Kells CBS senior rugby team captain Jody Devine, Junior team vice captain, Bernard O'Brien, and junior captain, Brendan Brady, when the school won the senior and junior rugby leagues in 1986.

Life Through the Lens: The Photo List


Out and About  * Stage And Screen *On The Land * The Political Scene * Around the County * Sporting Heroes


John Sheridan, Kells, at Moynalty Steam Threshing.

Seamus Govern keeping the threshing machines fed.

Checking the grain sacks at the threshing machine in Moynalty.

Longstanding Tara Harriers Master, George Briscoe, Bellinter, admires a Peter Curling painting presented to him on the occasion of his golden jubilee as master, with Dot Power.

1987 Tour de France winner Stephen Roche (centre) with Ciaran Harte (left) and Larry Clarke of Navan Road Club at the finish of the Trim stage of the Credit Union Junior Cycle Tour in 1995.

The St. Joseph’s Convent of Mercy, Navan, Leaving Certificate class of 1989 on a school tour to Clara Lara outdoor adventure park in Wicklow, including Veronica Ryan, Deirdre Ryan, Anne Gavagan, Tracy Greene, Paula Melady, Sonia O’Brien, Bernadette Curtis, Aisling Mulligan, Lorraine Halpenny, Sonya Hardiman, Mary Loughran, Theresa O’Loughlin, Jennifer Lynch, and Rachel Wall.

Jimmy Maher stamps a young Meath fan's ticket on a special All Ireland train from Navan during the glorious Boylan era.

President Patrick Hillery and Pat Travers, chairman, Bohermeen Community Centre, at the opening of the centre in 1984.

Gardai Phil O’Callaghan and Pat Scanlon outside Trim Garda Station.

At the official hanging of flower baskets in Bridge Street, Navan, were Maura Geoghegan, Molloy’s Bar & Grocery, Susan Donohue, Marsh Mackey Accountants, Ger Shanley, Russell Arms Hotel, Larry Clarke, Beechmount Garden Centre, Martin Skelly, Navan Travel, Liam Ryan, Remfac, Larry Allen resident Jimmy Fitzsimons, Navan Tidy Towns, Peter Gallagher, Peter Gallagher Photography, John Ryan, Remfac and Mary Gallagher, resident, with Rev John Clarke on a height.

At a book launch in the Bounty Bar in Trim were Monsignor Sean Kenny, PP, Micheal A Regan, solicitior and raconteur, and writer, Tommy Murray

Barber Jack Andrews tackles Philip Lowe’s beard at a charity shave in McCormack’s of Trim. 

Louis Lucet was a familiar figure on Kennedy Road in Navan.

Richard McCabe and Gene Farrell, Kilmessan, enjoying a night out in Tom Reilly’s Bar, Watergate Street, Navan.

Jim Reynolds of Butterstream Gardens, Trim, visited by Prince Charles in 1995.

Ray Stone of LMFM interviews Jack Coldrick in Navan Shopping Centre.

Martin Byrne, Ballivor, James Gilsenan, Athboy, Shane Kelly, Kildalkey and Brendan Smith, Rathmore, early 1980s, Connaught Street, Athboy.

Sarah Loughran, Ashbourne Foroige, twice Eurovision Song Contest winner, Johnny Logan, Paddy Cummins, president of Ashbourne & District Chamber of Commerce and Shay Healy, songwriter.

Ollie Bird, ‘Mother Ireland’, shows a bit of leg at the Athboy St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

St. Patricks Day Parade, Navan, 1982

Examining plans to restore Ledwidge Cottage in Slane were John Clarke, Peter Baxter, Dr. Vivien Igoe, Pearl Baxter, Paddy Mongey and Joe Ledwidge.

Cllr. Bob Doonan with Sergeant John Clarke, chairman of Slane Tidy Towns. 

1990 liver transplant recipient, Margaret Christie, Kilmore, Rathmolyon.

The wedding of Meath footballer Martin O’Connell and Samantha Kearney in St. Mary’s Church, Navan, with Martin’s uncle-in-law, Cavan football great Mick Higgins.
(Error in book: Samantha is called Siobhan).

Fr. Enda Gilleran gives Daragh Kelly his baby’s bottle prior to a ‘Nappy Run’ at the Brush Shiels BBQ in Moynalvey, with Kathleen Munnelly.

Johnny O’Dwyer, Murray’s Bar, Dunshaughlin, with Sheila Allen, Dunshaughlin senior citizens’ club, presenting a rings board.

Children playing in the snow at Abbeygrove, Navan, in 1991.

Patrick Plunkett and Tommy Weldon, employees of Spicers’ Blackwater Mill, Navan.

Taking part in a Kells anti-bloodsport protest were ‘Dan the Street Singer’, actor, John Cowley, Henry Fitzsimons and Matthew Lynch.

Micheal and Kathryn Delany, Gaulstown, Dunshaughlin were regional winners in the 1996 Family Farm of the Year Awards, with Bill Shanahan (Agricultural Science Association) John Grogan (Farmers’ Journal), Ray Keane (European Commission), Kevin Tiernan (Teagasc) and Hugh Ryan (FBD Trust).

