A Very Meath Rite of Passage

andyesitwasaverydifferent demographic and yes, he’s probably not the next DavidBowie,butit’spopular music being played outside and an excuse to have a bit of craic so stop whinging.

between Krusty the Clown andMissPanti.

There is an ancient native American custom called a vision quest. When a young person comesofage,theyaresent out alone into the wilderness for a short period of time. If they make it back tothetribe,aliveandrelatively intact, they are then considered an adult. And so it is, we have our owntraditionalriteofpassage here in the North East. Going to the Slane concert.

To many a live music novice, this can be both a mentally and physically exhausting ordeal. But for those who complete their tour of duty, it offers not only a war story to regal the rest of the class with, but also the certainty that whatever gig or festival they end up at in later years, they can handle it. Sure,they’vedoneSlane.

All Meath and Louth peoplefeelabitofprideful ownership over this annual event. For one weekend, the home of the High Kings also becomes, and I don’t want to sound like Bono here, but the centre of the Rock and Roll universe. And yes, I know this year it was Harry Styles

Listen, the Slane concert is an event in itself, who is actually playing can be a secondary consideration. It’s all about getting there early to drink on the grass outside. Chatting to fellow shattered and wounded comrades as you trudge back to Navan. Given your own expert appraisal of the size of the crowd and the quality of the sound the next day. And then finally, starting a rumour about do you know who is tippedfornextyear.

This time though, there was no bag of cans first for me. It was the youngest Burke child’s first concert. Sheapproachedthewhole exercise with military precision. Her outfit was decidedweeksinadvance.

Online videos were consulted, where we watched various young ones around the country teach us how to perfect our Harry make up look. I will never forget the scornful laugh which my own chosen outfit was greeted with and in the end, I just worewhatshedeemedthe least embarrassing of all my clothes. She’s 12. She can pick out the style for Mr Styles, I can pick my battles. But I genuinely looked like a cross

In the heel of the hunt, we lasted 2 hours. 2 hours standingatthebackof80k screaming girls. We weren't hard to find though, we were the ones standing against the back wallnotwearingpinkcowboy hats. After the 120 mostexpensiveminutesof my life, she turned and said“Mam,maybeit’stime to text dad and get him to collectus”.

And so, while the rest of the crowd danced and sang their heads off under the fireworks, our newly hardened little veteran of thelivemusicscene,saton her bed in her pyamas. Thrilled and exhausted, she spent the night watching videos of the concert she had taken on her phone.

Delighted with herself and reliving her brief trip to Harry’s House. It wasn’t quite the voyage of discovery, heart and character the Native American’s have in mind when they send their offspring off to prove themselves.

I’m not sure many Tribal Chefs would be willing to drive across the plains to collect junior, shouting “localaccess”toanymembers of An garda Siochana who tried to stop them. But for our lassie, it was enough for now. Maybe next time we might even last3hours.AndI’llbedoingmyownwarpaint.

MynameisHelenLeddy, MDofBackOfficeMarketing- I provide marketing services for the hospitality and tourism industry across the Island of Ireland.

July is all about getting out and about in the good weather (in between the horrendous showers) and hopefullyspendingabitof time with family and friends when the kids are offschool.

With the cost of living crisis still effecting most of our pay packets, I have some great tips on how to enjoy a day out in the Boyne Valley without spending a fortune. Here aremytop5thingstodoin theCountyforFREE.

1.DISCOVER THE NEW BOYNETOLAKELANDS COUNTYGREENWAY

Our new Greenway will be up there with the best of them. Starting in Navan (justpastBlackwaterpark) andeventuallyfinishingin Kingscourt, you can now enjoy a complete off road experience from Navan to Wilkinstown and from Castletown to Nobber. Get on your bike or break out the walking shoes for a greatdayout.

2.EXPERIENCE SUNRISE FROM LOUGHCREWCAIRN

Pack a flask of tea and a flashlight and set the alarm clock! Sunrise at the highest point of County Meathisanamazingexperience. Remember to NEVERclimbonthecairns up here for fear of damage tothetombs.

3.WATCH A GAME OF BASEBALL IN ASHBOURNE

Ashbourne Baseball club have a great schedule of games over the summer. You can attend the games for free and join in the excitementattheballpark!

4.HAVE A PICNIC AT THEBEACH.

Take advantage of our beautiful short coastline andpackapicniconanice day.ThereisnothingIlove more that getting a flask of tea and some sandwiches and hitting for Laytown. If you’re lucky, the tide will be in and you can enjoy a swimbeforeyourpicnic!

5.TAKE A WALK AROUNDTRIM

You will find so many heritagesitesaroundtrimthat arecompletelyfreetovisit. The Yellow Steeple, The sheeps gate, Newtown Monuments and further out the road, Bective Abbey. If you are bringing thekidsorthedog,thisisa safe and enjoyable walk alongtheBoyne. Remembertothinkofyour local hospitality businesses when out and about this summer. They are felling the pinch too and buying a cup of coffee goes a long way for them! Enjoyyoursummer!

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