History in Meath
Antiquities
The Hill of Tara, in Co. Meath (Hotels, Meath, Ireland), was the former residence of the kings of Ireland. Its correct name is Toamhair, the English name Tara being derived from the dative case Teamhraigh. The hill, which is situated in the midst of one of the most fertile plains in Ireland, commands a magnificent view of vast extent. According to Irish legend it was the chief residence of the Ard-Ri or High King of Ireland from the time of Slainghe, a Fear Bolg, king of Ireland, who reigned according to the annalists from 3266 a.m. Tara continued to be the chief palace of the Ard-Ri until finally abandoned in a.d. 563 ; one hundred and forty-two kings having reigned there during this period of 2530 years. Ollamh Fodhla, who the annalists date about 3883 A.M., is related to have instituted a triennial convention at Tara, and a yearly assembly was also held there. The triennial convention was said to have been instituted for the preservation and ratification of laws and rules. During the convention peace and entertainment were maintained. Dathi, the last pagan king who lived at Tara, is said to have been killed by lightning in A.D. 428. He was 
buried at Rathcroghan, Co. Roscommon: the pillar stone supposed to mark his grave is still standing, though recent excavation has shown that there is no internment beneath the stone. The last king who lived at Tara was Diarmaid Mac Cearbhaill (A.N. 539 to 558). The site is traditionally stated to have been abandoned soon after his death on account of St Ruadhans curse.
The reason of this curse and cause of the abandonment of Tara are told in the Annals of Clonmacnois. The story may be briefly related as follows : -King Diarmaid, who had promulgated a law that the door of every noble- mans house should be a spears length wide, sent an official through the country to see that this rule was carried out. The doorway of Aodh Guaire having been found of insufficient width was broken open. Aodh Guaire finding his door broken open slew the kings official. He then fled to his uncle, St Ruadhan of Lothra. The Saint tried to hide the fugitive from the angry king.
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The ruins of Trim Castle are. more extensive than those of any other castle in Ireland. Trim is the ancient Ath Truim (the ford of elder-tree) : the ancient ford can still be seen above the town bridge over the Boyne. The castle was built to protect this. Though it is commonly called King Johns Castle the present castle, which is Edwardian in plan, was certainly not. built until after the date of Johns visit to Ireland. A castle 
was founded at Trim by Hugh de Lacy in 1173 ; probably this was only an earthen mote with a wooden stockade. The present ruins occupy about two acres. The principal
feature is the keep, which is Norman in type ; the draw- bridge, portcullis and gateway arc also well preserved. The castle was defended by a moat fed by water from the River Boyne
The name for County Meath (Holiday homes, Meath, Ireland) is taken from the Gaelic An Mhi, which means middle.
Human habitation of Meath (Accommodation, Meath, Ireland) can be traced back over 8,000 years. Also known as Royal Meath, the county once housed the king of ancient Ireland.
Meaths famous Boyne Valley contains Europes most ancient Neolithic edifices. Aside from its historical significance in relation to the 1690 Battle of the Boyne between Catholic King James II and Protestant King William of Orange, the Boyne area is wealthy in pre- historical artifacts. The renowned Book of Kells originates in Kells, County Meath.
Meath played an active role during the rebellion of 1798. Open warfare was fought between the forces of Great Britain and the indigenous Irish rebels.
Co. Meath
A large county, famed for its rich pasture-lands, which cover nearly three-quarters of the, total area. Meath is a rich and fertile tract, well watered and well wooded. Mountains are, absent, the highest point being Sheve-na-Calliagh in the. west, where grassy limestone, hills rise. about Old castle. in the north, Silurian slates form an upland, Sheve Bregh attaining 733 ft. The
remainder of the area is low-lying limestone. Almost the whole, of Meath is drained by the Boyne and its tributaries. A narrow arm of the county runs west- ward to Lough Sheelin, the only lake of any size which belongs even in part to the area ; another arm, running eastward, fronts the Irish Sea along 7 miles of sandy beach.
Trim, on the Boyne, the. ancient capital of Meath, though now outgrown by some of its neighbours, is the assize town. Its great castle and other ruins bear witness to its former importance. Navan, which stands where the Boyne is joined by its most important tributary, the Blackwater, is now the largest town in Meath (Holiday Cottages, Meath, Ireland), and has the rare privilege (in Ireland) of being served (from Dublin) by two railways. Kells on the Blackwater, is another very old settlement. Athboy is near Trim ; Oldcastle stands far to the west.
