Gaeltacht Travel in Ireland

Pre-historical Sites of Meath

County Meath is traditionally known as the Royal County because it contained the seat of the ancient High Kings of Ireland at the Hill of Tara. The archaeological complex of Brú na Bóinne, including the 5,000-year-old burial site Newgrange, in the northeast of the county, is a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. The passage graves of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth attract visitors from all over the world. Other places of interest include Slane Castle, and historic Kells, where the Book of Kells originated. Kells also has some fine 9th Century high crosses and a 1000-year-old Round Tower.

Apart from archaeological sites and beautiful views, you can enjoy a wide range of activities in Meath, from coarse and game angling to shooting and golf. The county is relatively flat and ideal for cycling and horse riding.

Ráth Cairn Gaeltacht

The Meath Gaeltacht, Ráth Cairn, appeared when the government provided a house and 22 acres for each of 41 families from Connemara and Mayo in the 1930s, in exchange for their original lands. It was one of the more visionary ideas of language revival thinking, but was unfortunately not recognised as an official An Ghaeltacht until 1967. Check out our Meath Gaeltacht Accommodation.

The Gaeltacht of Ráth Cairn was first established in 1935 when 27 families from Connemara were settled on land previously acquired by the Irish Land Commission. All in all, 443 people moved from Connemara to the Ráth Cairn area. A cooperative was started in 1973. As a result, Ráth Cairn has grown into a village with a secondary school, a Catholic church, sports facilities and pub and community hall. It’s popular for children and adults learning Irish and offers a perfect environment for learning and practicing Irish. Ráth Cairn has a strong culture of traditional music, dance and drama which continues to thrive today.

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