The ‘Nun Run’ was a novelty charity event which ran for many years at Trim Pony Races. Sr. Olive Irwin of the Convent of Mercy, Moate, Co. Westmeath, won 1989 run on Bright Star.

The bookies’ stands at the Nun Run at Trim Pony Races.

Launching a Rehab Race night in the Beechmount Hotel, Navan, were, Mary Cuffe, Rehab, jockey Joe Byrne, and Tara McDonagh, Rehab.

Office of Public Works archaeologist David Sweetman, Drumree, on the site of a Bronze Age House at Newgrange.

A cavalcade arriving into Trim to celebrate winning the overall national Tidy Towns competition in 1984.

Stewart and Janet Farrar, Heme Cottage, Kells, authors of several books on witchcraft.

‘Dreoilín Cois Bóinne’, singers and musicians from Trim, Ashbourne and Kilmessan, depicting the 1950s  - with some special guests.

At a Scurlogstown Olympiad Festival in Trim were Rosanna Murphy and her nephew, Daire Harlin, Kilmessan.

Tom Brady and Tommy Brennan taking part in horse show throwing at Scurlogstown Olympiad.

A motley crew taking part in a St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Trim, led by Tom Feeney and John Wiseman.

Niamh Foley and Georgina O’Hanlon, Dunshaughlin, at a Royal Meath Show in Trim.

Edel Kaye, Danny Halpin, Mick Quinn, Maurice Harlin and Cyril Ashe taking part in a St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Trim

Valerie Durcan and Carmel O’Callaghan at a Scurlogstown Olympiad Festival in Trim.

 

Stage and Screen

Band Namaste, winners of many local talent competitions. Back: Adrian Flanagan and James Conroy. Front: Gordon Geraghty, Ian McTigue and Colin Howard.

A young Blathnaid Ní Chofaigh, future RTE star.

Brush Shiels at home on the farm at Moynalvey.

Actor Tom Hickey, best known as Benji  in ‘The Riordans’ leads a children’s charity walk in Kilmessan.

Showband singer Jim Tobin, of the Firehouse Showband, who sings Jim Reeves style.

Fr. Ray Kelly, star of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, in his earlier days as curate in Navan, and member of St. Mary’s Musical Society.

Jimmy Fitzsimons and Billy Goonan in a Navan Theatre Group production

Trudy Smyth and Michal Hayes - future star of stage and screen - perform with Navan Theatre Group.

Jim McDonnell, Linda Moran and Tom Murphy at a poetry reading at Suzie’s Cookhouse, Watergate Street, Navan.

Navan Theatre Group’s Padraig Brown and Brian Harten.

Joe McDonnell and Peter McLoughlin, Dunshaughlin Musical Society.

Elaine Farrell, Molly Carty and Rosaleen Conroy of Dunshaughlin Musical Society.

Sheila Duffy, Marion Carberry, Mona Crowley, Dunshaughlin Musical Society

Liam Carolan and Siobhan O’Donoghue in a Kilmessan Drama Group production of ‘Dry Rot’.

Singer Niamh Collins, Dunshaughlin.

Moya Farrelly, actor, from Brews Hill, Navan.

Cheryl Martin taking part in Michael Scott’s ‘Songs by the River’ at Dúchas Folk Theatre in Trim. 

Aggie Healy and Mary Maguire in Trim Musical Society’s ‘Oklahoma’.

Tracey Kerrigan and Suzanne Lynch, Trim, at a production of ‘Oklahoma’ by Trim Musical Society. Suzanne is now Irish Times’ American Correspondent based in Washington.

Mick Miley, Trim Garda and member of Trim Musical Society

John Grant, of Kells Silver Band, and Dramatic and Musical Society.

Jane Lynch of Trim Musical Society.

Rathkenny Revels Jimmy Carry, Larry Mongey, and Mary Callaghan.

Adrian Goslin performing with the Rathkenny Revels

Gordon Leonard of Rathkenny Revels

Oliver Condon on violin with the Rathkenny Revels in 1999.

Artist Seamus Smith, photographed by Lucy Johnston of the Johnstons Folk Group.

Trim singer, Matt Gilsenan.

Navan singer Willie Byrne, who performed ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ in Londons’s West End.

Michael Cullen -  a man of many parts -  Rathkenny Revels 1991.

JJ Fagan operating the sound desk at a Trim Red Cross Fashion Show. 

Singer Michael Deegan receives an entertainment award from Fr. Andy Farrell, then Adm., Navan.

David Bowie on stage at Slane Castle in 1987.

Mick Jagger and Ron Wood on stage at Slane Castle in 1982.

 

Trade and Commerce 

Summerhill footballer and Meath 1988 captain Mick Lyons receives an Alfa Romeo from Patrick Kavanagh of Kavanagh’s of Trim.

Matt Rogers takes off in his bus.

Matty Rogers of the Boyerstown bus company (right) with his father, Matty ‘Buller’ Rogers.

Mary and Oliver Gough of the lawnmower sales and machinery hire business on Flower Hill, Navan

Graham Geraghty is welcomed as a Sam Spudz salesman for the Louth /Meath region by distribution manager, Joe McDonnell, in 1994.

