Navan Fire Station HQ to Receive €13 million Upgrade with Additional Funding for Oldcastle and New Fire Appliance
Meath County Council has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage JamesBrowneTDofrecord investment under the Fire Services Capital Programme 2026–2030, whichwillsee€15.8million invested in fire service infrastructure across CountyMeath.
As part of the programme, €13 million has been allocated for the major refurbishment and expansion of Navan Fire Station Headquarters, alongside €2.8 million for works at Oldcastle Fire Stationandfundingforone new fire appliance for Meath. Contd P12
Road users hit breaking point as the pothole pandemic in North Meath worsens – Guirke
Lack of investment from both local and national Government slammed as roads in North Meath fall into further disrepair
Sinn Féin TD for Meath West, Johnny Guirke TD, has slammed the lack of investment from both local andnationalGovernmentas roads in North Meath fall intofurtherdisrepair.
Teachta Guirke said “The condition of our roads across North Meath has reached an unacceptable levelofdisrepair.Residents and road users are dealing with dangerous potholes, deterioratingsurfaces,anda lack of proper maintenance of these roads daily. These roads now pose a very real risktothesafetyofdrivers.
“I have been working on thisissueforthepasttwelve years, consistently raising
concerns and pushing for action. Despite repeated representations, the situation on the ground continuestoworsen.Thisis simplynotgoodenoughfor the people of North Meath, who deserve safe and reliable infrastructure.
People in the area have become so frustrated and worried that they have discussed organising into local groups to fill these potholes themselves. It is outrageousthatpeoplewho work hard and pay their road tax have become so neglected by national and local government that they feelthereisnootheroption but to repair essential road infrastructure themselves, which is supposed to be maintained by local authorities.
“I want to acknowledge the ongoing efforts of both Cllr Peter Caffrey and Cllr MichaelGallagher,wholike me, have been highlighting thedirestateoftheseroads to Meath County Council. Together, we have consistently raised the urgency of addressing road conditions,yettheresponse hasfallenfarshortofwhatis required.
“The recent measly increaseinfundingallocated
toroadsinCountyMeathis completely inadequate. It does not come close to addressing the scale of the problemwearefacing."
"Decades of underinvestment have left our road network in a dire state,andsmallincremental patchworkissimplyputting aplasterontheproblem.
“What is needed now is significant and sustained
investment in our roads. Anything less will only prolong the hardship faced by communities across North Meath. I along with my colleagues Cllr Peter Caffrey and Cllr Michael Gallagher, will continue to press for the funding and resourcesnecessarytobring our roads up to a safe and acceptable standard,” he concluded.
Deputy Johnny Guirke standing beside some of the huge potholes the residents of North Meath have to deal with.
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Respa Beds Wins ‘Brand Champion’ Title from Guaranteed Irish
Respa Beds has been named Guaranteed Irish Brand Activation Champion, recognisedforitsstronguse of the iconic ‘G’ symbol acrossitsbrand,marketing, andbusinessoperations.
Each month, Guaranteed Irish rewards one member business for exemplary activation of the symbol with the Brand Activation Champion award, in association with The Irish Times.Thewinnerreceives amarketingpackageworth €15,000, including advertising in The Irish Times, a radio advertising campaign and regional mediacoverage.
RespaBedshasembedded the Guaranteed Irish ‘G’ across a wide range of touchpoints,showcasingits commitment to Irish jobs and craftsmanship. From digital platforms and internalcommunicationsto social media and retail environments. The symbol is also prominently displayed acrossitslogisticsfleetand outdoor advertising, including Navan and Páirc
This multichannel approach demonstrates how the Guaranteed Irish mark can be integrated across marketing, operations, and community engagement.
Research carried out in 2025 shows that 75% of members report a positive impactontheirbottomline from the Guaranteed Irish licence, citing financial benefits from using the ‘G’ symbolincommunications.
DarrenRennicks,Headof Marketing at Respa said
McKee welcomes local community funding awards under the Indaver Community Grants Scheme
Local Fianna Fáil Councillor for Laytown / Bettystown and IndaverCommunityLiaison Committee Member, StephenMcKee,haswarmly welcomed the awarding of almost €285,000 to local community groups and organisations in the East Meath area under this year’sIndaverCommunity Grants Scheme pending formal approval by Meath CountyCouncil.
“Weareincrediblyproudto be recognised as Guaranteed Irish Brand ActivationChampion.Asan Irish manufacturer, supporting local jobs and communities is at the core ofeverythingwedo."
He continued "The Guaranteed Irish symbol allows us to clearly communicate that commitment to our customers, and we are passionateaboutcontinuing to champion Irish-made products.”
Trim Kenpo Self Defence Studio
Mill Street, Trim, Co. Meath
Want to learn how to defend yourself? Why not pay us a visit? You will be sure of a warm welcome, friendly atmosphere and great training facilities.
Adult Beginner Classes
Tuesday / Thursday 8.00 Saturday 12.00
The Academy is open Tuesday and Thursday evenings: Beginners/Juniors 6.00 – 7.00.
Fully Garda vetted, full child protection accredited, fully licensed and insured. Trim Kenpo Self Defence Studio is affiliated to European Kenpo Karate Association and IKKA.
Tel:086 3586141 / 086 8336362 or visit Facebook: TrimKenpoKarateAcademy.
McKeesaid"Asamember of theIndaverCommunity Liaison Committee, I am delighted to have played a key role in securing almost €285,000worthoffunding for various clubs and organisations in the East Meatharea."
"Iamparticularlypleased tohavesupportedourlocal GAA Clubs, St.Mary’s GFC and Duleek-Bellewstown GFCwhobetweenthemwill receive€85,000forprojects at their Club Grounds. DuleekAFCSoccerClubwill receive €40,000 while Drogheda Town FC have
been awarded €18,000 towardsatrainingareaand communitywalkway."
"Manyotherclubs,groups andassociationsinthearea will also benefit from the fund this year including Duleek Drama Players, Julianstown Youth Orchestra, Duleek Senior Citizens, Donore & Rossnaree Parish Community Development GroupandDuleekHeritage Group."
"Under the planning conditions ofIndaver, a planninglevyismadetothe local community for every tonne that is accepted into theWaste-to-Energyfacility. TheFundismanagedbythe Community Liaison CommitteeofwhichIama member and the fund is designedtoprovidefinancial assistance to local community-basedclubsand voluntary organisations for the development of community projects and worksinthelocality."
Cllr McKee concluded by saying"Thereisobviouslya limited fund available and unfortunately not everyone can benefit this year, but I am pleased that so many local groups and organisations will benefit this year from the Scheme. They make a huge contribution to our communities.Iwillcontinue toworkhardonbehalfofall ourlocalgroups."
"I’mpleasedtohavealso strongly supported funding forlocalschoolsDonoreNS and Mounthanover NS where projects include the upgradeofschoolplayareas forchildren.’
Would you like to learn self defense, boost your confidence, improve your co-ordination, get fit as well? If the answer is YES! Why not pop in to our studio at Mill Street, Trim, for more information. It could change your life!
At Trim Kenpo Self Defence Studio we pride ourselves on giving our students first rate instruction in self defense while having fun at the same time. Trim Kenpo Karate Academy is a family friendly studio with a big emphasis on enjoyment and learning.
Our students develop both physically and mentally while developing their co-ordination, balance, confidence, respect, discipline and social skills. Students are assessed on a regular basis and tests are held frequently throughout the year.
New and returning members are always welcome at the Academy. Trim Kenpo Self Defence Studio is affiliated to the European Kenpo Karate Association, International Kenpo Karate Association and I.M.A.C.
Trim Kenpo Self Defence Studio (Club) was formed on Thursday 8th March 1984 by the present Instructor, 4th Degree Black Belt, Gerry Shanahan. It is one of the most successful and oldest clubs in Ireland and
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Drogheda Credit Union Trim Branch Donates
€6,000 To Local Community Groups
TheTrimBranchofDroghedaCredit Union has donated €6,000 last monthtosupportlocalcharitiesand communityorganisationsinTrim.
These donations help groups that are making very meaningful contributions to thelivesoffamiliesandindividualsacross thelocalcommunity.
This year, the Trim community committeehasprovideddonationstomany community groups including Trim Tidy Town,TrimFirstResponders,MeathRiver Rescue, Trim Meals on Wheels, Scoil Mhuire and St Mary’s National School ParentsAssociation.
Geraldine Gilsenan, Director at DroghedaCreditUnion,said“Community organisationsplayavitalroleinsupporting peoplewhentheyneeditmost.Whetherit is through practical help, guidance or simply providing a sense of connection, thesegroupsdoincrediblework."
Adrienne Cottrell, Trim Branch Supervisor,DroghedaCreditUnion,added “By donating €6,000 through our Trim branch this year, we hope to support the fantastic work being carried out by local organisations. Our members are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to giving back to the communities we serve throughout the year.”
DroghedaCreditUnion,withbranchesin Drogheda,EastMeath,Dunleer,Slaneand Trim, makes donations on behalf of its members to help strengthen the communitiesinwhichtheyliveandwork.
If you would like information, or to requestadonation,contactusbyemailing us on sponsorship@droghedacu.ie
It was cheque presentation day to local organisations at Trim Credit Union recently. Representative of Gaelscoil na Boinne, St. Mary’s NS, Scoil Mhuire, Meath River Rescue, Trim Tidy Towns, Trim Community First Responders and Trim Meals on Wheels joined Credit Union representatives at the branch in Trim.
Charlie Bloomer of Trim Credit Union makes the presentation to Jacqueline Maher of Scoil Mhuire. Also pictured are Ailbhe Hackett, Suzanne Gilleece, Eric Dempsey and Adrienne Cottrell of the Credit Union
Charlie Bloomer makes the presentation to Pat Dinan of Trim Tidy Towns. Also pictured are Trim Credit Union’s Ailbhe Hackett, Suzanne Gileece, Geraldine Gilsenan, Eric Dempsey and Adrienne Cottrell.
Charlie Bloomer makes the presentation to Jamie Rennicks of Meath River Rescue.
Charlie Bloomer of Trim Credit Union with Fr. Paul Crosbie for Trim Meals on Wheels.
At the cheque presentation were Una Gilsenan, Oisin Gilsenan and Liam Potterton. Brian Reilly of Trim Community First Responders with his boys Cathal and Killian
Charlie Bloomer makes the presentation to Jane McSherry and Brian Reilly of Trim Community First Responders also pictured are Brian’s boys Cathal and Killian with Trim Credit Union’s Eric Dempsey, Adrienne Cottrell and Ailbhe Hackett.
Meath County Council Announces Gaeltacht Scholarship Winners 2026
Forty-two students from twenty-three secondary schools have been awarded Gaeltacht scholarships by Meath County Council funded under the Council’s Irish Language and Creative IrelandProgrammes.
The scholarships were presented by LeasChathaoirleach of Meath CountyCouncilCllrCaroline O’Reilly and Director of Services for Culture, Community and Gaeltacht Affairs Barry Lynch to students at a special ceremonyinBuvindaHouse, onWednesday11March.
The scholarship scheme wassetupin2018tohonour Máire Nic Shiubhlaigh, a founderactressoftheAbbey Theatre and a leader of CumannnamBáninJacob’s Biscuit Factory during the 1916 Rising. Máire was also an employee of Meath County Council where she workedasabranchlibrarian in Laytown during the 1950’s.
short performance from Étáin Ní Churraoin, a native Irish speaker, social media influencer and Sean-Nós singer from the Ráth Chairn Gaeltacht.
MáireNicShiubhlaigh Scholarship:
•LilyCummings
•DaisyMagee• DaraCullen
The scheme was extended in recent years with new scholarships introduced for students attending DEIS schools. The two DEIS scholarships honour the memory of two other Irish language activists from the county, Mother Columba Gibbons, Loreto Navan, and Máire Ní Raghallaigh from Drumconrath.
Commenting on the scholarship scheme, Barry Lynch, Director of Services for Culture, Community and Gaeltacht Affairs of Meath County Council said “It’s an honourtocelebratetheIrish Language and the memory of three revolutionaries who otherwise would have got lost in the passage of time. Meath County Council continues to promote the Irish Language through initiatives such as the recent launchinKellslibraryofthe ANSEO – ‘A sense of Place ‘ Logainm/Placenames Project for which funding was received for from the Department of Culture, HeritageandGaeltacht.”
Meath County Council would like to wish all the youngpeoplewhoreceiveda scholarship all the best in their Gaeltacht adventures thissummer.
Award winners at the event at Buvinda House with County Librarian Maedhbh Rogan-McGann, Irish Language Officer Nóirín Murphy, Leas-Chathaoirleach Cllr Caroline O’Reilly, Director of Services Barry Lynch.
Meath School Leads the Way in National ‘Daily Swaps’ Challenge
Students at Beaufort College have been recognised at a national level for their outstanding efforts in promoting sustainability, earning the Best Creativity Award in this year’s Daily Swaps Challenge, a nationwide initiative from the GreenSchoolsprogramme,runby AnTaisce.
The award celebrates schools that bring bold, imaginative, and inspiring ideas to raising awareness andBeaufortCollegestood outfordoingexactlythat.
