We take a look at some things great things to do in and near Navan as the days get longer.
Less than a 20-minute drive from the centre of Navan, you'll find the Park Beo Greenway Hub, a great base to start a Greenway cycle from. The Boyne Valley to the Lakelands Greenway covers 30km of walking and cycling paths, following the tracks of the former Midlands Great Western Railway. The Greenway takes you from Navan to County Cavan, through wonderful surroundings all the way to Kingscourt, with some lovely stops along the way.
The Park Beo Greenway hub is a 3.5 acre outdoor site with picnic areas, supermarket and deli and a snack bar, so it's a perfect place to start your journey, especially if you want to rent bikes. It has bikes of all sizes for rent and a large car park with free parking, so a great spot to use as a base for your day trip. The hub is open Tuesdays to Sundays during the spring and seven days a week in the summer months. For more details on opening hours, accessibility and facilities, check out the Park Beo Greenway Hub website.
Bermingham's in Navan is widely recognised as the town's oldest pub, dating from the early 1880s. A cosy spot with lots of original detail, it's the ideal place to settle in for some traditional Irish music. Every Sunday Bermingham's hosts a trad session, known locally to attract some accomplished musicians. So, if you're interested in a late afternoon of wonderful trad, it's a good place to be and it's free, so what's not to like?
Bermingham's trad session happens every Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at 7 Ludlow Street. For more information on their music events, check out their website.
The UNESCO World Heritage site of Brú na Bóinne is home to Newgrange, famed as a stunning prehistoric site of ancient culture. The tombs of Newgrage and nearby Knowth and Dowth date to approximately 3,200BC. Just over 20 minutes by car from the centre of Navan, Newgrange is a must-see for anyone interested in history, archaeology, culture or just a fun day out. Starting your Newgrange experience at the Visitor Centre, you'll be immersed in a fully interactive exhibition, which caters to all ages. Following your visit to the centre, you're brought to Newgrange via shuttle bus, to see the exceptional passage tomb from the Neolithic era.
From ancient art to the recreation of the winter solstice within the passage way itself, the Newgrange tour is one with something special to show. It is essential to book in advance, especially as there is huge demand for the tours. The Visitor Centre itself has good facilities with a café on site and plenty of parking. A trip to Newgrange is an excursion you'll remember for a long time. For booking information go to the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre website.
With spring in the air, it's a good time to get out and about and see all Navan and Meath have to offer and if rain does happen to fall, you can always nip into the warmth of a trad session in the town.