Trim auctioneer and undertaker, Aidan Heffernan.

Tim Lodge of the Athboy hardware supplies store.

BJ Faulkner, of Faulkners Draperies in Kells and Athboy.

Nina and Ann Marie Cully and the staff Mary Murray, Maureen Lowther, Pauline Walsh, Kay Martin and Marie Markey at Nina’s, Trim. 

Former cyclist Matt Moran had a bicycle shop on Railway Street, Navan. Matt Moran’s Cycle Shop on Railway Street.

Anne Castles, Martin Skelly and Sandra Gillic of Navan Travel.

Kells auctioneer Oliver Usher

Auctioneer Ron Duff.

Micheal Dempsey, managing director of Dempsey Travel, Trim and Edenderry.

Navan butcher Pat Smith with his award-winning sausages.

Ellie McCormack of awardwinning guesthouse, Balreask House, Navan.

Rosaleen and Tony O’Reilly of the Village Inn, Clonmellon.

Dorian and Natalie Van de Braam of De Braam mineral Water in Rathmolyon.

Future comedian Brendan O’Carroll at work in the Village Inn, Clonmellon, as a waiter - he has plenty to pop the champagne corks about now!

Richard and Patricia Hudson of the renowned Hudson’s Bistro restaurant on Railway Street, Navan.

Denis Farrell of Riverside Motors, Navan.

Philip Smith of Joe Norris Motors, Navan.

Ray Walsh, general sales manager, Henry Ford & Son Limited (left), and Sean Cooney, managing director, Navan Motors Limited, signing of the agreement appointing Navan Motors as Ford dealers.

William Woods at work on a Volkswagen Beetle at Sweeney Crash Repairs.

Micheal ‘Harry’ O’Connor attending customers Jim Smith and Neil O’Riordan in Maddens, Dunshaughlin.

Future TD, Ray Butler, ran a shoe shop in Trim.

Catherine Treacy outside the Versatile Bathrooms premises on Railway Street, Navan.

Paddy Doyle officially opens a new Super Valu supermarket in Dunshaughlin.

Manager, Darryl Clarke, footballers PJ Gillick and Terry Ferguson, and proprietor, David Butler, cutting the ribbon to open Video Vision, Kells. (Darryl Clarke is Darragh in error in the book).

Mayor of Navan, Cllr. Frank Carberry, opens The Smart Cut-Inn hair salon in Navan for Pamela and Paddy Pryle.

Helen Lynch pulling pints at a Warrenstown Arms opening night.

William Redhouse of Newgrange Farm.

Mortgage broker Aidan Redmond outside his office at Ludlow Street, Navan.

PJ Souhan of the Trim garage and filling station.

Auctioneer Ellliott Potterton, of TE Potterton in Trim.

Sheila Flanagan and Tom Dunne at the launch of a Launch of a Meath Tourism Report in the Ardboyne Hotel, Navan.

Ann Reilly on reception at the Headfort Arms Hotel, Kells.

Teresa Allen of the Headfort Arms Hotel, Kells.

Chris Geogh, manager of The Loft Restaurant in Navan.

Television personality Frank Hall, who was an honorary member of Navan Chamber of Commerce, opening a trade show at the exhibition centre.

Pat Boylan, who was general manager at the Headfort Arms Hotel, Kells.


Education

The official opening of Scoil Mhíchíl Boys’ Primary School, Trim, in 1986, with Cllr. Noel Dempsey, chairman of Meath County Council, Cllr. Frank Anderson, chairman, Trim UDC, Dr. John McCormack, Bishop of Meath, Paddy Cooney, Minister for Education, Anthony Wallace, vice principal, and Sean Ó Díomasaigh, principal.

Bea Geraghty, chef d’equipe with the St Michael’s Diocesan Secondary School, Trim, equestrian team of Ivan Clarke, Ross Geraghty and Mark Gilleece.
Peter Eogan and Patricia McKenna at Peter’s retirement from O’Carolan College, Nobber.

Peter Eogan’s retirement from O’Carolan College, Nobber. Back row: Patrick Boyle, Liam Farrell, secretary of parent teacher association, Oliver Ward, John Finnegan, Dan Toole, James Weldon. Front: Bridget McMahon, Anne Condron, Peter Eogan, Ann Fogarty, Pauline Hanratty.

Minister for Education, Niamh Bhreathnach, examines a model of Batterstown Railway Station at Dunshaughlin Community College, with students Richie Quigley, Ulick McDonnell, John Reilly, Gordon O’Rourke and Stephen Naughton.

The Minister for Education, Niamh Breathnach, examines equipment in the science laboratory at Dunshaughlin Community College, with teacher Christy O’Sullivan and students Graham Dowd, Terence Wyse, Peter Smith, Therese Cudlipp, Sarah Gaughran, Conor O’Sullivan and Conor King.

A meeting of Navan secondary school students, Valerie Curran, Tracy O’Rourke, Tara Greally, Ronan Mulvaney, Ruth Duffy, Domhnall Dervan and Sinead O’Shea. 

