For every dreamy schoolboy in Ireland, the River Boyne is a name that resonates with history and adventure. It was on the banks of this famous river that the Celtic chieftain William of Orange defeated the Catholic armies of exiled James II of England in 1690. In fact this whole area just north of Dublin is soaked in stories and myths that predate the pyramids.

Nowhere can you get a better cross-section of the best of Ireland's Historic monuments than in the Boyne Valley.

Newgrange, Knowth, Dowth & The Visitor Centre:
The passage tomb of Newgrange, built over 5000 years ago, is one of the most famous prehistoric monuments in Western Europe and is unquestionably one of Ireland's most important archeological sites. It is neighboured by the passage graves of Knowth and Dowth, all of which were erected before the Pyramids of Egypt. A visit to these sites can be supplemented by a visit to the Bru na Boinne visitor centre. Please note that access to the sites is via the visitor centre only.

King John's Castle, Trim:
Standing proudly and defiantly on the banks of the river Boyne, Trim Castle is the largest Anglo-Norman Castle in Europe. The castle dates to 1172 when Hugh de Lacy began it's construction. To this day, the castle forms a hugely impressive and powerful site, still dominating the Heritage town of Trim. Sections of the hugely successful film Braveheart starring Mel Gibson were filmed here. Also located in Trim is the Trim Visitor Centre housing an exciting multimedia exhibition which paints a vivid picture of the historical background of the magnificent medieval ruins of the town.

The Hill of Tara:
Located just a pleasant drive from Kiltale House & Cottage, the Hill of Tara has - through it's legends and the imagination of the Irish people - taken on mythic proportions. The site has attached to it a wealth of history and legend as the ancient spiritual and political capital of Ireland. On a clear day, it is said that features in half the counties in Ireland can be seen from atop Tara. Sitting on top of Tara is the most famous of Tara's monuments - Ireland's ancient coronation stone, 'The Stone Of Destiny'. Also located there is the Mound of the Hostages - a megalithic passage tomb which is the oldest monument on the hill of Tara, dating to about 2,500 BC.

Loughcrew Cairns:
Loughcrew Cairns are another of the hidden gems of the Boyne Valley. The Cairns are a group of passage tombs in a magical setting dating from the Neolithic (c. 3,000 B.C.). Cairn T, one of the largest in the complex, has impressive examples of prehistoric art and is also the site of the famous hag's chair.

Monastic Kells & Manorial Slane:
Located close to the premises and well worth a visit is the Heritage town of Kells, a small market town built adjacent to the River Blackwater in the North of County Meath. It is famed for it's monastic influence and contains a whole host of historic remains - most famously it's high crosses and its well preserved round tower, dating from Viking times and standing an impressive 35 metres high. Sacred vessels and the Book of Kells were kept in the tower and it was from here that the Book of Kells was stolen in 1007.

Bective Abbey
Bective Abbey, located close to Kiltale Holiday Homes, proudly overlooks the Boyne, the second Cistercian Abbey to be established in Ireland, following the immediate success of Mellifont. Although most of the present impressive ruins date to the 15th century, the abbey was originally founded in 1150 by Murchadh O Maelsheachlainn, King of Meath, a smaller abbey having been built in the 15th century to replace the earlier Gothic complex. The abbey was one of the most important monastic sites in the country, and the Abbot of Bective sat in the Parliament of the Pale. The abbey was closed in 1536 on the general suppression of the monasteries by Henry VIII, and was modified into a manor house and handed over to civil servants as reward for their loyal work.