Moving to Meath: An Insider’s Guide

With its golden beaches and rich fertile pastures, it’s little wonder the kings of Ireland chose Meath as their home thousands of years ago. Now dotted with historical monuments, Meath today offers so much to those who visit the heart of the Ancient East or choose to make it home. This beautiful coastal county doesn’t just offer way more bang for your buck when buying a house, it offers a great way of life too.

Hop, Skip, Jump

Meath is just a short drive from Dublin - with parts like Ashbourne only half an hour away. If you don’t fancy taking the wheel and are looking for decent public transport, train services operate from Laytown, Drogheda and Dunboyne along with frequent buses, so you won’t be left at the side of the road with your thumb out.

And did you know that it’s also Ireland's most accessible county, at the hub of four major motorways - the M1, M2, M3 and M4? This has drawn many large firms to Meath in diverse industries from bioscience to printing. And Meath County Council is attracting more big players to the county. In 2014, they kicked off their eight-year Economic Development Strategy, so job opportunities continue to grow as the county attracts more new businesses.

Good Taste

…have we mentioned the food? Foodies will be spoilt for choice and if you just want honest to goodness grub you won’t be left short either. Meath’s rolling farmlands have resulted in mouth-watering local produce which is proudly used by many renowned restaurants and hotels.

The Signal Restaurant at the Station House Hotel in Kilmessan and the renowned Brazabon at Tankardstown are two stellar spots, while for more casual but still delicious organic grub you must check out the Donkey Shed at Newbarn Farm. Lots of local neighbourhood restaurants cater for whatever takes your fancy from tapas to seafood. Khan Spices in Trim is a must for a curry or if you’re feeling in a refined mood and have a hankering after a cucumber sambo The Conyngham Arms in Slane do a mean afternoon tea.

If you’re looking for family fare the Monastery Inn at Clonard serves up wholesome grub with something for just about everyone. Or at the weekends, munch your way around one of the local food markets which run in various towns such as Trim, Drogheda and Kells.

Play Time

Supporting your local GAA team is a great way to involve yourself in your new community and there are almost 60 clubs around Meath. Alternatively, get on your gold and green and get behind the county team. If you fancy a flutter, Meath is the home of Irish horse racing with five racecourses including Fairyhouse (of Grand National fame) and Laytown, with its unique beach races.

Meath also offers a host of golf clubs, magnificent stretches of beach and when the kids are looking for fun, there are forest walks, petting farms, activity and boating centres galore. The county is also home to Tayto Park and the indoor activity centre The Zone for rainy days. So, you are unlikely to hear those familiar words “I’m bored”. And you won’t be saying it either.

If you’re a history buff you’ll be in heaven in Meath. It’s packed with archaeological showstoppers like the magnificent Newgrange, the Hill of Tara and the site of the Battle of the Boyne, where the largest, bloodiest conflict in our history occurred when 60,000 troops fought one another in the names of William of Orange and James II back in 1690.

Culture vultures can take in live music at the Bounty Bar in Trim or check out what’s on in the Solstice Arts Centre in Navan which has a great programme all year round of cinema, theatre, visual arts and dance. Or why not check out the medieval motte at Loughcrew or lose yourself in the gardens of one of the many historical houses like Glebelands? There is so much to see and do in Meath. All those thousands of years ago the High Kings and the Neolithic people chose this ancient county as their home, why not make it a part of your own history?

The Next Step

Thinking about buying your first home? Find out about mortgage requirements for First Time Buyers by visiting our website. Want to see how much you can borrow right now? Step right this way for ouronline mortgage calculator.

Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. is an authorised agent and servicer of AIB Mortgage Bank in relation to origination and servicing of mortgage loans and mortgages. AIB Mortgage Bank is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Copyright Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. 1995.