Future Meath footballer Mark Reilly of Summerhill receives the 1991 Hurler of the Year award from St Micheal’s Diocesan School, Trim, with his trainers Pat Kelly and Tom Fox.

A debating team from St. Patrick’s Classical School, Navan, circa 1991 - Stephen Cowan, Brian Smith, Martin Hayes and Patrick Cochrane.

Fr. Joe McEvoy, CC, Dunshaughlin, plants a time capsule at Culmullen National School, assisted by schoolchildren and Charlie Moran.

Campaigners for a new primary school in Dunboyne, with Cllr. Mary Sylver.

Unveiling a plaque at the official opening of Gaelscoil na Cille, Ashbourne, were, from left, Bertie Ahern TD, leader of Fianna Fail, Pauline Carolan (chairperson of board of management), Eibhlin Pleamonn (acting principal), Paddy Duffy (principal), and Breandan O’Coingheallaigh (Dept. of Education).

At the official opening of the new classroom extension to St. Mary’s School, Robinstown, by Taoiseach John Bruton were, back, Maurice Codd, contractor, Dan Daly, principal,  Noel Dempsey TD, Brian Fitzgerald TD, Fr. Sean Heaney, PP, Joe Kavanagh, OPW architect; front, teachers, Antonia Sheridan, Ann Ennis, Colm Hilliard TD, and Dr Micheal Smith, Bishop of Meath, watched by pupils.

Student of the year prizegiving at Trim Vocational School  - Catherine Hoey of Bank of Ireland, principal Hugh McGlew, student Mark Magan and Susan Harper of Bank of Ireland.

Mary Kiernan of Concern accepting a cheque from Mary Ellen McPhelim and Neil Hackett on behalf of students of Trim Vocational School.

Receiving their Leaving Certificate results at Trim Vocational School -  Joey Reilly, Kenneth Casey, Micheal Dempsey and Francis Fox.

St. Patrick’s Classical School teacher Harry Casey with a religion book, ‘Pilgrims’ which he authored, with his friends Martin and Mary McAleese photographed on the front cover.

Navan Community College students Olivia Cahill, Fiona Glynn, Declan Canty, Francis Quinn and Susan O’Brien.

A Leaving Certificate group pictured at a fun day at Scoil Mhuire, Trim.


The Political Scene

Johnny Maguire on the Tower of Lloyd, Kells. He served as a Kells Urban District Council member from 1974 to 1999, and was chairman on four occasions.

Trim’s Noel Dempsey of Fianna Fail was a Dail deputy from 1987 to 2011 and served as a senior cabinet minister in three departments.

Albert Reynolds and CJ Haughey accompanied the Fianna Fail Euro candidates for Leinster, Jim Fitzsimons TD  and Paddy Lalor MEP, when they handed in their nomination papers to returning officer Máire Tehan in Trim in May 1984.

At a Sinn Fein meeting in Navan were Alana Nugent (Navan), Martin McGuinness, Cllr. Joe Reilly, Tony Cantwell, Cumann chairman and Lydia Cumiskey, Trim.

Joe Bruton welcomes his son John back to Dunboyne as leader of Fine Gael in 1990.

Opening the Clonee Bypass in November 1992 were engineer Oliver Perkins of Meath County Council, Cllr. Michael Lynch, chairman, Rev Gavin Williamson, Monsignor Edward Dunne, PP, Dunboyne and Michael McFadden, asst. county manager, Meath County Council.

Cllr. Tom Wallace, Carmel Murray, Cllr. Sib Rooney and Peter Finnegan at an Ógra Fianna Fail event.

Returning officer Maire Tehan accepts nomination papers from Fine Gael election candidates, John Bruton and John V. Farrelly. 

Prince Charles arriving at Newgrange accompanied by An Taoiseach John Bruton and his wife Finola, in 1995.

Cllr. Danny Fitzpatrick, chairman, Navan Urban District Council speaks at the opening of Navan Post Office by Fergal Quinn, chairman of An Post, in 1989.

Independent Meath county councillor, Gerry Marry, served from 1985 to 1999.

Labour TD, Frank McLoughlin and his wife Dympna, Trim.

Charlie Haughey addressing a Fianna Fail gathering in Navan alongside the party’s director of elections in Meath, Richie Healy.


On the Land


Paddy Dowd, Cooksland, Dunshaughlin saving hay in the traditional way.

Francis Saul, Drumconrath with his sheep dog Tip rounding up sheep at the Slane Castle Town and Country Fair, June 1990.

John and Paul Vaughan from Tara bringing in the hay.

Jack Smyth feeding cattle at Talestown, Navan.

At Ashbourne Mart - Stephen Collins, Richard 'Dickser' Dunne, David Duane and Eamon Woods. (Eroor in book: Richard Doran is Richard Dunne).

Brian Cooney was a familiar face as a vegetable street trader, on Kennedy Road, Navan.

Bernadette and Teresa Castles in the bag! Athboy Macra na Feirme Field Evening, 1970s.

Tony and Fedja Cameron of Kells, Texel sheep breeders.

Alice McAuley on the Louis A McAuley stand at a local agri-show.