The creativity extended beyond promotion, with students organising inventive activities that encouraged participation throughout the school community. These included opening the “Beaufort Boutique” for clothingdonations,linking with ExamRevision.ie to distribute free reusable water bottles, and hosting an interactive water awarenessworkshopwitha facilitator from Concern Worldwide.
Through these imaginative ideas and hands-on initiatives, Beaufort College transformed the campaign intoavibrantandengaging experience, inspiring studentstothinkcreatively about sustainability and the everyday choices that canhelpprotecttheplanet.
The Daily Swaps Challenge invited students across Ireland to take
Throughout the initiative, students designed a wide range of engaging promotional materials that brought the campaigntolifeacrossthe school. Their work included eye-catching graphic designs, a lively social media campaign, a dynamic school noticeboard, and even colourful murals around the school’s water fountains to highlight the importance of water conservation.
simple everyday actions— such as taking shorter showers, boiling only the water needed, or donating unused clothes—to reduce waterandenergyuse.
Taking place from 9–13 March, the challenge saw participation from schools in 18 counties, with students recording an impressive total of 22,923 dailyswaps.
Theinitiativerevealsthe close connection between water and energy use in everyday life. Heating waterforshowers,running washing machines, producing food and manufacturing clothing all requiresignificantamounts ofbothresources.
For example, washing machines consume an averageof50litresofwater percycle1,whileproducing a single cotton T-shirt can requirearound2,700litres ofwater2.Bymakingsmall changestoeverydayhabits, we can help reduce pressure on ecosystems
and lower environmental impacts.
The Daily Swaps Challengeformspartofthe Green-Schools Water Theme,supportedbyUisce Éireann, which works with schools across Ireland to raise awareness about protecting water resources and promoting sustainable wateruse.
GeoffreyBourke,Headof Customer Operations at UisceÉireann,asponsorof the Green-Schools Water Programme, commented “Daily Swaps shows how small,practicalactionscan make a real difference. By empowering students to lead sustainability campaigns in their schools and communities, we’re helping young people understand the connections between water, energy and the everydaychoiceswemake.”
Tori Rickman, GreenSchools Officer for the Water Theme, added “Beaufort College’s Daily
Swaps campaign is a fantastic example of how students can lead meaningful environmental action in a creative and engaging way. By running their own challenges, Green-Schools Committees build real skills in communication, teamwork and motivating others. It highlights that
environmental action doesn’t have to be about giving things up, it can be about challenging ourselves and our peers to make small changes togetherinawaythat’sfun andimpactful.”
For more information about the Green-Schools programme, visit www. greenschoolsireland.org.
Students from Beaufort College Navan lead the way in "Daily Swaps"
O’Rourke - School places crisis in Dunshaughlin
still unresolved for children waiting for
The Issue
remains unresloved for approximately 25 children seeking Irish -medium education
Sinn Féin TD for Meath East,DarrenO’Rourke,has confirmed that the campaign to secure school places for children in Dunshaughlin has moved intoacriticalnewphase.
While additional places havenowbeencommittedat Dunshaughlin Community National School (DCNS), the issue remains unresolved for approximately 25 children seeking Irish-medium education.
Teachta O'Rourke has welcomed a proposal from Thomas Byrne TD for a meeting between the four local TDs, local school principals,andtheMinister for Education, Hildegarde Naughten TD, to find a definitivesolution.
Hesaid"Thesituationhas evolved,butithasnotbeen resolved.Itiswelcomethat additional places have now been committed at Dunshaughlin Community National School. However,
this does not address the specificneedsofthecohort ofchildren,estimatedtobe in the region of 25, who require access to Irish mediumeducation.
"Weareatapointwherea clear and obvious solution exists. It requires a dual approach:thedeliveryofthe newly committed places at DCNS, alongside the provision of additional capacity at Gaelscoil na Ríthe.Thisistheonlywayto ensure that every child in the community has a place inaschoolthatmeetstheir needsthisSeptember.
DeputyO'Rourkewenton tosay"Theannualscramble for school places in Dunshaughlinhasbecomea predictable and unacceptable pattern. Last
year we saw a last-minute fix,andwecannotallowthat to happen again. Parents need certainty, not another summerofanxiety.
"Withparentsoutsidethe Dáilrecently,ThomasByrne TD proposed that the four localTDsandtheprincipals oftheaffectedschoolsmeet directly with the Minister
for Education. This is a sensibleproposalandIfully supportit.Now,weneedto movethisfromaproposalto a reality. The solution is workable and within the Department’s capacity to deliver.
parentsandschoolsandwill keep the pressure on the Minister until every child, including those seeking Irish-medium education, has a confirmed school place."
"There is an obvious solution,awin-win,butwe needtheMinistertoengage nowtogetitovertheline."
Sinn Fein TD for Meath East, Darren O'Rourke
CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEWS
Heady times for Meath GAA
These are heady times for Meath GAA players, officials and supporters in football, hurling, ladies football and camogie with hugely-anticipated championship action across the various codes set to unfold during April and May.
Supporters will be anticipating a positive campaign with the National Football League Div 2 trophy already secured and expectations will now turn to the possibility of a Leinster SFC title and an All-Ireland SFC title in the weeks ahead.
The Meath footballers will tackle a Westmeath side full of confidence after they accounted for Longford by 5-25 to 1-16 last Sunday at Pearse Park. That Leinster SFC quarter-final this will take place this Sunday (19th April) at O’Connor Park, Tullamore
For the hurlers, the Christy Ring Cup campaign started last Sunday with a 14-point (0-12 to 3-17) defeat by Kerry (see report inside) at Trim. The second round will will take place this Saturday (18th April) against Roscommon. In ladies football, Meath will face Kildare (26th April) and Dublin (10th May) in the Leinster SFC with the final set for 17th May. In the All-Ireland SFC it will be Armagh (7th June) and Kildare (14th June) in a bid to make further progress.
Meath will play in the Leinster Camogie Championship ahead of the All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship in May and can reflect on a positive National Camogie League campaign despite a Div 2 final defeat (0-8 to 1-7) by Kerry (see report inside) on Saturday (11th April) in Banagher.
PHOTO: Meath captain Eoghan Frayne raises the NFL Div 2 trophy at Croke Park on Sunday 29th March after the win against Cork.
Photo by Gerry Shanahan / www.cyberimages.net
CONALL COLLIER
First Sliverware of Robbie's Reign
By: Conall Collier
There was a first piece of silverware for Meath senior football team manager Robbie Brennan on Sunday 29th March when the Royal County finished the National Football League Div 2 campaign following an absorbing 1-22 to 2-17 victory against Cork in a thrilling final at Croke Park.
Both sides had already secured promotion to the NFL Div 1 for 2027 and Meath turned on the style with team captain Eoghan Frayne raising the trophy in the Hogan Stand to the delight of team management, Co Board officials and supporters.
And it was a hard-earned victory as, despite a bright start, Meath trailed by two points (0-10 to 0-12) at the interval after Cork enjoyed a productive second-quarter on the scoreboard.
A brace of Ruairi Kinsella twopointers and a Jordan Morris brace edged Meath into a deserved 0-6 to 0-5 first-quarter advantage as Cork stayed in touch through Chris Óg Jones (two), Paul Walsh, Stephen Sherlock and Colm O’Callaghan. Cork also missed a goal chance, but took control subsequently as Sherlock added five points (one
two-pointer) with Walsh and Jones also on target and another goal chance squandered. Sean Brennan’s two-point free sustained Meath and late points from Morris and Aaron Lynch kept them in touch at the interval. Jack O’Connor’s two-pointer had Meath
on terms (0-12 apiece) a minute into the second-half, but Jones found the net instantly for Cork at the other end.
Callaghan added a Cork point before Meath missed a goal chance and Sean Brennan’s point from a ‘45’ left a goal in it. Then Jack
O’Connor surged forward and rifled to the Cork net to tie it a 1-13 apiece.
Sherlock (two) and Mark Cronin points kept Cork in the ascendancy by the 46th minute, but the Munster side didn’t score again until a Sherlock effort in the 62nd minute.
At that stage Meath had forged into a 1-22 to 1-17 lead as substitute James Conlon (four), Eoghan Frayne (three) Kinsella and Ciaran Caulfield split the posts and ultimately sealed victory.
There was a brief surge from Cork when Brian Hurley finished to the net, but Meath retained possession for the remainder and James Conlon departed on a black card ahead of the hooter.
It was a memorable occasion for Conlon who neither started or finished a thriller but contributed four crucial points when sent on early in the second-half and then departed on that black card.
TEAM AND SCORERS
Meath - Sean Brennan (0-3 one two-point free, one ‘45’); Seamus Lavin, Sean Rafferty, Brian O’Halloran; Donal Keogan, Sean Coffey, Ciaran Caulfield (0-1); Bryan Menton, Jack Flynn; Jack O'Connor (1-2 one two-pointer), Ruairi Kinsella (0-5 two twopointers), Cian McBride; Jordan Morris (0-3), Eoghan Frayne (0-3), Aaron Lynch (0-1).
Subs – James Conlon (0-4) for Lynch 42 mins, Ronan Ryan for Lavin 45m, Cathal Hickey for McBride 50m, Killian Smith for O’Halloran 52m, Oisin Martin for O’Connor 60m,
The first sliverware of the Robbie Brennan era was lifted when Meath defeated Cork in the NFL Division 2 final at Croke Park.
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Two pointers why Meath should advance in Leinster SFC on Sunday
By: Conall Collier
Two-pointers and survival instincts have been a crucial part of Meath's DNA in 2026 and have contributed significantly to eight wins out of 10 with seven out of eight of those achieved in the journey to the National Football League (NFL) Div 2 title and a place in the top grade for 2027.
The evidence of the survival instincts was there only three days into 2026 when a goal line clearance by Gerry Dwane in second-half added time sustained the Royal County in the O'Byrne Cup opener with a 2-11 to 1-12 win against Wicklow.
Okay, so it wasn't evident four days later in the defeat by Offaly at Portarlington, but the ability to claim two-pointers was.
It got serious with the trip to Croke Park for the first 'home' outing in the NFL Div 2 on Saturday 24th January and a substantial test produced a 0-19 to 1-13 win against Derry.
Man of the match Jack Flynn along with Jordan Morris, Mathew Costello, goalkeeper Sean Brennan, Brian O’Halloran and second-half substitutes Cian McBride and James Conlon were all pivotal to a hugely impressive team performance.
Meath made it two from two on Sunday 1st February when Jack Flynn salvaged a huge 2-17 to 1-18 NFL Div 2 victory with a last minute two-pointer against Cavan at Breffni Park.
Next-time-out there was a sensational opening 10 seconds as
Meath and Louth went head-tohead at Croke Park on St Valentine’s Day (Saturday 14th February) where the Royal County made it three wins in-a-row.
This time it was real survival instincts and Jack Flynn’s 70th minute two-pointer that earned a 1-20 to 0-22 victory.
Following the narrow defeat by Cork in the fourth round of the NFL Meath got back on the horse with an impressive 1-21 to 0-10 victory against Kildare at Newbridge on Saturday 28th February to maintain a promotion drive. Goalkeeper Sean Brennan was the man for the important twopointers.
The action continued with another ‘home’ test at Croke Park on Saturday 14th March where Meath recorded a 3-24 to 2-22 victory against Tyrone.
Robbie Brennan’s side was ahead by 2-12 to 1-11 at the interval with the inspiration provided by Jack O’Connor who found the net in the 31st minute and also claimed four two-pointers.
Once again, goalkeeper Séan Brennan made a vital contribution on the scoreboard as he converted a late two-point free to seal the win. Meath secured promotion to NFL Division 1 following a 2-22 to 0-18 victory in Tullamore on Sunday 22nd March against Offaly and sealed a place in the final against Cork.
FINAL: See separate report on the NFL Div 2 final against Cork at Croke Park on page 2.
Bryan Menton in full control despite the attention of two Tyrone players.
Photo: Gerry Shanahan www.cyberimages.net
Jack Flynn in action for Meath in the National Football League Div 2 Final against Cork
Photo: Gerry Shanahan www.cyberimages.net
Meath well placed to negotiate neighbours Westmeath
By: Conall Collier
Meath manager Robbie Brennan will adopt a cautious approach ahead of Sunday’s eagerly awaited Leinster Senior Football Championship quarter-final against Westmeath despite the formbook showing that the Royal County is expected to advance without too much difficulty.
Sports enthusiasts are well aware that following the formbook is not always advisable and also that it’s not an exact science. That’s the aspect of sport, any sport, that sustains supporters who can always look to the ‘next match’ for solace when times are not so good.
And Meath supporters would be well drilled in that respect following too many years where hopes and dreams often ended at the first obstacle.
However, Meath should be more than capable of negotiating a Westmeath side that will be in a buoyant mood after last Sunday’s Leinster SFC impressive 5-25 to 1-16 first round victory against Longford for Mark McHugh’s side.
Westmeath showed their ability for goals with five in the first-half that effectively killed off the Longford challenge. Brandon
Kelly and Luke Loughlin each scored two goals and Shane Corcoran also found the net.
