Slane

Slane is a village in County Meath, with a population of 1400 in 2022. It's 14 km west of Drogheda and is near several historic sites, the top attraction being Brú Na Bóinne Archaeological Park. It's named for Sláine mac Dela, a legendary king of Ireland circa 1700 BC supposedly buried here.

Understand

1 Visit Slane is the tourist information centre at the village crossroads, open M-Sa 9:30AM-5PM, Su noon-4PM.

Get in

Slane Castle

Collins Coach N2 runs every couple of hours from Dublin Lower Abbey St and other northside stops (but not Busáras or the airport) to Drumcondra, Finglas, Slane (50 min), Collon, Ardee and Carrickmacross. Don't take Coach M1, which is non-stop to Ardee along the motorway.

Bus Éireann 190 runs hourly daily from Drogheda (for trains from Dublin and Belfast) to Slane (25 min), Navan and Trim.

For route maps and stop locations see the TFI route mapper.

By road from Dublin you could take M2 / A2 past Ashbourne, or M1 (toll) to Drogheda then N51 west.

Get around

You need wheels, a bike would do but it's very hilly

N51 passes close to Brú na Bóinne and the Boyne battlefield, but there's no public access from the north side. You need to be south of the river on the lane towards Donore. If there's a lumbering tour coach blocking the lane, you're on the right track.

See

• 1 Slane Castle, Slanecastle Demesne, ☏ +353 41 988 4477. Neo-gothic castle of 1785 which remains the Conyngham family seat. Adult €14, conc €12, child €9. (updated Apr 2021)
• 2 Fennor Castle is a dilapidated turret south side of the village.
• 3 Hill of Slane has ruins of a Franciscan Friary of 1512. Christian mythology goes back over 1100 years before: St Patrick supposedly lit a bonfire here to celebrate Easter, in defiance of the pagan king atop the Hill of Tara: cue for rage, a fatal fight, an earthquake, and the launch of the shamrock as the symbol of Ireland under the Holy Trinity. A bonfire is ceremonially lit here on Easter Saturday.
• 4 Ledwidge Cottage Museum, Janeville, Slane, ☏ +353 41 982 4544. 19th-century birthplace of the poet and nationalist Francis Ledwidge (1891-1917), killed at Ypres in World War I. His Company were laying a trackway near Hell Fire Corner when he was hit by a shell. He's buried at Boezinge 5 km north of Ypres. Adult €4, conc €3, child €1. (updated Apr 2021)
• 5 Baronstown Cross stands on a loop of the old road to Navan off N51. It was erected in 1600 to the memory of the local Lord Baron and his lady, with St Peter apparently got up in a kilt.
• 6 Brú Na Bóinne Archaeological Park is a remarkable complex of Neolithic chamber tombs, standing stones and henges, see separate page. Most visitors daytrip from Dublin and don't come into Slane.
• 7 Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre is within Oldbridge House, see Drogheda.

Do

• Walk: a footpath follows the south riverbank from Navan to Slane. It continues east but peters out in private land: switch to the lane then pick up the trail again towards Brú na Bóinne.
• Slane Festival is a rock concert held in the castle grounds in summer. Dates vary.

Buy

• Mimnagh's Gala Supermarket at the village crossroads is open M-F 7AM-9PM, Sa Su 24 hours.

Eat

• Inside Out on Chapel St is a Mediterranean restaurant open Th-Sa 5-9PM, Su 4-8PM. Also serves takeaway pizza.
• The pubs have bar food.
• George's Patisserie, Chapel St, ☏ +353 41 982 4493. M 9AM-3PM, W-Su 9AM-4PM. It prides itself on producing artisan breads, cakes, pastries and confectionary, and does lunch and weekend breakfast. Very popular with locals. (updated May 2024)
• Conyngham Arms Hotel has good dining, see Sleep.

Drink

Hill of Slane

• The pubs are along N51: Lynch's, Boyle's, The Village Inn.
  • Boyle's has regular live music
• Slane Distillery produces Irish whiskey within the former stables of Slane Castle. They're open daily 10:30AM-5PM, tours available.
• Whiskey Lounge by the castle is run by the distillery.

Sleep

• Slane Farm Hostel, Harlinstown House, Slane C15 X3XH (2 km northwest off R163), ☏ +353 41 988 4985. On a working dairy farm, the former coach house and stables of the castle have been converted into a plush hostel with 12-bunk dorm and self-catering cottages. (updated Apr 2021)
• Conyngham Arms Hotel, Main St, Slane C15 HN52, ☏ +353 41 988 4444. Smart hotel in a restored 18th-century coaching inn with good dining. B&B double €90. (updated Apr 2021)
• The Failte is a B&B on Main St.
• Boyne House, Chapel St, Slane C15 P657, ☏ +353 41 988 4444. Renovated townhouse also managed by Conyngham Arms. B&B double €150. (updated Apr 2021)

Connect

As of April 2021, Slane has 5G from Eir, and 4G from Three and Vodafone.

Go next

• Drogheda has a shrine to St Oliver Plunkett within St Peter's Roman Catholic Church, and many historic sites around town.
• Navan the county town is a transport and business hub and not much more. You'd go that way to reach Kells.
• Dublin is barely an hour away.

Routes through Slane

Derry ← Carrickmacross ←	N  S	→ Ashbourne → Dublin
Navan ← Stackallan ←	W  E	→ Rossin → Drogheda