Mary Wallace from Ratoath, who was a TD from 1989 to 2011, and served as a junior minister. 

Des Smyth says hello to an ostrich when farmers in Robinstown and Dunderry went into ostrich farming.

Pat Smyth, Robinstown, examining ostrich eggs.

Taoiseach John Bruton tries some of Pat Smyth’s ostrich meat, watched by Leslie Clarke of Navan Chamber of Commerce.

James Brogan cooks up an ostrich steak.

Mrs SW Henderson of Beauparc with her Aberdeen Angus.

Julia Bird, Dunlever House, Trim, with her Aberdeen Angus.

Thomas Potterton of TE Potterton, Trim and Delvin, John Newman (exhibitor), Kells and Nicholas Keogh (judge), Dunshaughlin, at the sheep sales in Trim.

Harry McQuaid of the dairy staff at Warrenstown College of Agriculture.

Brother James O’Hare, principal of Warrenstown Horticultural College.

Dennis Murtagh, apple technician at Warrenstown College of Agriculture, Drumree.

Pierce Callaghan lending a hand feeding the deer.

Navan farmer Harry Kellett with his prizewinning flock of Suffolk sheep.

Gerry Callaghan pictured with his herd of deer at Dunderry - deer farming became popular in the 1990s.

Christina Callaghan feeding deer in Dunderry.

An open farm day at Johnny Bird’s Ayrshire Farm, Ballyconnell, Longwood, 1991. Back row, from left: Brian O’ Rourke, Boardsmill. Kevin Coloe, Clonard, Gordon Dixon, Layton Dixon and Roland O’Rourke, Boardsmill. Front: Ann-Marie Manley, Peter Manley and Michael Òg Manley, Monasteries, Edenderry, Co Offaly.

Eleanor Meade, Philip Meade, Erin McKeever, David McKeever and Ros McKeever  with Emerald Isle potatoes at Meades of Lobinstown.

Future president of the Irish Farmers’ Association, Eddie Downey, Slane, with Rosemarie Smith, Carlanstown, national chairperson of the IFA Farm Family Committee from 1990 to 1994. 

Kilmessan farmer Michael Dennehy (centre) was presented with a quality milk production award by Virginia Dairies.

Christopher O’Brien Lynch, president of the Irish Veterinary Association.

Founding members of Athboy Macra  - Patsy McGuinness, Patsy McGurl and Paddy Cassidy, Frank Holland, chairman, Athboy Community Council, Brendan Smith, Macra chairman, and Sean Kelleher.

Sporting Heroes

Liam Hayes in action in the 1991 All-Ireland Senior Football Final, with Brian Stafford at the rearguard, Down’s Conor Deegan on the ground, and DJ Kane on right.

Alan Gillick of Navan was among the Meath supportors at the Canal End of Croke Park in 1991.

Fr. Matt Mollin, PP, Ballivor presents newly commissioned special limited editions of a Ballivor club tie commemorating 60 years of the club to two surviving members of the first Ballivor team of 1930, Pat Garry and John Brennan.

Richard Byrne presents Knockharley Cricket Club Player of the Year to PJ Carroll.

A Feile na Peile Parade on Navan’s Abbey Road.

Irish international showjumper, Captain John Ledingham of Bective.

John Donnelly of Bank of Ireland presents Trim Athletics Club’s Star Athlete of the Year trophy to Margaret McLoone. 

Referee Tommy Howard goes down with cramp during the Meath-Dublin Leinster SFC first round marathon of 1991.

Dunderry supporters of Meath at Croke Park - Fiachra Geraghty, Michael Newman, Fergie Conway and Gary Newman.

Martin O’Connell with Brian Stafford and David Beggy following Meath’s 1991 Leinster Final win over Laois.

Ciaran O’Rafferty (front left) and Richard Cosgrove (front right) with Shane and Ronan O’Rafferty, and (back, left to right) Ann, Philip and Michael Cosgrove, all Enfield, at Meath Minor Championships in Park Tailteann, Navan.

With time up, the giant scoreboard loomed over Croke Park before PJ Gillic delighted Meath fans with an injury time equaliser.... the Meath-Dublin marathon of 1991.

Where’s the ball? ...Terry Connor and Gerry Hargan.

The Tighes from Drumconrath -  Michael, Louis, Christopher and Derek - in Croke Park for another famous Meath-Dublin clash.

Michael Turley (Laois) tries to get past Mick Lyons in Leinster SFC Final of 1991.
The disappointment is etched on their faces after losing the All Ireland final... Bernard and Madeline Flynn.
Liam Harnan of Meath is consoled after the 1991 All Ireland SFC final loss.
Martin O’Connell taking in defeat by Down in 1991.

Cathal Sheridan, captain of the Moynalvey Kilcloon team that won the Meath Minor Championship in 1991, receives the cup from Minor Board chairman, Johnny O’Sullivan.

Martin Crosbie, Alan Gillic, and Donie McGourty celebrating Meath’s win in the 1991 Leinster Junior Football Championship Final at Croke Park.