Leaving the goals to one side, a tally of 25 points with a sprinkling of two-pointers suggests that this Westmeath team deserves a lot of respect despite a third place finish in NFL Div 3 where a final day defeat by Wexford deprived them of a place in the final.
The evidence leans strongly in favour of Meath with players who have an ability for twopointers from either play or frees.
No doubt, Westmeath will be on high-alert to deal with the likes of Jordan Morris, Ruairi Kinsella and Jack O’Connor while Seamus Lavin, Jack Flynn and Bryan Menton will exert a huge influence on the game over 70 minutes.
And Meath supporters are also aware that even when the scoring gets tight, that Meath can dig out a result if the need arises. It’s unlikely to be too tight in Tullamore and Meath should be more than capable of dealing with Westmeath as the benefit of playing in a higher grade (Div 2 versus Div3) is likely to be a significant factor.
NFL RESULTS
DIVISION 2
First round - Meath 0-19, Derry 1-13; Second round - Meath 2-17, Cavan 1-18; Third round - Meath 1-20, Louth 0-22; Fourth roundCork 1-23, Meath 1-21; Fifth round - Meath 1-21, Kildare 0-10;
Jack Flynn in action for Meath in the National Football League Division 2 Final against Cork. Photo: Gerry Shanahan www.cyberimages.net
Meath Herald Stats - Footballers Journey to the Championship
with a magnificent 0-19 to 1-13 win against a highly-fancied Derry side after a tentative start in each half.
FIRST ROUND
Meath 2-11, Wicklow 1-12
The journey started away to Wicklow when an inexperienced Meath side got off to a winning 2026 with a narrow O’Byrne Cup victory on Saturday 3rd January.
Meath were ahead by 2-7 to 0-4 at the interval with goals from Diarmuid Moriarty and Killian Smyth. However, it required a goal line clearance by Gerry Dwane in second-half added time to sustain the Royal County.
Meath - Finn Moore; Oran Smullen, Gerry Dwane, Shane Gibney; Killian Smyth (1-0), John O'Regan, Ross Ryan; Conor Gray (0-2 two-pointer), Charlie O'Connor; Daithi McGowan, Rian McConnell, Oisin Martin (0-2); Gary Breslin, Diarmuid Moriarty (14 two frees), Niall Finnerty (0-3 one two-pointer).
Subs - Ciaran McCarrick for Smullen 29 mins, Sean Emmanuel for Gray and Darragh Campion for Breslin both half-time, Mark Coffey for Finnerty 46m, Conor Ennis for Ryan 55m.
QUARTER-FINAL
Offaly 2-13 Meath 0-15
Four days later Meath exited as two first-half goals helped Offaly carve out a merited O'Byrne Cup quarterfinal victory at Portarlington on Wednesday 7th January. However, seven changes to the starting 15 from Saturday's opening round win against Wicklow saw James McEntee, Jack O’Connor, Billy Hogan, Ciarán McCarrick, Cillian O’Sullivan, Darragh Campion and Bryan Menton (150th start) all feature.
Meath - Billy Hogan; Ciaran McCarrick, Ger Dwane, Shane Gibney; Killian Smyth, John O’Regan, James McEntee; Daithi McGowan (0-6 three frees, one twopoint free), Bryan Menton; Cillian O’Sullivan, Oisin Martin (0-2 twopointer), Jack O’Connor; Niall Finnerty (0-2), Diarmuid Moriarty (0-4 one two-point free), Darragh Campion.
Subs - Rian Stafford (0-1) for Campion 39 mins, Conor Ennis for O'Sullivan and Oran Mulvany for McEntee both 48m, Michael Gavin for Dwan 56m, Jack Swan for Gibney 59m.
FIRST ROUND
Meath reigned in the rain at Croke Park on Saturday 24th January and opened the NFL Div 2 campaign
Robbie Brennan’s Meath delivered a memorable performance with man of the match Jack Flynn, Jordan Morris, Mathew Costello, goalkeeper Sean Brennan, Brian O’Halloran and second-half substitutes Cian McBride and James Conlon all pivotal to a hugely impressive team performance.
Meath - Seán Brennan (0-2 one twopoint free); Seamus Lavin, Seán Rafferty, Brian O'Halloran; Donal Keogan, Ciarán Caulfield (0-1), Adam O'Neill; Bryan Menton (0-1), Jack Flynn (0-7 two two-pointers, one ‘45’) Conor Duke, Ruairi Kinsella, Seán Coffey; Jordan Morris (0-3 one two-pointer), Eoghan Frayne (0-1), Mathew Costello (0-3 one two-poin free, one free).
Subs – Cian McBride for Duke 48 mins, James Conlon (0-1) for O’Neill 52m, Jack O’Connor for Frayne 60m, Jason Scully for Kinsella 65m, Ronan Ryan for O'Halloran 68m.
SECOND ROUND
Meath made it two from two on Sunday 1st February when Jack Flynn salvaged a huge 2-17 to 1-18 NFL Div 2 victory with a last minute two-pointer against Cavan at Breffni Park.
Cavan had forged ahead seconds earlier and the home supporters probably felt their team had done enough to merit a win, but Robbie Brennan’s troops had a different plan.
It was 1-8 apiece at the interval as hosts Cavan finished the opening 35 minutes on the front foot.
It was neck and neck in the secondhalf until Flynn sent over that late two-pointer to seal a sensational victory.
Meath - Seán Brennan; Seamus, Lavin, Sean Rafferty, Brian O'Halloran; Donal Keogan, Sean Coffey (0-1), Ciarán Caulfield (0-1); Bryan Menton, Jack Flynn (0-2 twopointer); Cian McBride, Ruairi Kinsella (1-2), Mathew Costello (02); Jordan Morris (1-4 penalty goal), Conor Duke (0-1), Eoghan Frayne (0-1).
Subs – James Conlon (0-3) for Duke half-time, James Scully for Frayne 52 mins, Jack O’Connor for Costello 59m, Oisin Martin for Kinsella 68m.
THIRD ROUND
There was a sensational opening 10 seconds as Meath and Louth went head-to-head at Croke Park on St Valentine’s Day (Saturday 14th February) where the Royal County made it three wins-in-a-row when Jack Flynn’s 70th minute two-pointer salvaged a 1-20 to 0-22 victory. Four first minute black cards saw Meath’s Brian O’Halloran and Sean
Rafferty joined by Louth duo Sam Mulroy and Ciaran Downey on the sideline. There was drama also on the half-time hooter when Louth were awarded a penalty, but Sean Brennan’s save denied Mulroy and Meath took a substantial 1-15 to 0-7 interval advantage, but the Royals had to dig out a victory in the second-half from Flynn’s twopointer.
Meath - Sean Brennan; Seamus Lavin, Sean Rafferty, Brian O'Halloran; Donal Keogan, Sean Coffey, Ciaran Caulfield; Bryan Menton (0-1), Jack Flynn (0-3 one two-pointer); Cian McBride, Ruairi Kinsella (1-3 one two-pointer), Mathew Costello (0-3 one twopointer); Jordan Morris (0-6 one twopointer), Aaron Lynch (0-2), Eoghan Frayne (0-1).
FOURTH ROUND
Meath lost out narrowly (1-21 to 123) against hosts Cork who had 14 players for the final 12 minutes, but still prevailed by two points in front of 6,223 spectators in a top-of-thetable encounter at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday 22nd February.
Meath - Seán Brennan (0-2 twopoint free); Ronan Ryan, Seamus Lavin, Brian O’Halloran; Donal Keogan, Seán Coffey (0-1), Ciarán Caulfield (0-1); Bryan Menton, Jack Flynn (0-3); Cian McBride, Ruairí Kinsella (0-3), Conor Duke; Jordan Morris (0-4 one free), Aaron Lynch (0-2), Eoghan Frayne (1-3). SubsAdam O’Neill for McBride 34 mins, Jack O’Connor (0-2) for Duke halftime, James Conlon for Lynch 48m, Jason Scully for Ryan 59m.
FIFTH ROUND
Meath recorded an impressive 1-21 to 0-10 NFL Div 2 victory against
Kildare at Newbridge on Saturday 28th February to maintain a promotion drive.
Manager Robbie Brennan made three changes to the team that had been announced, Sean Rafferty was in for Ronan Ryan at full back, Jack O’Connor replaced Cian McBride at right half forward and Adam O’Neill started instead of Conor Duke at left half forward.
Meath - Seán Brennan (0-5 two twopoint frees, one ‘45’); Seamus Lavin, Sean Rafferty, Brian O’Halloran; Donal Keogan, Seán Coffey, Ciaran Caulfield; Bryan Menton, Jack Flynn (0-1); Jack O’Connor (0-4), Ruairí Kinsella (0-2), Adam O’Neill; Jordan Morris (1-5), Eoghan Frayne (0-1), Aaron Lynch (0-1).
Subs - Oisín Martin for O’Connor 44 mins, Cian McBride for O’Neill 48m, Keith Curtis (0-1) for Lynch 53m, Charlie O’Connor (0-1 temp for Menton) 53m, Jason Scully for Kinsella 64m, Jamie Murphy for Frayne 66m.
SIXTH ROUND
Following a mini-break, the action resumed with another ‘home’ test at Croke Park on Saturday 14th March where Meath recorded a 3-24 to 2-22 victory against Tyrone.
Robbie Brennan’s side was ahead by 2-12 to 1-11 at the interval with the inspiration provided by Jack O’Connor who found the net in the 31st minute and also claimed four two-pointers.
Meath goalkeeper Séan Brennan converted a late two-point free to seal the win.
Jack Flynn; Jack O'Connor (1-8 four two-pointers), Ruairí Kinsella (0-5 two two-pointers), Adam O'Neill; Jordan Morris (0-1 free), Eoghan Frayne (0-4 one two-pointer), Aaron Lynch (2-1).
Subs: Charlie O'Connor for O'Neill 50 mins, Cathal Hickey for Jack O'Connor and Keith Curtis for Lynch both 54m, James Conlon for Frayne 58m, Jason Scully for Flynn 67m
SEVENTH ROUND
Meath secured promotion to NFL Division 1 following a 2-22 to 0-18 victory in Tullamore on Sunday 22nd March against Offaly in front of 3,250 supporters. Robbie Brennan's side negotiated the already relegated hosts to return to the top grade for the first time in six years.
Meath took control of the game in the lead up to half time for a 2-9 to 09 interval advantage.
Meath enjoyed a comfortable second-half to book a final ticket against Cork.
Meath - Seán Brennan (0-2 twopoint free); Seamus Lavin, Seán Rafferty, Brian O'Halloran; Donal Keogan (0-2), Seán Coffey (0-1), Ciarán Caulfield (0-1); Bryan Menton (1-0), Cian McBride (0-1); Jack O'Connor, Ruairí Kinsella (0-1), Jack Flynn; Jordan Morris (1-6 penalty goal, one free), Eoghan Frayne (0-2), Aaron Lynch (0-3).
Subs - Cathal Hickey for O’Connor 48 mins, James Conlon (0-2) for Lynch 51m, Conor Duke for Flynn 56m, Jason Scully (0-1) for Menton and Killian Smyth for Caulfield both 60m.
FINAL
See report on the NFL Div 2 final against Cork at Croke Parkon page 2.
O'BYRNE CUP
Jordan Morris comes away with possession in the NFL Div 2 final against Cork
Photo: Gerry Shanahan www.cyberimages.net
Meath Hurlers Target Christy Ring Cup Success Again
Formbook indicates
that
Meath and Kerry are
the
top two teams in the Christy Ring Cup
By: Conall Collier
Adecade on from a first Christy Ring Cut title in 2016, Meath embarked on the 2026 journey again last Sunday (12th April)l when Kerry visited Trim in what could potentially be a dress-rehearsal for the final. (See separate match report).
The formbook indicates that Meath and Kerry are the top two teams in the Christy Ring Cup with the Munster side relegated from the Joe McDonagh Cup (second tier HC) last year.
However, Derry will also be expected to make a bid for honours under manager Johnny McGarvey although only one NHL Div 2 win was achieved and that was by 2-25 to 0-21 against Mayo which doesn’t augur well for the Ulster side.
The trio of Donegal, Wicklow and Roscommon would not agree with that assessment either and they will also have title aspirations as the action unfolds over the next six weeks of frantic qualifying action with the final round scheduled for Saturday 16th May.
Wicklow, Donegal and Roscommon all campaigned in NHL Div 3 this year with Wicklow claiming the title following a 3-16 to 2-18 victory against Donegal while Roscommon finished in third place. Meath, Kerry and Derry competed in NHL Div 2 and the Munster side made it to the final where they were well beaten in the decider by Laois at O’Moore Park.
Meath lost to Kerry, Laois and Westmeath in the NHL Div 2, but had a solid victory (1-20 to 1-18) against Derry and ran Westmeath close last February at Cusack Park, Mullingar where the hosts won by 0-25 to 1-19.
Following Sunday’s opening round tie against Kerry, Meath manager Johnny Greville will head for Hyde Park this Saturday to tackle Roscommon with a victory very much on the radar ahead of the visit to Aughrim to play Wicklow a week later.
Meath will host Derry in Trim on Sunday 9th May and finish with a
trip to Letterkenny to tackle Donegal on Saturday 16th May.
