News and Events

Historic Cottages

ARISTOCRAT Lord Henry Mountcharles has donated four 18th-Century cottages that formerly housed workers of the Slane Castle estate to boost tourism in Slane village.

The single-storey stone artisan buildings, located on Chapel Street in Slane, Co Meath, were built in 1701 by the Conyngham family, who have owned the Slane estate since that time.

Lord Henry, the current head of the family, yesterday "gifted" the cottages to the local authority.

The buildings have been vacant for many years and will require refurbishment by the council, which plans to use them as a tourism and heritage centre.

Lord Henry said he wanted to see the cottages become "a heartbeat" for tourism in the area.

"Slane has such a vibrant and rich heritage going back to St Patrick," he said. "It is one of the most significant 18th-century villages in the country, and it needed a boost in terms of getting a heartbeat in the centre.

"I decided these buildings were absolutely ideal. They are in a central location and are at the starting point of the Slane heritage trail.

"I also made a commitment that we as a family will kickstart the project, in terms of what is going to happen inside the building, with a gift or a grant to the Slane Historical Society, to assist with things like audiovisual displays.

"It is really important there be community development if we're going to get ourselves out of the hole we're in.

"Tourism is one of the most important things.

"The local hotel here has closed down, and other businesses in the area have also closed down. Hopefully, the more visitors we can attract, it will work as part of a revitalisation.

"I love this area and that is why I'm doing this. I grew up here and this is where my heart lies. I have grandchildren living in the village," he added.

A spokesperson for Meath county manager Tom Dowling said he was delighted with the gift, and plans to restore the cottages are in place.


	Launching the beautiful Slane village heritage trail, Thomas Byrne T.D. Cllr Wayne Harding, Minister Mary Hanafin and Cllr Anne Dillon Gallagher Cathaoirleach Meath County Council. Launch of Slane Historic Trail Tourism Minister Mary Hanafin was in Slane on Sunday to formally launch the Slane Historic Trail, a self-guided historical tour of Slane Village developed by Meath County Council, Meath Tourism and the Slane Historic and Tourism Committees over the past number of months. The historic trail is a welcome addition to the village which this year celebrates its 250th year as an estate village. Local organisations turned out in force on Sunday to welcome the minister and learn more about the Slane Historic Trail. Slane has a rich history and this new historic trail recognises the heritage of the village through the 17 historic points now marked out through plaques and panels. The historic trail began as an application for funding to Fáilte Ireland by Meath County Council. The successful application forms part of the Historic Trails Initiative introduced by Fáilte Ireland through the NDP last year, which made funding available to provide a range of tourist signage to develop self-guided historic trails. Launching the Slane Historic Trail, Minister Hanafin said: "It is very encouraging to see the local community working together with Meath County Council to develop this historic trail. Fáilte Ireland has invested in 43 historic trails nationwide and it is this type of investment that will encourage visitors to stop off in our towns and villages and spend some time exploring and enjoying some quality time. In turn, the local economy will benefit from these visitors some of whom will no doubt stop for the cup of coffee, lunch or dinner or to buy the gift as a momento. All of which generates extra business in the area." The Slane Historic Trail highlights the main historic sites in Slane through a series of plaques and panels in the village. Some of the points include the Hill of Slane, where St Patrick is reputed to have lit the first paschal fire and introduced Christianity to Ireland; Slane Mill, which is a fine example of Georgian industrial architecture, and Slane Castle, an iconic attraction and well-known the world over for its legendary music concerts. Speaking at the event, Meath County Council cathaoirleach Cllr Ann Dillon Gallagher expressed her delight at seeing the completion of such a valuable project during the 250th anniversary of Slane as an estate village. "I have no doubt that this initiative will further enhance the attractiveness of the town as a visitor location and improve the overall tourism product on offer," she said. This heritage trail is the second in a series of three historic trails including Trim (launched last December) and Kells (due to be launched), which have been developed by Meath Local Authorities with the financial assistance of Fáilte Ireland. Close to 250,000 people visit the iconic attraction of Bru na Boinne each year and the local attractions of the hill of Slane, Slane Castle, Ledwidge Cottage Museum and Battle of the Boyne Centre along with this new heritage trail offer a greater tourism experience in encouraging visitors to remain in the area and contribute to the local economy, it's proponents claim.

Wednesday 25th August

Sheila Crehan & members of Slane History & Archaeology Society will give a tour and lecture on Wed 25th from 19.30 to 21.30.

The meeting point for this event will be the car park of St.Erc's graveyard, Collon Rd, Slane, Co.Meath.

The walk is to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of John Cassidy (1860-1939), sculptor and artist, born in Littlewood, Slane.

Picture:

Francis Lee Gargan, Sheila Crehan and Marie Meade with one of John Cassidy's works at a launch in the Conyngham Arms Hotel.

Saturday 28th August

Francis Ledwidge Museum will present a play called Faint Voices by John Mc Kenna at Droichead Arts Center.

Performed by the Dublin Shakespeare drama society.

Faint Voices is a play based on the love affair between Francis Ledwidge, the Slane poet who was killed in 1917 in the Great War and Ellie Vaughey a local girl from a farming family on the Hill of Slane.

It portrays the doomed relationship between Francis and Ellie and the impact of his death on those left at home.

Shifting between the dead and the living, Faint Voices grows into an indelibly haunting piece of theatre.

Sunday 29th August

Ciaran Baxter & Flann Fitzpatrick will give guided tours of The Hill of Slane, giving local history and pointing out landmarks and famous sites to be seen from the hill.

Views of over 100 miles are clear.

Tours will be from 13.00 to 16.00.

Free - Donations will go to An Cairde/Meals on Wheels.

Saturday 18th September

St. Patricks Church of Ireland

A Concert in aid of the Friends of St. Lukes Hospital will be held in St. Patricks Church of Ireland, Slane. on Saturday, September 18th.


	\|Welcome\| \|The Village\| \|Hill of Slane\| \|Castles in Slane\| \|Churches\| \|Waterways\| \|Newgrange\| \|Battle of the Boyne\| \|Famous People\| \|Accommodation\| \|Shops/Business\| \|Taxi/Car Hire\| \|Entertainment\| \|Activites/Attractions\| \|Eating Out\| \|Night Life\| \|News\| \|Gallery\| \|Internet Links\| \|Contact Us\| © Slane Tourism. All Rights Reserved.