An anniversary reunion of the Trim and Navan teams that competed for the 1953 Keegan Cup in the Meath SFC final. Back: George Coffey, Billy Andrews, Sonny Kelly, Jim Fay, Ollie Reilly, Frankie Kelly, Mick Leonard, Christy Leonard, Dick Mee, Luke Fay, all Trim. Middle: Peter McDermott, Frankie McEvoy, Dessie Brennan, Joe Bartley, Frankie Rafferty, Patsy Ratty, Frankie Byrne, Paddy Yore, Seamus King. Front: Jack Moyles, Ned Giles, Johnny Heerey, Br Brendan O’Sullivan, Tony McCormack, Fr Packie Tully, chairman, Meath County Board, Jackie Carroll, Leo Finlay, Tony Sheridan and Joe Heerey, Navan.  (Note, the caption is in reverse in the book due to a production error).

The Meath senior All-Ireland winning football teams of 1949 and 1954, honoured as Irish Nationwide GAA Great Teams of the Past, with Liam Mulvihill GAA director general, Michael Fingleton of Irish Nationwide, GAA president, Jack Boothman, and broadcaster, Micheal O’Hehir, in front row.

The Walterstown side that played in a Meath SFC semi-final in Kells.

Captain’s Drive-in at Royal Tara - TP Byrne, Ann Battersby, Vincent Lane and Patti Holland.

The Royal Tara team that took part in the All-Ireland Ladies Four Ball Championship, 1996. Back Row, from left: Mary Murray, Marian Cleary, Julie Cronnelly, Lucia Farrell, Siobhan Carey and Brigid Davis. Front: Nancy Long, lady captain, and Ann Battersby, lady president, with an Ulster Bank representative. 

Paddy White and David Monaghan of the St. Lawrence Hotel, Navan, honouring Kenneth Cantwell and Steven Carolan, captains of the St Patrick’s Classical School senior and junior football teams, on a Leinster Colleges double.

Vincent Keating of Keating & Sons Oil Distributors presents first prize to Terry Brady, winner of the BoynesideTraders golf outing in Trim, with Joe Griffith, Captain, Boyneside Traders Society.

Meath Ras Tailteann winning cyclists, Brian Connaughton 1969, Kevin Kimmage 1991, Philip Cassidy, 1983 and 2000, and Seamus Kennedy, 1978. Dubliner Kimmage was riding for a Meath team - other Meath winners were Ben McKenna and Colm Nulty.

Brendan Cummins (right), Meath County Board PRO, presenting the Club Persons of the Year award 1996 to Colm and Barbara Smyth, at the Castletown GFC annual dinner.

Enjoying a race day... two former Fairyhouse Racecourse managers, Roy Craigie and Norman Colfer.

Lord Fingall’s No Other after his win in the Kilternan Hurdle, Leopardstown, ridden by Bobby Coonan. 

Andy Lynch, Dunsany, riding Pat Phelan’s Coralia in the RDS.

Showjumper Eddie Macken, Granard and Kells, a member of the three-in-a-row Aga Khan winning team that included Paul Darragh, Captain Con Power and James Kernan, between 1977 and 1979.

Jockey AJ Martin on his way to victory at a point-to-point meeting at Tallonstown, Co Louth.

Vanton, ridden by Jason Titley and trained by Michael O’Brien, winner of the 1992 Grand National at Fairyhouse.

Taoiseach John Bruton presents former Taoiseach, Charles Haughey, with the 1995 Irish Grand National Cup  at Fairyhouse, following the victory of Mr. Haughey’s Flashing Steel in the race, with Richard Burrowes, of sponsors Irish Distillers.

Checking out the redevelopment of the stand at Fairyhouse Racecourse were trainer, Jim Dreaper, chairman of Fairyhouse Racecourse, Standish Collen, Mary Wallace TD, and Pierce Duggan, manager of Fairyhouse.

At the Bisquit Cognac Racing Personality Awards 1997 were John Daly, Dan Daly, The Bush, Dunshaughlin, owner of Irish Champion Hurdle winner Cockney Lad, Michael Murphy of Irish Distillers and champion jockey Eddie Ahern. 

Christy Kinane, racing writer Raymond Smith, Phyllis Maguire, mother of Kilmessan jockey Adrian, and Tommy Carberry of Ratoath at the launch of Raymond Smith’s ‘Tigers of the Turf’.

1980 Meath Personality of the Year, trainer Des McDonagh, Moynalty, and his wife Helen. They trained Monksfield to win the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle in 1978 and 1979.

Paddy and Elizabeth Murray at their son Martin’s stable at Garlow Cross, Navan. Paddy was long associated with Arkle at Tom Dreaper’s Greenogue stables.

The Strand Races at Laytown are one of only seven such meetings run under official rules in Europe.

Ger Dowd, Dunshaughlin, Meath minor footballer and winning rider of the 1978 Irish Grand National on Jim Dreaper’s Brown Lad.

Judge Frank Roe, Jacqueline O’Brien and Sean Farrelly, Ardee, at Bellewstown Races.

Former Republic of Ireland manager, Jack Charlton, a regular visitor to fish on the River Boyne.