Derry will also be expecting to make a bid for honours under manager Johnny McGarvey
HISTORY
The Christy Ring Cup was introduced in 2005 as a Second Tier HC as a replacement for the AllIreland SHC B, a competition Meath won in 1993.
Meath dropped to the third tier Nicky Rackard Cup in 2008, but bounced back winning that trophy in 2009.
With the introduction of the Joe McDonagh Cup in 2018, the Christy Ring Cup was downgraded to a Third Tier HC.
Meath competed in the Joe McDonagh Cup in 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024.
REMAINING FIXTURES
SECOND ROUND
SATURDAY 18th APRIL
Hyde Park – Roscommon v Meath, 3pm
SUNDAY 19th APRIL
Aughrim – Wicklow v Derry, 1pm
Tralee – Kerry v Donegal, 1pm
THIRD ROUND
SATURDAY 25th APRIL
Hyde Park – Roscommon v Kerry, 1pm
Derry – Derry v Donegal, 3pm
SUNDAY 26th APRIL
Aughrim – Wicklow v Meath, 2pm
FOURTH ROUND
SATURDAY 9th MAY
Trim – Meath v Derry.
Letterkenny – Donegal v Roscommon.
Tralee – Kerry v Wicklow, 1pm
FIFTH ROUND
SATURDAY 16th MAY
Letterkenny – Donegal v Meath.
Derry – Derry v Kerry
Aughrim – Wicklow v Roscommon
Meath manager Johnny Greville will be hoping his scharges can bring home more Chirsty Ring Cup success.
Photo: Gerry Shanahan www.cyberimages.net
Lorcan Byrne sizing up his options against Kerry. Photo Gerry Shanahan www.cyberimages.net
Meath Herald Stats - Hurlers Journey to the Championship
FIRST ROUND
Meath’s second-half performance came up just short in their first outing of 2026 as Down prevailed by 1-15 to 0-16 at Dunganny on Sunday 11th January.
Meath - Philip O’Brien; Conor Leavy, Daire Shine, Jarlath Ennis (0-1); Darragh Heffernan, Simon Ennis (0-1), Kyle Donnelly; Joey Cole, Tom Shine (0-5 two frees); Damien Healy (0-1), Mikey Cole (0-2), Eoin Donegan; Darren O’Higgins (0-2), Sean Doyle (0-1), Mark Leavy (0-1).
Subs - Gavin King for O’Brien halftime, Cathal Barron (0-1) for Doyle 45 mins, Jack Walsh (0-1) for Healy 46m, Fergal Flynn for M Cole 52m.
SECOND ROUND
Wicklow shaded the verdict by 0-16 to 3-6 against Meath on Sunday 18th January at Dunganny.
Meath - Philip O’Brien; Conor Leavy, Daire Shine, Jarlath Ennis; Darragh Heffernan, Simon Ennis, Noah Conroy; Lorcan Byrne (0-1), Tom Shine (1-3, 1-0 penalty, two frees, one ‘65’); Damien Healy, Mikey Cole, Eoin Donegan (0-1); Darren O’Higgins, Sean Doyle, Mark Leavy (1-1).
Subs - Gavin King for O’Brien, Joey Cole for Donegan both half-time, Cathal Barron for M Cole 34 mins, Sean Geraghty for Conroy 40m, Rory Fagan for Doyle and Jack Walsh (1-0) for Healy both 46m, Anthony Healy for C Leavy 53m.
FIRST ROUND
Meath manager Johnny Greville got his National Hurling League Div 2 campaign off to a winning start with a 1-20 to 1-10 first round victory against London at Trim on Saturday 24th January.
Meath featured four sets of brothers in the starting 15 and they all made big contributions with the Cole (Joey and Mikey), Ennis (Jarlath and Simon), Leavy (Conor and Mark) and Shine (Daire and Tom) all prominent.
Mikey Cole’s early goal was crucial as the sides went in level (1-5 to 08) at the interval.
Included also in the line up was goalkeeper Gavin King from the Na Fianna (Dublin) club and he saved a penalty.
Meath - Gavin King (0-1 one free); Conor Leavy (0-1), Daire Shine (02), Jarlath Ennis; Darragh Heffernan, Simon Ennis, Sean Geraghty; Lorcan Byrne, Tom
Shine (0-8 six frees); Damien Healy (0-1), Joey Cole (0-1), Eoin Donegan (0-2); Mark Leavy (0-2), Mikey Cole (1-2), Darren O’Higgins.
Subs - Sean Doyle for Donegan 60 mins, Cathal Barron for O’Higgins 63m, Jack Walsh for Healy 66m, Rory Fagan for M Cole 71m, Fergal Flynn for M Leavy 72m.
SECOND ROUND
Meath pushed their well-regarded neighbours Westmeath all the way in a thriller which took place at Cusasck Park, Mullingar on Sunday 8th February.
The hosts prevailed in the end by three points (0-25 to 1-19) in a what turned out to be a high scoring encournter.
Meath - Gavin King (1-1 one free, 10 penalty); Conor Leavy, Daire Shine, Jarlath Ennis; Cathal Barron (0-1), Simon Ennis, Sean Geraghty; Eoin Donegan, Joey Cole; Noah Conroy (0-3), Lorcan Byrne (0-1), Mark Leavy (0-9 six frees); Mikey Cole (0-2), Damien Healy, Darren O’Higgins (0-1).
Subs - Sean Doyle (0-1) for Barron 52 mins, Anthony Healy for Donegan 60m, Jack Walsh for D Healy 64m, Fergal Flynn for J Cole 67m.
THIRD ROUND
Meath overturned an eight-point half-time deficit in a hard fought 120 to 1-18 win over Derry on Sunday 22nd February at Trim. From the 10th minute to the 66th minute, Meath trailed Derry but the Royals out-scored the visitors by 0-7 to 0-1 subsequently to claim victory.
Meath - Gavin King (0-3 three frees); Jarlath Ennis (0-1), Daire Shine (0-1), Conor Leavey; Noah Conroy, Simon Ennis, Sean Geraghty; Eoin Donegan, Joey Cole (0-1); Tom Shine (0-4 four frees), Lorcan Byrne (1-3), Mark Leavy (05); Mikey Cole (0-2), Damien Healy, Darren O’Higgins.
Subs - Darragh Heffernan for Conroy half-time, Anthony Healy for C Leavy 39 mins, Jack Walsh for D Healy 71m, Fergal Flynn for J Ennis 74m.
FOURTH ROUND
Meath 0-20, Mayo 1-12
Meath did enough to get the verdict by 0-20 to 1-12 against Mayo at Tooreen on Saturday 28th February
Meath - Gavin King; Jarlath Ennis, Sean Geraghty, Anthony Healy; Noah Conroy, Daire Shine (0-1), Simon Ennis; Eoin Donegan (0-1), Lorcan O'Connor; Darren O'Higgins, Mark Leavy (0-4), Tom Shine (0-9 five frees, one '65'); Mikey Cole (0-3), Lorcan Byrne (01), Sean Doyle (0-1).
Subs - Fergal Flynn for Donegan 38 mins, Cathal Barron for Doyle 48m, Damien Healy for O'Higgins 57m, Darragh Heffernan for Conroy 60m, Joey Cole for O'Connor 61m.
FIFTH
ROUND
Laois posed too many questions for Meath with a 0-28 to 0-11 victory at O’Moore Park on Sunday 8th March.
Meath - Gavin King; Jarlath Ennis, Sean Geraghty, Anthony Healy; Noah Conroy, Daire Shine, Simon Ennis; Lorcan O’Connor, Joey Cole; Darren O’Higgins (0-2), Mark Leavy, Eoin Donegan; Tom Shine (0-9 eight frees), Mikey Cole, Lorcan Byrne.
Subs - Cathal Barron for M Cole, Damien Healy for Donegan and Darragh Heffernan for J Cole all 47 mins, Kyle Donnelly for Leavy 57m, Sean Doyle for Byrne 63m.
SIXTH ROUND
A goal in each half proved to be decisive for Kerry on the way to a 2-18 to 0-18 victory against Meath on Sunday 21st March at Trim. This game was a dress-rehearsal for the opening round of the Christy Ring Cup (see report on that game).
In mitigation, Meath were without some players who were on Under-20 duty on the same day.
Meath - Gavin King (0-1 free); Jarlath Ennis, Seán Geraghty, Lorcan O'Connor; Noah Conroy, Daire Shine (0-4 one free), Simon Ennis; Joey Cole (0-1), Eoin Donegan; Damien Healy (0-1), Tom Shine (0-6 five frees), Lorcan Byrne (0-2); Rory Fagan (0-1), Seán Doyle (0-1), Mikey Cole. Subs - Podge O’Hanrahan (0-1 ‘65’) for Fagan 36m, Sean Coloe for Doyle 55m, Jack Walsh for Donegan 61m, Kevin Mulligan for O’Connor 71m.
KEHOE CUP
Eoin Donegan in full control againt Laois. Photo Gerry Shanahan www.cyberimages.net
Johnny Greville issues instructions during a NHL game in Trim. Photo: Gerry Shanahan www.cyberimages.net
Meath falter at first Christy Ring Cup hurdle
By: Conall Collier
Kerry made a winning start on their return to the Christy Ring Cup with a 3-17 to 0-12 first round victory against Meath at Trim on Sunday.
This was a disappointing start for the Royal County who managed only six points in each half, but they will now focus on the challenge of a trip to Hyde Park, Roscommon next weekend for what is a must-win encounter.
On Sunday at Trim, windassisted Kerry raced into a 0-7 to 0-1 lead inside 10 minutes with points from Ronan Walsh (two), Evan Murphy, Liam Óg O’Connor, Tom Doyle, Jordan Brick and Ronan Walsh while Tom Shine got Meath on the scoreboard from a free.
Shine opened Meath’s account from play soon after, but Kerry piled on the points for a 0-9 to 0-2 first-quarter lead as Walsh (two frees) and Doyle split the posts. The pattern continued for the remainder of the half with Tom Shine sustaining Meath with four more points (three frees) but a 31st minute Kevin Goulding goal boosted Kerry to a 1-14 to 0-6 interval lead.
There was a brace apiece from Walsh (frees) and Brick plus a Michael Leane effort.
Meath resumed on the frontfoot and reduced the deficit to eight points (0-9 to 1-14) by the end of the third-quarter through Gavin King, Daire Shine and Joey Cole.
That was as good as it got for the hosts as Kerry netted through Brick and Michael Slattery with further points from Mikey Cole (two) and Tom Shine the only reward for Johnny Greville’s side.
TEAMS AND SCORERS
Meath – Gavin King (0-1 free); Jarlath Ennis, Sean Geraghty, Lorcan O’Connor; Eoin Donegan, Daire Shine (0-1), Noah Conroy; Simon Ennis, Joey Cole (0-1); Lorcan Byrne, Padraig O’Hanrahan, Tom Shine (0-7 four frees); Mikey Cole (0-2), Darren O’Higgins, Mark Leavy. Subs –Sean Coloe for Conroy half-time, Anthony Healy for Simon Ennis 50 mins, Sean Doyle for T Shine 70m.
Kerry – Conor Bohane; Eric Leen, Sean McGrath, Kyle O’Connor; James O’Connor (0-1), Jason Diggins, Michael Leane (0-1); Kevin Goulding (1-0), Evan Murphy (0-1); Jordan Brick (1-3), Ronan Walsh (0-8 six frees), Tom Doyle (0-2); Liam Óg O’Connor (0-1), Padraig Boyle, Hugh Lenihan. Subs – Michael Slattery (1-0) for Liam Óg O’Connor 46 mins, Gavin Dooley for Boyle 60m, Adam Segal for Goulding 65m, Darragh Slattery for McGrath and Luke Rochford for Brick both 70m.
Meath's Lorcan O'Connor in action during the Christy Ring Cup game.
Photo: Gerry Shanahan-www.cyberimages.net
/ www.cyberimages.net
www.cyberimages.net
The Meath footballers who were on duty at Croke Park on Sunday 29th March for the National Football League Div 2 final victory against Cork and will be focused on the next test this weekend when the Leinster Senior Football Championship throws-in.
Photo by Gerry Shanahan
Meath team vs London taken from the NHL game at St Loman's Park, Trim, County Meath.Back from left: Seán Doyle (Meath), Seán Geraghty (Meath), Damien Healy (Meath), Darragh Heffernan (Meath), Tom Condon (Meath), Mikey Cole (Meath), Cathal Barron (Meath), Lorcan O'Connor (Meath), Eoin Donegan (Meath), Anthony Healy (Meath), Joey Cole (Meath), Kevin Mulligan, Meath goalkeeper, Philip O'Brien and Darren O’Higgins (Meath).
Front from left: Daire Shine (Meath), Simon Ennis (Meath), Lorcan Byrne (Meath), Fergal Flynn (Meath), Tom Shine (Meath), Mark Leavy (Meath), Noah Conroy (Meath), Conor Leavy (Meath), Jack Walsh (Meath), Rory Fagan (Meath), Meath goalkeeper, Gavin King and Jarlaith Ennis (Meath).
