner in the StudyThe following morning, we got room service Full-Irish breakfasts which arrived exactly on time delivered by a friendly gentleman and was really, really good. Sometimes room service breakfasts aren’t as good as that in the restaurant and it arrives cold and soggy….but this one was so good. Especially well done considering we weren’t in the main house. We left Bellinter House Hotel - two happy bunnies and one happy doggy. I would return just for the food alone. So, the above outlines our stay but here are eight things to do in Co. Meath. Enjoy! 8 Things To Do In Co. Meath1. Newgrange It’s widely agreed that a visit to the ancient site of Newgrange is one of the best things to do in Meath, and you access it through the Bru na Bonnie Visitor Centre. Newgrange is an ancient passage tomb that was built over 5,200 years ago by Stone Age farmers. That makes it older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza!! Newgrange is a large circular mound that measures around 85 meters in diameter and 13.5 meters high. It’s surrounded by 97 stones (known as kerbstones) some of which are engraved with megalithic art. The tour of Newgrange is guaranteed to impress young and old alike! Just make sure to book your ticket in advance. 2. The Boyne Valley Drive The Boyne Valley Drive is a fine way to spend a day or two exploring the best things to do in Louth and Meath. The drive immerses you in over 5,000 years of rich history, mythology and folklore, and is home to heavyweights like Newgrange, the Hill of Tara and Loughcrew. However, it’s also home to several places to go in Meath that are often overlooked, like the Hill of Skryne and Bective Abbey. The drive is relatively easy to follow, once you have an itinerary at the ready. 3. Trim Castle You’ll find Trim Castle in the ancient town of Trim in Meath, where it’s been since 1172. The majestic Trim Castle is arguably the best-preserved of the many castles in Ireland. Trim is Ireland’s largest Norman castle and it was built over a lengthy thirty-year period by Hugh de Lacy. Trim Castle was used during the filming of Braveheart starring Mel Gibson. You can either head into Trim Castle for a nosey around (you have to pay) or you can head for a ramble around it and admire it from the outside. 4. Bective Abbey Although many of the remaining ruins of Bective Abbey date back to the 15th century, an Abbey was originally founded here much earlier, in 1147. Bective Abbey was Ireland’s second Cistercian abbey and it was established after the success of nearby Mellifont Abbey, in Louth. Although there’s no official tour here, it’s well worth carving out some time during your visit to Meath to check it out. The Braveheart link: Due to its medieval qualities, Bective, like Trim Castle, was used during the filming of Braveheart. 5. Slane Castle For people my age, Slane Castle will always be synonymous with the wonderful music festivals dating from the 1980s. However, a visit to Slane Castle is another of the more popular things to do in Meath, and you’ll find it on the outskirts of the picturesque town of Slane. You could easily spend a day exploring Slane Castle and its extensive grounds. If you have a bit of time, tackle the castle tour, first, and then nab a bite to eat from the food truck. When your belly’s full, you can tackle the walking trail that’ll take you through the grounds that have hosted everyone from Eminem to Bon Jovi. 6. Knowth and Dowth Next on the list is Knowth and Dowth. Although Newgrange tends to get a good chunk of the fame, Knowth boasts the largest passage grave of the Brú na Bóinne complex. It consists of a large 12-metre-high mound and 17 smaller satellite tombs. As is the case with Newgrange, the structure here is incredibly old. It has been estimated that the large mound here dates from c. 3,200 BC. You can get to Knowth via a guided tour from the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, but you can visit Dowth directly, free of charge. 7. Kells Round Tower I used to go to Kells for audits when I worked as an accountant back in the day and always stayed in the lovely Headfort Arms Hotel. Here also you’ll find the 26 metre high Kells Round Tower in the town. The doorway to the round tower was originally 12 feet above the ground, and those that wished to enter would have to do so via a ladder. Traditionally, many round towers have 4 windows, however, Kells Round Tower has five, with each window facing each road and gateway that enters the town. You’ll also find five high crosses near the tower. The earliest of these crosses dates way back to the 9th century. 8. The Hill of Slane You’ll find the often-missed Hill of Slane not far from Slane Village where it stands at around 158 metres above the surrounding countryside. Those that visit will discover a Franciscan Monastery (including a finely preserved tower!) that dates from around 1512. The hill boasts several other historical sites. Interestingly enough, it’s believed that an ancient king (one of the Fir Bolg) is buried here. The story also goes that St. Patrick lit a fire on the hill as an act of defiance against a local king who forbid any fires being lit while there was a festival fire burning on the nearby Hill of Tara. Even if you’ve no real interest in the history of the area, the Hill of Slane is worth a visit to soak up the view alone. Bucket List Items Ticked Off in the above Blog 124 Number 59 - Travel - Hotels
Other Blog Posts Blog 11 - Sydney, Australia Blog 12 - Hong Kong, China Blog 17 - Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai, China Blog 19 - California, USA Blog 27 - Scotland Blog 28 - Barbados Blog 29 - Canada Blog 30 - Alaska Blog 31 - Everglades, Florida Have you ever been to Co. Meath? Tell me about your experience in the comments section below. If you liked this post, please share. Sharing is caring 😊
1 Comment
20/8/2024 08:09:26
I wanted to express my gratitude for your insightful and engaging article. Your writing is clear and easy to follow, and I appreciated the way you presented your ideas in a thoughtful and organized manner. Your analysis was both thought-provoking and well-researched, and I enjoyed the real-life examples you used to illustrate your points. Your article has provided me with a fresh perspective on the subject matter and has inspired me to think more deeply about this topic.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorMy name is Mary and this is my bucket list blog ...having survived a near-death experience. I hope it encourages you to "live your best life". See how I'm completing my own bucket list items. And let me know how you're getting on with yours! Archives
December 2024
Categories
All
|