Mannix Dowdall of Donaghmore, Navan. His working life was spent on Navan Racecourse and on his retirement, the Mannix Dowdall Maiden Hurdle was named in his honour.

Curraha runner Packie Mulvaney, who went to America on a sports scholarship. 

Dunshaughlin runner Tommy Maher. 

Tara’s Olympic hurdler Sean Cahill, who represented Ireland in Atlanta in 1996.

Kentstown rally driver Donal Bowens and navigator John Fitzgerald had lots of national and international rally successes.

Kells CBS senior rugby team captain Jody Devine, Junior team vice captain, Bernard O’Brien, and junior captain, Brendan Brady, when the school won the senior and junior rugby leagues in 1986.

Peter Brady in action for Navan Rugby Club, supported by Jim Finnegan and Liam Sherlock.

Meath County Board Chairman Fintan Ginnity (right) unveiling a plaque at the official opening of Kilbride GFC’S clubhouse and sports field, with Bishop of Meath Dr Micheal Smith, and Kilbride presidents Sean Rothwell and Kieran O’Farrell, Tommy Mahon, chairman, and Austin Reddan, secretary.

Competitors in a Meath Tennis Open were, from left Phyllis Allen, Kay McKenna, Kay Harnett, Jean McDaniels, Patricia Nicoll and Catherine Arrigan.

Former RTE sports commentator Micheal O’Hehir his wife Molly and grandson, Sean Bartels, with Ollie and Ger Shanley, and Peter McDermott, at a Meath 1967 SFC team 25th anniversary function in the Russell Arms Hotel, Navan.

In the stand... Noel Meade, Brian Stafford, Colm O’Rourke and PJ Gillic.

Rally driver Rosemary Smith, who lived at Clonee, was famous for her association with the Hillman Imp.

Republic of Ireland footballer Niall Quinn meets local children, Brush Shiels, and an autograph hunter on a visit to Gaelscoil na Rithe, Dunshaughlin.

Three times ladies Circuit of Ireland co-champion  - 1981, ‘84 and ‘85, rally driver Catherine Treacy.

FBD Milk Ras Queen, Michelle Kennedy.

Trim’s Michael Fay, home from London, with Meath footballers Gerry McEntee and Alan Browne at a post All Ireland celebration dinner in Malahide.

Members of the Trim Boxing Club including All Ireland championship winner, Kevin Cumiskey (centre row, extreme left).

Thomas Clarke batting for Knockharley Cricket Club, Beauparc.

Stephen Kelly, is presented with a Dunshaughlin Utd Player of the Year Award by John Bagster, treasurer of the Leinster Football Association.

Jockey Adrian Maguire receives a presentation from his nephews, Jason and Leon, with staff of Kilmessan National School, after winning the 1992 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Cool Ground. Jason subsequently became an Aintree Grand National winning jockey in 2011, on Ballabriggs, for Donald McCain.

Drinking Cork tea no less! Meath manager Sean Boylan (left) and Man of the Match Tommy Dowd launch National Tea Day, in aid of the Alzheimer Society.

Like father, like son... Meath and Kells footballer, Terry Ferguson, and his father, Des ‘Snitchy’ Ferguson, both All Ireland senior football medallists, Terry with Meath and Dessie with Dublin.

James McGuinness, Kilmessan, captain of the Meath under-16 hurling team, with manager, TJ Reilly.

Around the County

The Auxillary Bishop of Meath Dr. Michael Smith (centre), with from left, Dr John McCormack, Bishop of Meath, Archbishop Gaetano Alibrandi, Papal Nuncio, and Cardinal Tomas O Fiaich, Archbishop of Armagh.

The choir at Mass in Dunsany Abbey to mark the centenary of the GAA in 1984.

A unique Mass was celebrated in Dunsany Abbey in 1984 to celebrate the centenary of the GAA and remember past Dunsany club members, celebrated by Fr. Conal Collier, O Carm, Fr. Joseph Garvey, CC, and Fr. Brendan Comerford, SJ.

Fr. Michael Walsh (left) receives a wallet of notes on his departure from Dunshaughlin parish, from Fr. Brendan Caffrey, PP, and John Holland, principal, Dunshaughlin Community College. Fr. Walsh also received a writing bureau from the parishioners of Dunshaughlin and Culmullen.

Dr. John McCormack, Bishop of Meath, arriving at Ashbourne parish hall with Fr. Fintan Cassidy, Ashbourne.
You don’t say?! Willie Cumming of the Office of Public Works, Trim, with Oliver Perkins, Meath County Council, Rev. JAG Barrett, rector, Trim, and Monsignor Sean Kenny, parish priest.

Fr. Michael Walsh (left) receives a wallet of notes on his departure from Dunshaughlin parish, from Fr. Brendan Caffrey, PP, and John Holland, principal, Dunshaughlin Community College. Fr. Walsh also received a writing bureau from the parishioners of Dunshaughlin and Culmullen.

Altar servers Brian Smyth, Donal Gavigan and David Larkin took in some of an OMP vs Dromin United match on their way to Mass in St. Oliver’s Church, Blackcastle, Navan, in September 1991. 