Photo: Gerry Shanahan
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Challenging championship agenda for the Royal County
By: Conall Collier
Meath will bid for Ladies Leinster and Ladies AllIreland success 12 months on from a memorable 2025 that saw the Royal County appear in the Croke Park showpiece in early August.
Despite the disappointment of losing to Dublin, there was some compensation in the form of AllStar awards for four Meath players. There was a first award for Robyn Murray and Niamh Gallogly while Mary Kate Lynch picked up her second and Aoibhin Cleary got her hands on a third.
However, the departure of players to Australia will have an impact and Meath will be without Mary Kate Lynch, Vikki Wall, Orla Lally, Aoibhin Cleary and Sarah Wall.
Despite that, Meath manager Wayne Freeman and his selectors will be looking forward to the forthcoming championship action following a National Football
League campaign that handed the Royal County a first round fixture against Galway and that was followed by Dublin and Kerry.
A formidable challenge that saw Meath comfortably dispose of Dublin at Stamullen after an opening round defeat by Galway at Kells and a high-scoring reversal at Meath Hill when Kerry visited.
Meath went on to record a victory over Waterford with defeats by Cork and Kildare before a final round draw against Armagh that secured Div 1 status.
Galway and Cork contested the NFL Div 1 decider last Saturday while the Meath players will continue preparations for a Leinster SFC opener against Kildare on Sunday 26th April.
Kildare will have the pressure of expectation to deal with for that encounter after a 4-8 to 1-10 NFL Div 1 victory against the Royal County at the end of February.
It was a game where goals made the difference and Kildare managed two in each half with
Murnane finding the net.
A contributory factor also was the fact that Meath’s Sarah Wall was yellow-carded on 36 minutes and Niamh Gallogly was also sent to the sin-bin and that also helped
the Lilywhites earn a first win of the campaign, but it wasn’t sufficient for them to avoid relegation.
Meath will have lots of motivation to reverse the league result and make a winning start to the Leinster campaign and repeat
the form that brought a 2-14 to 116 victory 12 months ago.
There will be lost of optimism too for the challenge that Dublin will pose and that confidence will come from the 2-14 to 1-4 league victory where Ciara Smyth delivered a player-of-the-match performance and tallied 1-4 as did Emma Duggan.
Meath can also take positives out of the performance-in-defeat against Kerry where Duggan and Smyth claimed 11 points between them with Orlaith Sheehy and Orla Finnegan scoring a goal apiece. The same sentiments can be attributed to the performance against Cork where, despite a defeat, there was lots of positives in the second-half performance where Duggan and Marion Farrelly found the net.
Farrelly contributed an equalising point in the final round of the league to earn a draw with an Armagh side that will provide opposition in the opening round of the All-Ireland series on 7th June.
Gillian Wheeler, Mayah Doyle, Alannah Prizeman and Aoife
Meadhbh Byrne makes a clean get away against Waterford.
Photo: Gerry Shanahan www.cyberimages.net
Meath Herald Stats - Ladies Football Journey to the Championship
NFL DIV 1
FIRST ROUND
Not a good start for Meath on Sunday 25th January as Galway emerged with a 0-16 to 0-8 victory. Stormy conditions were the norm for the opening game that was originally fixed for Summerhill but transferred to Kells (Grangegodden) as the officials of Gaeil Colmcille pulled out all the stops to facilitate the fixture at short notice.
Meath - Robyn Murray; Aine Sheridan, Mary Kate Lynch, Olivia Gore; Orla Smith, Sarah Wall, Katie Bermingham; Orlaigh Sheehy, Niamh Gallogly (0-1); Megan Thynne (0-1), Ciara Smyth, Marion Farrelly; Emma Duggan (0-3 one free), Rachel Casserly (0-1), Meadhbh Byrne (0-1).
Subs - Orla Finnegan (0-1) for Byrne and Lara O'Neill for Smyth both 41 mins, Ciara Lawlor for Farrelly 43m, Amy Gaffney for Gore 47m, Lauren Woods for Smith 52m, Meena McConnell for Duggan 53m, Orlaith Mallon for Casserly 60m.
SECOND ROUND
It was a completely different scenario a week later when Dublin made the short journey to Stamullen as St Patrick’s GAA club hosted a second round encounter on the Bank Holiday Monday (2nd February).
Meath turned on the style and prevailed by 2-14 to 1-4 with an excellent performance.
Meath – Robyn Murray; Aine Sheridan, Mary Kate Lynch, Amy Gaffney; Orla Smith, Sarah Wall, Katie Bermingham (0-1); Orlaith Sheehy, Niam Gallogly (0-2); Megan Thynne, Ciara Smyth (1-4), Marion Farrelly (0-2); Emma Duggan (1-4), Orla Finnegan, Meadbh Byrne.
Subs – Rachel Casserly (0-1) for Finnegan 40 mins, Lauren Woods for Byrne 46m, Ciara Lawlor for Smith 49m, Aoife Farrell for Thynne
and Meena McConnell for Duggan both 56m.
THIRD ROUND
Another new venue as the Meath Hill GAA club welcomed intercounty football on Sunday 8th February with Kerry shading the verdict by 4-10 to 2-12.
Meath- Robyn Murray; Aine Sheridan, Mary Kate Lynch, Olivia Gore; Ciara Lawlor, Sarah Wall, Katie Bermingham; Orlaith Sheehy (1-0), Niamh Gallogly; Sinead Murphy, Ciara Smyth (0-4), Marion Farrelly; Emma Duggan (0-7 two frees), Orla Finnegan (1-0), Meadbh Byrne (01).
Subs - Lara O'Neill for Murphy 25 mins, Karla Kealy for Gore and Rachel Casserly for Byrne both 37m, Orla Smith for Lawlor 43m, Alannah Reilly for Bermingham 55m.
FOURTH ROUND
Meath travelled to Dungarvan on Sunday 22nd February and edged out hosts Waterford by 1-9 to 0-10 in a tight encounter.
Meath - Robyn Murray; Áine Sheridan, Mary Kate Lynch, Karla Kealy; Sinead Murphy, A Gaffney, Katie Bermingham; Orlaith Sheehy, Niamh Gallogly (0-1); Marion Farrelly (0-2), Ciara Smyth, Megan Thynne; Emma Duggan, Rachel Casserly (0-3), Orla Finnegan (1-0)
Subs - Sarah Wall for Gaffney 20 mins, Meadbh Byrne (0-3) for Finnegan half-time, Lauren Woods for Murphy 40m, Alannah Reilly for Farrelly 47m, Orla Smith for Casserly 48m, Orlaith Mallon for Duggan 57m.
FIFTH ROUND
Kildare prevailed with a merited 4-8 to 1-10 win against Meath on Saturday 28th February at Hawkfield where two goals in each half were crucial as the hosts established a 2-6 to 0-4 interval advantage.
Meath - Robyn Murray; Áine Sheridan, Orla Smith, Karla Kealy; Sinead Murphy, Sarah Wall, Katie
Subs – Mary Kate Lynch for O Smith and Ciara Smyth for Finnegan both half-time, Lauren Woods for Farrelly 40 mins, C Lawlor for Kealy 48m, Meena McConnell for Byrne 49m, Alannah Reilly for Murphy 50m, Olivia Gore for Sheehy 52m, Aoife Farrell for Bermingham 56m.
SIXTH
ROUND
Cork earned a final ticket with a 4-8 to 2-12 victory against Meath at MTU on Saturday 21st March.
Subs - Meadhbh Byrne for Woods 41 mins, Sinead Murphy for Casserly and Mary Kate Lynch for Gore both 42m, Clodagh Millington for Lawlor and Orla Finnegan for Sheehy both 47m, Orla Smith for Farrell 51m.
SEVENTH ROUND
Meath earned a draw (0-11 to 1-8) with Armagh on Sunday 29th March at Summerhill when Marion Farrelly pointed in added-time. That point and the subsequent result was sufficient to avoid relegation for the Royal County Ladies.
Meath - Aoibheann Corcoran; Karla Kealy, Áine Sheridan, Mary Kate Lynch; Sinead Murphy, Olivia Gore, Katie Bermingham; Orlaith Sheehy, Niamh Gallogly; Megan Thynne, Ciara Smyth (0-1), Marion Farrelly (0-3); Emma Duggan (0-2 frees), Lauren Woods, Rachel Casserly (04).
Subs - Amy Gaffney for Sheridan 38 mins, Meadhbh Byrne (0-1) for Woods 42m, Orla Finnegan for Murphy 52m, Kerrie Cole for Sheehy 57m.
Rachel Casserly keeps possession despite the attention from Kerry players. Photo: Gerry Shanahan www.cyberimages.net
Meath Herald Stats - Camogie Journey to the Championship
NATIONAL CAMOGIE LEAGUE DIV 2A
FIRST ROUND
Manager Stephen Shiel made a winning start in his first game in charge with a 2-9 to 1-6 victory against hosts Westmeath at St Loman’s, Mullingar on Saturday 14th February.
The new manager is a former Carlow hurler and took over the role in the Royal County last November after a stint at the helm of Sligo hurlers.
Meath - Maggie Randle; Sophia Payne, Maeve Clince, Rachel Moran; Leah Devine, Abbye Donnelly, Rachel O'Neill; Isabel O'Connor (0-1), Erin Leddy (0-1); Aoife Carey (0-1 free), Ellen Burke, Roisin Heaney (0-4 two frees, two ‘45s’); Olivia O'Halloran (1-0), Ciara Foley, Emma Regan (1-2). SubsElla O'Brien for O'Halloran 50 mins, Grace Connolly for Burke 59m.
SECOND ROUND
In what turned out to be a dressrehearsal for the final, Kerry edged out Meath by two points (2-10 to 111) at the Meath GAA Centre of Excellence, Dunganny on Saturday 21st February.
Eventually it was two first-half goals that proved to be crucial for the visiting Kingdom team. In the end Meath unfortunately came up
just short in what was a thrilling encounter.
Meath - Maggie Randle; Sophia Payne, Maeve Clince, Blathnaid Hughes; Leah Devine, Abbye Donnelly (0-1), Rachel O’Neill (01); Isabel O’Connor (0-1), Erin Leddy; Aoife Carey (0-2 one free), Ellen Burke, Roisin Heaney (0-3 two frees, one ‘45’); Ella O’Brien, Ciara Foley (1-1), Emma Regan (0-2).
Subs - Olivia O’Halloran for Burke 27 mins, Aoibhinn Lally for Devine, Rachel Moran for Hughes and Brodie Kelly for Foley all 53m.
THIRD ROUND
The Royal County turned in a dominant display and came away as comfortable winners in the end with a double scores (2-16 to 1-8) victory against Laois on Saturday 28th February. Emma Regan and Ella O'Brien both had a very good day with impressive scoring.
National Camogie League Div 2A final against Kerry in difficult conditions, Meath management, players, officials and supporters will focus on the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship.
Manager Stephen Sheil will be aiming to carry some momentum from the Div 2A campaign into the Championship and that is something he outlined when he was appointed to the role last November.
“The job appealed to me because I knew the potential within the group. You can see there is a real hunger to push the standards and move this group on,” he commented.
“It was the right environment for me to step into with players who want to work, want honesty and are open to improvement. It is a challenge worth taking on and it’s exciting,” he added.
While he would have been disappointed to lose the Div 2A final by two points (0-8 to 1-7), there was enough evidence to suggest that this Meath team has the potential mentioned by the manager to go all the way to the AllIreland decider and possibly avenge the reversal if Kerry also make it to the decider.
Meath and Kerry are in separate groups and the Munster women will be eager to make amends for year’s final defeat by Offaly, but they will face a stern test to emerge from a Groups that also contains Down, Antrim and Derry.
Eight teams will be vying for the title and a place in the senior grade for 2027. Two groups of four will see Meath face Westmeath, Carlow and Laois in Group 2 while Group 1 will feature Kerry, Down, Derry and Antrim (see fixtures below).
Meath will approach the qualifying phase with confidence in their own ability to top the Group at the expense of Westmeath, Laois and Carlow.
Meath will begin the campaign at home against Westmeath on the weekend of 23rd/24th May before away trips to Laois (6th / 7th June) and Carlow (13th / 14th June).
PLAYERS
The following players have featured for Meath in Div 2A: Roisin Heaney,
came away with a four point victory with the scoreboard showing a 2-12 to 1-11 win against Derry on Saturday 7th March.
Subs - Aoife Carey for O’Brien 42 mins, Grace Coleman for Foley, Katie Connolly for Payne and Erin Leddy for Lally all 55m, Aisling Byrne for O’Neill 57m.
FIFTH ROUND
O’Connor (0-1), Ellen Burke; Olivia O’Halloran (0-1), Aoife Carey (0-2), Roisin Heaney (0-2 frees); Ella O’Brien (1-1), Ciara Foley (0-2), Emma Regan (1-2).
Subs - Aoibhin Lally for Heaney 42 mins, Grace Coleman (0-2 frees) for Foley 50m, Grace Connolly (0-1) for Burke 52m, Brodie Kelly for Carey 58m.
