Facts on Ireland and the Irish

Meath is one of the twenty-six counties in the Republic of Ireland.

It is in the Province of Leinster.

It has an area of approximately 905 sq miles.

It has a population of approximately 163,000 people.

It is the fourteenth largest county in Ireland.

The county town of Meath is Navan.

Navan is the only place name in Ireland that is a palindrome.

It is spelt the same backwards.

The Irish for Meath is An Mhí.

It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide meaning Middle. Middle as in between Ulster and Leinster.

The highest point in Co. Meath is Carnbane East at 915 feet.

The county was created in 1297 out of two of the ancient kingdoms of Ireland, Mide and Brega.

The county originally consisted of East Meath and West Meath.

The Neolithic passage-tomb complex of Newgrange, Nowth, and Dowth is located in Co. Meath.

It is known as Brú na Boinne and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Hill of Tara is located in Co. Meath.

The Hill of Tara was the seat of the High Kings of Ireland.

Co. Meath is therefore known as the Royal County.

Hugh de Lacy, one of the Norman conquerors of Ireland, established his headquarters at Trim in Co. Meath.

The Norman-Irish Parliament met in Trim during the Middle Ages.

The Battle of the Boyne was fought in Co. Meath, at Oldbridge.

The largest lead-zinc mine in Europe is in Co. Meath, west of Navan.

It is also the eighth largest lead-zinc mine in the world.

It was discovered in 1970.

The only official strand horse racing meeting in Europe is held at Laytown in Co. Meath.

Strand racing is horse racing on a beach.

The meeting is held every September and has been held every year since 1868.

Meath shares a border with seven other counties in the Republic of Ireland.

These are Cavan, Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Monaghan, Offaly, and Westmeath.