Garda Denis Fogarty, Kells Road, Navan who won £905,479 in the National Lottery  in January 1994, pictured with his wife Bernie, daughter Lisa and son, Robert.

Michael and Patsi Glennon, Ballyfallon, Athboy, in the National Lottery Headquarters, Dublin with members of their family, collecting a cheque for £721,243 in 1988.

Kathleen Lynch from Trim won £100,000 in the early days of the National Lottery, in January 1988.

Michael and Patsi Glennon, Ballyfallon, Athboy, in the National Lottery Headquarters, Dublin with members of their family, collecting a cheque for £721,243 in 1988.

Washing the feet at the Kieran Well devotions in Carnaross.

Navan Junior Rotary club - Back, Peter Gallagher, Mary Lavelle, Vincent Dunne; front, Alison Vickers, Liam O’Rourke, Ann Murnane.

John, Finola and Cormac Harkin in Murphy’s Shop, Dunshaughlin.

Meath senior football team manager Sean Boylan receives the 1988 Meath Chronicle-Ernst and Whinny Meath Sports Personality of the Year Award from Minister for Social Welfare, Michael Woods, with Bishop Michael Smith, and at back, Ann and Sean Muldoon, and Margot and Jack Davis, of the sponsors.

Rex Lee with the Tara Mines Trophy for Meath Personality of the Year, 1980.

Special Olympics swimmer Cathal McDonagh, Navan, recipient of the Meath Personality of the Year Award 1986, with Aiden McCormack, president of Royal Meath Association of Dublin, Michael, Siobhan, Oona McDonagh and Michael Regan. Front, left to right: Moira Blackrock, Tara Mines, Tera, Cathal McDonagh and Orla McDonagh.

Taoiseach Albert Reynolds with local children at a St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Trim.

Oldcastle poet and publisher, Peter Fallon.

Randal Plunkett, Lord Dunsany, Nora Owen, Minister for Justice, and Canadian detective, Denis Bergeron, at the 1995 return of Van Dyck paintings stolen from the castle five years earlier.

Mary Duff, a nurse at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, was Meath Personality of the Year in 1984.

Athboy Community Council Culture Competition winners from O’Growney NS, with Ebbie Ennis, chairperson of Athboy Community Council,  Bridget Ennis NT,  and Andy Byrne, Athboy Community Person of the Year, were Valerie Coleman, Claire Gallagher, Gavis Smyth, Christina Nea, Fionnuala Hammond, and front, Trevor Matthews.

Librarian and councillor, Peter Crinion, with young readers Sinead Sturdy and Danielle Walsh, in Trim Library.

Paddy Dempsey and Mary Bird, organisers of a school parents dance in the Wellington Court Hotel, Trim.

A team from Beaufort College, Navan in an LMFM quiz - Emma Stapleton, Janice Bowens, Rowan Dardis and Gillian Tuite.

PV Dunne and Eileen Smyth at a Red Cross Fashion Show in Trim.

Veterinary surgeon Michael Carolan, Navan, with Cllr. Andy Brennan, and Sooner the dog.

Mark Kerrigan, Treasa Buckle (Brisbane, Australia), and Mary Kerrigan, at the opening of O’Shaughnessy’s Pub, Kells.

Brendan Smyth, Navan Rotary Club, Mary Toole, St. Vincent de Paul, Willie O’Brien Lynch, Rotary Club, and Bobby Kennedy of the Palace and Lyric cinemas, launch a film night for St. Vincent de Paul.

Raymond Keaveney from Carlanstown was director of the National Gallery.

Aileen Maguire, matron, Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan with Health Minister, Mr. Barry Desmond, during the official opening of a new casualty unit at the hospital.

Around the County

The Cross of Kells in its original location in the centre of Kells.

A view of Ashbourne’s main street in the 1980s.

Gartlan’s landmark thatched pub in Kingscourt.

McElhinney’s famous fashion store in Athboy, founded by Molly McElhinney.

Fox’s public house which once stood at the bottom of Watergate Street, Navan, where the ring road now passes through. The business moved to Flower Hill.

The legendary three-times Aintree Grand National winner, Ginger McCain’s Red Rum, visits Kelly’s Pub in Dunboyne.

Claire Johnson in Murray’s Drapery, over the Dunshaughlin public house.

Teresa Murray in the old bar of Murray’s Pub, Dunshaughlin.

Brendan and Teresa Murray outside their Dunshaughlin public house, hardware and drapery store.

The County Club at The Bush, Rathbeggan, Dunshaughlin - A Rolls Royce to bring you to the County Club, Dunshaughlin.

Inn Moderation, Main Street, Athboy, winner of the Meath 1996 Best Newcomer Black & White Pub of the Year (Now Coburns and the Lawrence Hotel).

A cricket match at Headfort School, Kells.

The Wellington Court Hotel, Trim. (now the Castle Arch Hotel).

Michael Tallon at Martry Mill.

St. Mary’s Church in Julianstown was built in 1982 replacing an earlier church in the townland of Demanistown which was built between 1835 and 1837.

Carol Byrne, Laura Tallon, and Michelle Byrne outside Navan’s former courthouse on Ludlow Street.