FOURTH ROUND
Meath had a rip-roaring encounter in this fourth round match and
Meath then went on and sealed their place in the final with a hard fought 0-17 to 1-14 draw against bottom-of-the-table Carlow who travelled to Ashbourne on Saturday 21st March.
Meath - Maggie Randle; Sophia Payne, Maeve Clince, Rachel Moran; Leah Devine, Abbye Donnelly (0-1), Rachel O'Neill; Aoibhin Lally, Ellen Burke (0-1); Olivia O'Halloran (0-4), Aoife Carey (0-1 free), Roisin Heaney (0-4 two frees, one ‘45’); Ella O'Brien (0-1), Ciara Foley, Emma Regan (0-3).
Subs - Grace Connolly for Lally 26 mins, Anna Kane for Heaney 44m, Grace Coleman (0-1) for Foley 51m, Katie Connolly (0-1) for Carey 55m, Erin Leddy for Payne 57m.
Sat 23rd / Sun 24th May – Meath v Westmeath; Laois v Carlow; Kerry v Down; Derry v Antrim. Sat 6th / Sun 7th June – Laois v Meath; Westmeath v Carlow; Antrim v Kerry; Down v Derry. Sat 13th / Sun 14th June – Carlow v Meath; Westmeath v Laois; Kerry v Derry; Down v Antrim.
Emma Regan of Meath and Niamh McConville of Down Meath’s Aoife Carey in action against Offaly’s Faye Mulrooney
Meath's Isabel O’Connor battles for possession against Roisin Quinn of Kerry in the National Camogie League DIV 2A final.
Meath Camogie Manager Stephen Shiel.
Meath players go through their pre match warm up before taking on Kerry in the National Camogie League Div 2A final.
Ella O'Brien weighing up her options Aoife Carey evades Patrice Diggins of Kerry
Meath mangaer Stephen Shiel
Delaney's Bar
Merited award for Meath and Skryne player Ciara Smyth
Meath’s O’Connor Cup historymaker Ciara Smyth has been honoured with The Croke Park Hotel/Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) Player of the Month award for March following impressive performances.
Ciara was a key member of the TU Dublin team that won the prestigious AIG O’Connor Cup title for the first time with victory over DCU Dóchas Éireann on Saturday 14th March.
From the Skryne club, 21-year-old Ciara was superb across the competition for the newly-crowned champions.
In the month of March, she contributed five points, including four from play, as TU Dublin defeated UCC on 4th March after extra-time in a gripping semi-final.
Not content with qualifying for the AIG O’Connor Cup Final for the first time, TU Dublin claimed a historic victory against DCU Dóchas Éireann to deny the hosts a fourth successive crown.
In a 0-12 to 2-4 victory, Ciara delivered a Player of the Match performance and contributed four points, which included three from frees, as TU Dublin got over the line.
Ciara’s exploits earned her a place on the 2026 AIG HEC All-Star selection, with the awards handed out last month at the Bonnington Dublin Hotel.
By the time she first started playing thirdlevel football, Ciara already had three seasons under her belt in the Meath senior
set-up -picking up a brace of TG4 All-Ireland senior football championship crowns as a panel member in 2021 and 2022.
She was also part of the Meath squad that secured Division 1 and Division 2 Lidl National Football League titles in the same period.
This year, Ciara was on the scoresheet during Meath’s Lidl National Football League fixtures against Cork and Armagh in March, as the Royal County preserved top flight status.
The focus for Ciara and Meath will now switch to the forthcoming TG4 Leinster Senior Football Championship and the AllIreland SFC campaigns.
Ciara was presented with her award by Exaucer Makivila, Meetings and Events Executive, The Croke Park Hotel.
New-Look for Páirc Tailteann by 2027
This marks a significant milestone in the delivery of improved facilities
By: Conall Collier
Meath GAA announced in January (2026) that contracts had been signed for the redevelopment of the stand at Páirc Tailteann, marking a significant milestone in the delivery of improved facilities for players, members, supporters and the wider community.
The public contract signing took place on Saturday, 10th January at Páirc Tailteann with invited representatives from the GAA, local public representatives and key stakeholders in attendance.
Co Board chairman Jason Plunkett, welcomed Ministers Helen McEntee and Thomas Byrne and other officials, guests and friends of Meath GAA for the contract signing with SISK for the redevelopment of the stadium.
Mr Plunkett commented “This marks a landmark moment for Meath GAA and for the people of this county as we formally sign the contract to commence the redevelopment of Páirc
Tailteann, We are delighted to formally partner with Sisk, Ireland’s leading building contractor.
“Sisk brings unparalleled experience to this project,
including the construction of our national stadium, Croke Park.
“Their proven track record, expertise, and understanding of major sporting infrastructure, give us great confidence as we
move into the construction phase of the project, with the project being managed by KSNPM on behalf of Meath GAA,” added the chairman in a wide-ranging speech.
Preparatory work on-going last week at an advanced stage at Páirc Tailteann in Navan for the redevelopment of the ground with the old stand demolished and cleared to get ready for the construction phase of the new-look stadium scheduled to open in 2027. Photo by: Conall Collier.
NOEL DEMPSEY
“Páirc Tailteann holds a special place in the sporting and cultural life of our county,” commented Páirc Tailteann CLG Chairperson, Noel Dempsey.
“This redevelopment represents a major investment in its future and will strengthen the stadium’s role as a focal point for games, community events and county pride.
“We are grateful to everyone who has supported this project, and we are pleased to reach this milestone,” he added.
SHANE GLYNN
“Sisk is proud to be delivering the redevelopment of the stand at Páirc Tailteann, stated SISK Regional Director Shane Glynn.
“Having completed the redevelopment of Croke Park over
25 years ago and more recently Páirc Uí Chaoimh, we recognise the cultural significance of the stadium to the local community and the benefits that the redevelopment will have for future generations to come.
“We look forward to beginning works on site with our local supply chain partners and delivering the stand to highest possible standards,” he added.
The initial work involved removal of the roof before any demolition work began with the construction of a 5,000-seater stand and the installation of high quality floodlights the ultimate goal
The opening of the new-look Páirc Tailteann is projected towards the end of the first half of 2027.
NEW OPEL GRANDLAND
The old stand (below and now demolished) at Páirc Tallteann and an image (from Meath GAA Co Board) of the new stand (above) which will be constructed as part of the major redevelopment and refurbishment of the iconic stadium with opening plannedfor 2027.
At the signing of the contract in January were Meath Co Board chairman Jason Plunkett (left), Páirc Tailteann CLG Chairperson Noel Dempsey and Sisk Regional Director Shane Glynn.
LEINSTER SFC QUARTER FINALS
Sunday
Aaron Lynch get his shot away against Tyrone. Photo: Gerry Shanahan
Continued from Page 1
As part of the programme, €13 million has been allocated for the major refurbishment and expansion of Navan Fire Station Headquarters, alongside €2.8 million for works at Oldcastle Fire Stationandfundingforone new fire appliance for Meath.
Theannouncementforms
part of a national €328.5 million Fire Services Capital Programme, the largest investment in fire service infrastructure ever madebytheState,aimedat strengthening emergency response capacity, improvingfirefightersafety, andensuringstationsarefit for purpose for the communitiestheyserve.
Navan Fire Station has beenidentifiedasanational priority project for the period 2026–2030. The allocated funding will support the delivery of a replacement headquarters facilityontheexistingsite, ensuring continuity of service throughout the constructionphase.
A detailed feasibility and concept design has already been completed by Meath County Council, demonstrating the authority’spreparednessto advance the project. The proposed development will provide:
Subjecttodetaileddesign andstatutoryprocesses,the provisional timeline anticipates planning in 2026 and commencement ofconstructioninlate2027.
In addition to the Navan project, €2.8 million has been allocated for investment in Oldcastle Fire Station, supporting necessary refurbishment and upgrade works to improve resilience and operational capacity in the north-westofthecounty.
Meath County Council has also been allocated funding for one new fire appliance, further strengthening frontline response capability and aligning with the Fire Authority’s fleet renewal programme.
Commenting on the announcement,Cllr.Wayne Harding, Cathaoirleach of MeathCountyCouncil,said “This is a very significant investmentinthesafetyand resilience of our communities."
He continued "The upgrade of Navan Fire Station HQ in particular reflects its strategic importance as the county’s principal fire headquarters andensuresourfirefighters have facilities that match
The announcement forms part of a national €328.5 million Fire Services Capital Programme, the largest investment in fire service infrastructure ever made by the State
the critical role they performeveryday.”
Meath County Council Chief Executive Kieran Kehoe added: “The confirmation of funding recognises the extensive preparatory work already carried out by Meath County Council. These projects will enhance operational effectiveness, firefighter welfare, and emergency response times, while future-proofing services for a growing county.”
The Fire Services Capital Programme 2026–2030 provides funding for fire stations, appliances and specialistequipmentacross all local authority fire services, supporting the implementation of the national Fire Services Development and PerformanceFramework.
Meath’s allocations reflect identified service priorities, population growth, and the strategic role of Navan as the county’s fire service headquarters.
Cllr Stephen McKee alongside Hugh Doogan, Chairperson of Duleek-Bellewstown GFC, and Shane Bowe of EuroSpar Duleek at the launch of the Duleek-Bellewstown GFC 100 Club Draw. The 100 Club Draw is limited to 100 Members and replaces the old Club Lotto and will kick-off on April 27th with the first Draw. There will be a monthly Draw with prize money of 500 euro. There is still time to sign up online at www.duleekbellewstowngfc.com
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Charles Campbell and the modern history of Newgrange
Aportrait of Charles Campbell who was responsible for the modern discovery of Newgrange was sold at Adams Auctioneers last December. The modern historyofNewgrangebegan on 14th August 1699 when CharlesCampbelltookouta 99 year lease on the lands aroundNewgrangre.
Campbell was one of the new landowners who appearedaftertheBattleof the Boyne in 1690. Campbell put the overgrownmoundtouseas a source of stones for fencing and roadwork. In 1699, workers gathering stones discovered the magnificententrancestone.
Subsequent digging revealed the entrance passage and the inner chamber.
Welsh antiquarian, Edward Lhwyd, who was staying in the area, was alertedandtookaninterest inthemonument.Thereare some indications that the mound may have been
opened on Lhwyd’s instructions;oneofthelost Lhwydnotebooksissaidto have indicated that he arrangedtheopeningofthe mound. He wrote an account of the mound and itstomb,describingwhathe saw as its "barbarous sculpture" and noting that animal bones, beads, and pieces of glass had been found inside of it. Two published descriptions of themoundandpassageway, as they stood in his time, have survived. Lhuyd acknowledged that Newgrange did resemble Danish monuments but he usedthefindoftheRoman coinstodatethemonument as being pre-Viking and likely the work of the “old Irish.”
Soonanotherantiquarian visitor, Sir Thomas Molyneux, professor at TrinityCollege,alsocameto the site. He talked to Charles Campbell, who informed him that he had found the remains of two humancorpsesinthetomb, one(whichwasmale)inone ofthecisternsandanother farther along the passageway,somethingthat Lhwydhadnotnoted.
Charles Campbell was bornabout1640.Hisfather, alsoCharlesCampbell,was aCaptaininMontgomery’s regimentin1641servingto putdownthePhelimO’Neill rebellion. Charles and his brother, Hugh, acquired landsaroundDonaghdeein County Down in service to their Montgomery kin.
Charles Campbell, whose family then became intermarried with the Caldwells, had three sons born in the 1630's, in County Down: David, the oldest who was styled “of Cumber,”HughCampbellof Donaghdee, and Charles Campbell, of Donaghdee andNewtonwhobecamean M.P.forNewtonin1661.
TheCampbellsfledtothe Isle of Man, with in 1688, whenthey were threatened by the Catholic Dublin ParliamentofJamesII.
Hugh and Charles had become lawyers and handled estates and real estate transactions for personsinseveralcounties.
Charles, particularly increasingly managed
Meath auctioneer takes the Future Leader in Property prize
A fifth-generation auctioneerfromMeathhas taken home the Future LeaderinPropertyprizeat a prestigious national awardsceremony.
Elliott Potterton of REA T E Potterton, based in Trim Co Meath, received the accolade at the Business Post National Property Awards in the InterContinental Hotel, Ballsbridge. The award recognises emerging talents who demonstrate leadership, ambition and impact within Ireland’s propertysector.
Judges said that Elliott demonstrates a commercial maturity beyond his years which has enabled him to identify and negotiate several complex and high value property transactions.
The event is Ireland’s leading property award ceremony, created to celebrate and champion individuals and organisations who display excellence within the property sector. REA, the nationwide group of property
professionals, and its member offices, were shortlisted across five categories.
“I wouldn’t have been abletodohalfofwhatI’ve done, let alone win, without the influence of my dad, he’s very supportive and is always there for much-needed advice,”saidMrPotterton.
“Beingafifth-generation auctioneer in the family, it’s in the blood and I absolutely love getting up every day to go to work. I’ve been working in the familybusinessforthelast
inCo.Meath,between1702 and1703.
He was made a commissionerofroads.Just nineyearsaftertheBattleof the Boyne (on 14 August 1699) Alice Moore, Countess of Drogheda, leased the lands of Newgrange to Charles Campbell for 99 years.
Campbell set about developing his estate by constructing a great house and improving the landscape of his demesne. Ignoring locals’claims that thehillwasnoordinaryhill, butanancientsacredplace anditwouldbebadluckto disturb it, he had his workmen dig into the nearby mound looking for road rock. The labourers soon discovered the entrancetothetomb.
matters in Dublin and acquiredofficesandatown houseinDublin.Aftertheir return to Ireland upon the defeat of James II by William III, in July, 1690, and after the Treaty of Limerick in 1691, Charles began to acquire forfeited estates as an owner and others, initially as a tenant thenlaterownerintheearly 1690's.
With offices on Capel Street, he dramatically increased his fortune by becoming an owner of forfeited estates, purchasing over 3,100 acres, lands amounting to 824 acres in Co. Antrim, 1,236acresinCo.Cavan,59 acresinCo.Dublin,41acres inCo.Louthand966acres
Charles Campbell preparedthefirstgenealogy ofthefamilyandobtaineda coat of arms for the Irish branch of the house of Skeldon. Cambell married Katherine Tisdall of Charlesfort, Kells, in 1686 inDublin.
He died in February or veryearlyMarch1714/1715. He left a widow named Katherine, four children born between about 1658 and 1670, property in at least three counties and a will. An estate inventory wasdoneinMarch,1714/15, recorded on March 31, 1714/1715. Intimate details of Campbell’s life are preserved in the Caldwell Papers, thanks to the marriage of his sister,
Catherine, to his law partner,AndrewCaldwell. The Caldwell Papers, unfortunately did not describethecontentsofhis 1714/15 will in detail, indicatingonlythathehad at four sons; John, who lived mostly in Dublin but hadotherpropertiesaswell, Hugh, who succeeded his uncle,DavidatCumber,an unnamed son who never marriedanddiedrelatively young at sea. His only daughter, Anne, tragically fell to her death from a scaffold near Westminster Abbey during the coronationofKingGeorgeI in 1714, leading to the dramaticlegalfightoverthe subsequentinheritance. Letters confirm that Campbell’s wife, Katherine was in London in 1705–1706 seeking medical treatment from Dr. Hans Sloane.Thispresenceinthe capital coincides with the activities of artist Edward Luttrell,whoranapopular portraitraffle.Itispossible that Campbell, through a commission or a lucky draw, may have sat for a portrait by Luttrell, potentiallysponsoredbyhis friend and kinsman, Hugh Montgomery, 2nd Earl of Mount Alexander. Edward Luttrell(c.1650–1737)was a British artist noted for pioneeringtheuseofpastels onpreparedcopperplates. The portrait was supposedly from Charlesfort House, Kells, and was sold at Usher’s auctions,Kells,in2019.
five years, mostly dealing withagriculturallandand developmentland.
“Iamfromafamilyfarm and it gives you an appreciationforhowmuch itmeanstobuyland,when you buy a farm, you’re buying for future generationstopassdown.”
REA was also in the running for Irish Agency
of the Year, Marketing Team of the Year, Social Media Campaign of the Year and Property Management Company of the Year.
“Elliott’s win, and our recognition across the categories, shows the strengthofREA–wearea thirdforceintheindustry with a different structure
andapproachtobusiness,” said REA Chairman John Stokes.
“Our members each bring decades of property knowledgeandexperience in all facets of the market tothetable,culminatingin our accurate average house price index which sets the national agenda onaquarterlybasis.”
Noel French Local Historian
Meath County Council Launches Civic Dollars App to Reward Time Spent Outdoors and Support Local Community Groups
Meath County Council isproud to announce the launch of Civic Dollars, an innovativeappthatrewards residentsforspendingtime outdoors in Meath’s beautiful community spaces.
The initiative encourages healthier lifestyles, builds communityconnection,and offers people the opportunitytosupportlocal organisations simply by enjoying their parks, beaches and other local amenities.
The Civic Dollars app allowsuserstoearnvirtual “Civic Dollars” by checking in at designated outdoor locations throughout the county.
Activities such as being outdoors,walking,running, cycling,andparticipatingin community events all help residents build credit that can be redeemed for rewardsordonatedtolocal groups.
Community and voluntary organisations in Meath can directly benefit fromtheapp:residentscan donatetheirCivicDollarsto local groups, which can then exchange them for practicalsupports.
Thisinitiativealignswith Meath County Council’s commitment to strengthening community engagementandsupporting healthy living across the county,echoingthegoalsof Healthy Meath, Meath
LCDC and Meath PPN and other wellbeing programmes.
The initiative is supported through the Healthy Ireland Fund Round 4, funded by the DepartmentofHealth,with
further funding through MeathPPN,andisoverseen by the Meath Local Community and Development Committee (LCDC).
Markingthelaunchofthe Civic Dollars app, Cathaoirleach of Meath CountyCouncilCllrWayne Hardingsaid“CivicDollars is about strengthening communitylifeinMeath.It rewards people for getting involvedlocally,supporting one another, and taking positivestepsfortheirown health and wellbeing while building stronger, more connectedcommunities.”
“This initiative turns simple outdoor activities into meaningful contributionstocommunity wellbeing. A win for residents, community groups, and the environment,” said Nicky McDonnell PPN CoordinatorforMeath.
Welcoming the collaborative approach, Aisling O’Donnell Healthy County Coordinator for Meath said “Strong communities are central to good mental health. Civic Dollars helps create opportunities for connection, purpose, and prevention,whicharekeyto supporting positive mental healthandwellbeingacross allages.”
CivicDollarsisfreetouse and accessible to all. For moreinformationandtoget started, visit meath.ie or download the Civic Dollars appfromyourappstore.
“Civic Dollars represents afreshandexcitingwayto encourage people to spend time outdoors and explore Meath’s public spaces, while at the same time supporting the voluntary groups that are the backbone of our communities,” commented SeamusMcGee,Chairofthe Meath Local Community and Development Committee.
Fish kill 'biggest blow' to rewilding project
By: Louise
Afish kill, involving 200 juvenile brown trout in Meath has been described as the 'biggest blow' to a 12-year ongoingrewildingproject.
The Inland Fisheries Ireland has confirmed it is investigating a fish kill along one kilometer of the RiverSkane,nearDunsany Castle.
It has ruled out all potential sources of contamination and say therehasbeennoevidence of significant slurry spreading or pesticide use in the vicinity. Analysis of water samples are underway. The kill doesn't seemtohaveaffectedother fishintheriver.
The incident has been described as 'very disappointing' by Randal Plunkett, 21st Baron of Dunsany, who began a rewildingprojectonpartof hisestateoveradecadeago.
"We'vebeenworkingreally hardwithbiodiversitythere inthelastfewyears. When I started, there was almost nolifeintheriverandnow we have seen trout come back,"hesaid.
"Lastyear,westartedthe waterways rewilding project with the Inland Fisheries and the OPW(Office of Public
Works) and we have seen salmon return as well as otters,ducksandeveneels."
"And then I got a call fromoneofourpeoplelast Tuesday and they had spotted dead fish. The Inland Fisheries have counted 200 dead bodies andIdon'tknowifthereare morethanthatbutI'dsayit islikely."
Plunkett added that one or two fish were seen in difficulty, 'almost choking' the previous Friday but therewerenodeadfish.
He further rcommented "It's very disappointing because it shows how quickly a lot of work to improve something can be destroyed. Thesilverlining isthatthereisstillsomelife
stilltheresoithasn'tkilled everything.
He also thanked the Inland Fisheries Ireland and Meath Co. Council for theirfastresponse.
"Ican'tgivethemenough credit for the speed in which they came here and how seriously they are handling it. They are investigating at present. We can't give any more information because we actually don't know ourselvesyet."
Thekillwasspreadovera large section of the river that runs through the woodlandalongthecastle.
"Something has come in from a neighbouring area and has caused this. I can say with absolute confidence that in the 12 years that we have been doing this (rewilding), this isthebiggestblowtonature I'veseen."
(IFI), in collaboration with Meath County Council, has been carrying out investigations throughout the Skane River catchment following reports of a fish mortalityevent.
"IFI staff have been onsiteeachdaysinceTuesday when initial reports were received. It is estimated that approximately 200 juvenile brown trout were killedovera1kmstretchof river. Substantial numbers of live fish have also been observedwithintheaffected area."
"Potential sources of contamination that may have contributed to the incident, including feeder tributaries, have been thoroughlyinvestigated.To date,allidentifiedpotential sources have been ruled out."
"Furthermore, there has been no evidence of significantslurryspreading or pesticide use in the vicinity."
Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council Cllr Wayne Harding at the launch of Civic Dollars.
Walsh
A fish kill involving 200 juvenile brown trout at the River Skane has been described as a "Major Blow" to the rewilding project. Photo: Inland Fisheries Ireland.
Opel Frontera fuels growth as German brand celebrates first quarter results
The all-new Opel Frontera, which launched in Ireland just ahead of the 261registration plate, has fuelled strong passenger cargrowthforOpelIreland of +31.9% in the first quarterof2026.
Indeed,thenewFrontera compact SUV has struck a chord with customers across Ireland, evidenced byits859registrations,and placingthemodelinthetop twenty best-selling models (No. 17) in Ireland this year. The strong Opel Frontera performance has thus culminated in a combined passenger car and light commercial vehicle share of 3.5% year to date, returning the German brand to the overall top ten sales chart in2026.
Available in three trims and in five-seat or sevenseat guise, the capacious newcomer to the Opel stable boasts a striking, ruggeddesign,packagedin a range of bright new colours and powered by efficient petrol hybrid and all-electric drivetrains. It retails from €24,606 inclusive of grants for the all-electricversion,orfrom
€27,995 for the efficient petrol hybrid powertrain, representing excellent valueforfamilymotorists.
James Brooks, Opel IrelandManagingDirector, said: “The new Opel Frontera was always
destined to become a firm Irish family favourite from launch, and it is indeed gratifyingtoseeitenterthe top twenty best-selling models this year from a standing start. Our new Fronteracomeswithafive-
year warranty and offers families a stylish, efficient package and true value for money at a time when keeping motoring costs under control is so imperative.”
Proudly bearing the new Opel blitz emblem in the centre of the Opel Vizor frontface,themodernlook and feel continues in the interiorwherecleverdesign meets comfort and family practicality. Featuring wide-openingreardoorsto allow easy access for passengers and baby seats, up to 460 litres of luggage can be stored in the boot, and up to 1,594 litres with theseatsfoldeddown.
Customers who need to takeevenmoreluggagecan avail of optional roof rails.
A 60/40 split rear bench seatandasecondloadfloor ensure additional versatilityforfamilies.
Efficientineveryway,the newFronteraispoweredby a choice of two petrol
The new Opel Frontera was always destined to become a firm Irish family favourite from launch
hybridversions(110PSand 145PS) and two all-electric versions; a 44kW 113PS 300kmrangeversionanda 54kW 113PS 400km range version.
With the launch of new Frontera in late 2025, together with the new Mokka SUV and new Grandland SUV, both launched in 2025, Opel boasts one of the freshest SUVlineupsonthemarket. For further information on the Opel Frontera contactNavanOpelon046 9023456.
Rugged, spacious and ultra-modern, the all-new Opel Frontera retails from €24,606 inclusive of grants and has entered the Top Twenty sales charts in Ireland in 2026.
Jeep Avenger CDV Named Car-Derived
Jeep Ireland isproudto announce that the Jeep Avenger Car-Derived Van (CDV) has been awarded Car-Derived Van of the Year 2026 in association with Continental Tyres, following a gala awards ceremony held at the Conrad Hotel in Dublin recently.
The Avenger was selectedfollowingavoteby 13 of Ireland’s most experienced commercial vehiclejournalistswhoare members of the Motoring
Media Association of Ireland(MMAI).
Theawardhighlightsthe AvengerCDV’sexceptional blend of capability, efficiency and versatility for commercial users and fleetcustomers.
Available in both 100% electric (BEV) and Hybrid powertrains, the Avenger CDV delivers true Jeep DNA thanks to its unique combination of style, functionality, technology and all-weather and allterrain capability.
the Jeep Avenger Car-Derived Van (CDV) has been awarded Car-Derived Van of the Year 2026 in association with Continental Tyres, following a gala awards ceremony held at the Conrad Hotel in Dublin
Jeep’s next-generation powertrains provide low running costs, impressive payloadcapacityandclever load-space usability. Its advanced safety and driver-assistance technologiesalsosetanew benchmarkinthesegment.
Speaking about the award, John Saunders, ManagingDirectoratJeep Ireland, said: “We are delighted to see the Jeep Avenger CDV recognised with this prestigious title. It captures exactly what Irish businesses are looking for, a dependable, stylish and economical solution that doesn’t compromiseoncapability.”
Jeephasbeentheglobal leader in SUVs for more than 80 years, delivering legendary off-road capability, advanced technologyandexceptional
versatility for those who seek adventure. With a commitment to innovation, Jeep offers a diverse lineup of vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, hybridtechnologyandallelectricdrivetrains.
Built on a heritage of freedom, adventure, authenticity and passion, Jeep continues to set the standard for rugged, yet refined vehicles designed toconqueritall.
TheJeepAvengerCDVis available to order now across the Jeep dealer network with pricing starting from €30,627 RRSP(€24,900exVAT). For further information on the Jeep range contact your local dealer, Nearys Lusk.
Tel018437100orlogon towww.nearyslusk.ie
No matter how intelligent you are or how well you prepare, if you are not exam smart, you will underachieve in any Maths exam. It is also vital to have a plan in place for the content that can appear on your Maths paper.
This involves going in there with your eyes wide open and being tactically aware in case things go a little bit wrong on the day. The following are my ACE tips to effectively deal with a Maths exam paper.
These apply to both the Junior and Leaving Certs, as well as being relevant to the summer tests for 1st, 2nd TY, and 5th Years.
Sensible TipsWhen Dealing withaMathsExamPaper
• Units matter. If they are present in your question,they are required in your answer.
• Do not type anything into the calculator that you have not already written down in your answer book.
• You can get almost full marks (high partial credit) with just one slip/mistake in your solution. High partial credit could gain you as much as seven or eight marks out of ten.
• If you make two attempts at a question, they will all be corrected and the highest marks from your efforts will be counted. Don’t be afraid to have a proper go.
How any student can score a H1 in Maths
• Marks will be given for any work done on diagrams that have been printed on the paper.
• Be careful when dealing with minus signs.
• You must show your full workings out for all questions.
• Write down every single step until you arrive at the solution.
• If your answer is ‘off the wall’, it is probably incorrect.
• If there are many steps required in a solution, continually double check completed steps for accuracy; otherwise, you may need to re-write the whole solution. In that case, watch the clock very closely.
• Never rub/tippex out any work done even if you think it isn’t neat. Draw a single line through any part of the solution you are unsure about. The examiner must correct it.
• When asked for your opinion, give it, and refer to any numbers or statistics given in the question if available.
• Algebra is the bedrock of all Maths courses and is the main area that students struggle with. You need to become a master of Algebra to achieve high grades.
• Get used to attempting questions involving real life statistics.
• Estimating the heights of larger objects outside in nature is now an important part of Geometry and Trigonometry.
• In Co-ordinate Geometry, the slope of a line is very important in practical questions.
• More recent Maths exam questions tend to contain an
Joe McCormack - ACE Solution Books
increased number of words. The reason for this is the examiners need more English to describe real life Maths scenarios. You need to be able to separate the important keywords in the text from the padding that surrounds them. Use your highlighter or green pen to mark the significant words.
• Look through the wording of each question and pick out the Maths related information. In all subjects, but especially Maths, identify exactly what you are given and what you are looking for. Watch out for numbers written as words, for example “thirty” instead of “30”.
• If no diagram is presented, draw one yourself to give a
clearer picture of what is being asked. This is especially important in Geometry, Trigonometry, and Area and Volume.
• If given a diagram on the paper, mark in the numerical information given in the text of the question onto it. Redrawing sections of more complicated diagrams into your answer book can help to simplify question parts for you.
• Do not leave any blanks, ensuring that every question is fully attempted. If you leave a blank, the examiner can give you at most zero marks for that question part. If you attempt the question; you may get some marks and perhaps more than you think. In summary: No attempt = No marks.
• If you are dealing with a Trigonometric problem at Leaving Cert level, know how to apply the three basic Trigonometric ratios (SOH, CAH, TOA) , Pythagoras’ theorem, the Sin rule, and the Cosine rule. In these, you have all you need to solve most rightangled and non-right-angled triangle problems.
• Relate the information you have in the exam question to the theory and equations you have worked on in class. In Geometry, have you got two right-angled triangles that need to be solved separately? Again, if you are unable to start a question, there is nearly always something you have learned from your teacher or hopefully from my ACE Maths Solution Books that you can draw on to help you. Don’t give up. Be persistent.
• The relationship between two data sets is important. At LC Level, this concept links ‘slope of a line’ in Co-ordinate Geometry to that of ‘correlation’ in Statistics. Other examples of where topics overlap in Maths at Leaving Cert level include Co-ordinate Geometry of the line and the Circle, and of course Geometry and Trigonometry. Across all levels of Maths, there are many links between topics that you need to keep an eye out for.
• Do out a ‘time budget’ plan before sitting any Maths paper and be sure to stick to it. Most importantly, remember that you are not alone and there are tens of thousands of other students in the same position as you on exam day, many of whom have had their various struggles with Maths.
Above all, practice your Algebra and be familiar with what formulas are available to you in the log tables on the day. If you are familiar with the main equations and some theory on your course, you have a solid base for giving any exam your best shot.
“If you did no revision today, move on. Start again tomorrow.”
More details about Joe’s ACE Maths Tuition Classes for 3rd, 5th & 6th Year (Leaving Certificate Higher Students) and his Award Winning ACE Maths Solution Books are below: ACE Maths Classes: acesolutionbooks.com/acemaths-tuition Contact: (086) 4076495
Learning's for losers!!!
Sinead Burke
I’d be very sceptical of these people who are always trying to improve themselves. You know the type I’ m talking about. The ones who go to eveningclassestolearnhow to make their own patchwork quilt, are studying for the Bar Exam ontheslyorhavedecidedto try their hand at conversationalLatinonDuo Lingo.
A couple of years ago, I myself fell prey to this insidious cult of learning things. Over the course of threemonths,allthatwould doformewastomasterthe art of making French Macarons. Industrial quantitiesoficingsugarand eggs passed through the house.Icouldhavehiredmy own personal French chef with the money I spent on groundalmonds.
By the end of it, I had sugar encrusted worktops andlookedtohaveinvented anewtypeofplasticcoaster.
To this day, I can only marvel at the courage I finallyfoundtoputdownthe whisk and walk away from the cruel world of high-end confectionery. Where’s my Netflixseries?
Inthesameparishasthis carry on is watching challenging documentaries to learn something. I’m sorry, but I go to work to think. It’s the last thing I want to do when I come home.Iknowtheplanetisin bits, and I understand our oceanshavemoreplasticin
them than the Oscars ceremony guest list, but when I eventually collapse onthecouch,Ihaveavery strictcriteriaonwhatIwant to look at. Unless it’s some poorgossanfromDoncaster inwelloverhisheadtrying to do up an ancient Italian villa or a deluded wannabe cookdesperatelywillingona chocolatefondant,whilethe world and its wife knows that’s not going to rise, I’m notinterested.
As you know, recovery is notastraightroadandtoday I’mbraveenoughtoadmitI did suffer a momentary lapse over the Christmas break.Inbetweenfinishinga hearty breakfast of Chocolate Kimberley’s and turning my attention to the seasonal box of King crisps for dessert, I had a notion
that I might spend the day watching classic films. In hindsight, perhaps I was vulnerablebecauseofalack ofvitamins,ormaybeIwas still fragile from binge watching the new series of StrangerThings,we’llnever reallyknow.
Whatiscertainthough,is that day I became probably theonlypersonintheworld tohavewatchedbothCitizen Kane and Dr Zhivago. In otherwords,overfivehours ofmylifeIamnevergetting back. Or to put it in really important terms, I could have watched a whole season of Real Mormon Housewives in that same amountoftime.
Take it from me, learning’s for losers. That’s the only lesson worth learning.
Meath has so much to see completely free of charge
My name is Helen Leddy, MD of Back Office Marketing, we provide marketing services for small to medium sized businesses in Irelandspecialising in the hospitality and tourism industry. This month we are talking about great things to do in Meath that don’tcostathing!
With the cost of living still on everyone’s mind, more people across Meath arelookingforwaystoget out, explore, and make memories, without spending a fortune. The good news? County Meath is packed with incredible places you can visit completely free. Just remembertograbacupof coffee or glass of wine in thelocalbusinessestokeep themgoingthisSpring!
From ancient landmarks to peaceful forest walks, herearetenfantastic(and budget-friendly) spots to enjoy this spring.
1.Hill of Tara: One of Ireland’s most important historical sites, the Hill of Taraissteepedinmythand legend.Oncetheseatofthe High Kings of Ireland, today it offers visitors a peaceful, open landscape with panoramic views stretching across the Meath countryside. In spring, the surrounding fields come alive with colour,makingitaperfect spot for a slow wander, a picnic, or simply some quiet reflection away from the noise of daily life.
2.Trim Castle Grounds: While entry to the castle itself requires a ticket, the grounds around Trim Castlearecompletelyfreeand just as enjoyable. You can walk along the River Boyne, take in the impressive medieval architecture, and explore the surrounding town at your own pace. It’s a fantastic option for families, couples, or anyonelookingforascenic and relaxed day out without spending anything.
3.Bective Abbey: A true hiddengem,BectiveAbbey is a striking 13th-century ruin tucked away in the countryside. Its
atmosphericstonecloisters and quiet surroundings make it feel like a place frozen in time. It’s also famouslyfeaturedinfilms, adding an extra layer of intrigue. Because it’s less crowded than other heritage sites, you can exploreitatyourownpace and really soak in the history.
4.Donaghpatrick Church & Tower: This lesser-known site offers a peaceful escape with stunning views over the surrounding countryside. The historic church and tower add character, but it’s the sense of calm that really stands out. It’s the kind of place you stumble upon and wonder why more people don’t know aboutit-perfectforthose looking to avoid busy tourist spots.
5.Balrath Woods: If you’recravingfreshairand nature, Balrath Woods is anidealspringdestination. Astheseasonchanges,the woodland floor fills with wildflowers and the trees begin to bloom. The trails are easy to follow, making itsuitableforallages,and it’sagreatspotforwalking the dog or letting the kids exploresafely.
6.Laytown Beach
There’ssomethingtimeless about a walk along the beach, and Laytown delivers exactly that.
StretchingalongtheMeath coast, it’s perfect for long, reflective walks, family outings,orsimplyenjoying the sea air. On a clear springevening,thesunsets here can be spectacularand completely free to enjoy.
7.Spire of Lloyd (and surrounding parkland):
Just outside Kells, the Spire of Lloyd stands as a unique and striking landmark. The surrounding parkland offersplentyofopenspace for walking, relaxing, or playinggames.It’saneasy, low-cost way to spend a few hours outdoors, especially on a bright spring day.
8.Girley Bog Walk: For somethingalittledifferent, theGirleyBogWalkoffers a scenic boardwalk trail through a raised bog. It’s peaceful, slightly off the beaten path, and perfect for those who enjoy a slower pace. The unique landscapemakesitfeellike a mini escape into nature without having to travel far.
9.Old Mellifont Abbey Grounds: As Ireland’s first Cistercian monastery, Old Mellifont Abbey holds a special place in the country’s history. The groundsarequietandideal for a reflective walk, with plenty of space to explore. It’s a great stop if you’re planningadaydiscovering Meath’srichheritage.
10.Boyne River Walks: The River Boyne winds its way through Meath, offering countless opportunities for free walks and scenic views. Whether you choose a short stroll or a longer route, there’s always somethingnewtodiscover, from wildlife to historic landmarksalongtheway. Exploring Meath doesn’t have to come with a price tag. In fact, some of the best experiences are the simplest, fresh air, beautifulscenery,andabit ofcuriosity.
Drogheda Credit Union
Drogheda Credit Union Launch Low Rate 3.3% Green Mortgage with Legal Rebate of up to €2000* until June 2026
Drogheda Credit Union are proud to announce the launch of its new Green Mortgage, a competitive mortgage designed to support first time buyers and movers.
To celebrate the launch of the Green Mortgage product which has low rates from 3.30%* (3.35% APR)*, Drogheda Credit Union are offering a Legal Fee Rebate of up to €2000* helping to ease the costs for borrowers.
First Time Buyers Jack & Amy from Drogheda, have recently secured their mortgage through Drogheda Credit Union and shared their experience.
Q. Where did you hear that Drogheda Credit Union now did Mortgages?
“We set up a joint savings account a few years ago in Drogheda Credit Union with the intention of saving for a house deposit. When we started researching mortgage providers we realised that Drogheda Credit Union had started to offer mortgages, so we got in touch with the loans team.”
Q. Did you visit or go to any other financial institutions?
“Yes, we visited one of the main lenders but found the experience quite impersonal and that is when we contacted Drogheda Credit Union.”
Q. How was the mortgage process for you? Did you find it easy or complicated?
“With the expertise of the Drogheda Credit Union team we found the whole process extremely straight forward. Our mortgage journey was seamless thanks to the loans team.”
Q. Can you tell us about your Mortgage experience with Drogheda Credit Union?
“The experience was exceptional from start to finish. There was never a delay with processing our documentation or answering any questions we had. Every step was explained clearly to us. The loans team always made sure we fully understood everything which ensured we were never overwhelmed or stressed throughout the mortgage process.”
“When we had the mortgage drawn down, we also took out a Home Renovation Loan which allowed us to completely renovate our home. Without Drogheda Credit Union’s support, we would not have been able to complete our dream home.”
Q. After having gone through the process, what advice would you give to other people thinking about securing a mortgage with Drogheda Credit Union?
“Go in and talk to the loans team. It’s such a huge advantage that they are always there in person to take care of questions or queries. They’ll answer any questions as soon as possible and try to get you on the right path. They have so much knowledge on the mortgage process and take the worry out of the whole thing.”
