Slane workers' cottages to be tourism and heritage centre

A row of old cottages in Slane is to handed over the Meath County Council next Monday by Lord Henry Mountcharles. The cottages, which are believed to be 18th century artisan dwellings which were home to workers on the Slane Castle Estate, are expected to be used as a heritage centre and tourism office in the village. There is a question over the name of the row of cottages, which are known locally as both Cavan Row and Cannon Row. It is believed it is called Cavan Row because of the labourers or artisans, who came from Cavan to work at the Slane Estate. Other locals say it was called Lilac Lane due to the Lilac tree located at the end of the row, which is now gone. The council is planning to develop a heritage centre and tourist centre in the historic buildings. Lord Henry Mountcharles has been concerned about appropriate tourist facilities in Slane for many years and had been among those who campaigned to have the Bru na Boinne Centre located in the estate village, which celebrated its 250th anniversary this year. This week he said that the Cavan Row project was something he had been working with for some time with the Meath County Manager. Local councillor, Wayne Harding, said the cottages have been earmarked as a heritage centre for the village and it was envisaged that Slane Historical Society would work closely with the council on this project. "This would really enhance the village as a tourist attraction and I very much welcome this fantastic amenity for the area," he said. He pointed out that the new Slane Heritage Trail starts at the cottages. The official handover of the cottages will take place at County Hall, Navan next Monday. The Slane Historic Trail, launched last week by Heritage and Tourism Minister Mary Hanafin, is a self-guided historical tour of Slane Village developed by Meath County Council, Meath Tourism and the Slane Historic and Tourism Committees over the past number of months. The trail recognises the heritage of the village through the 17 historic points now marked out through plaques and panels. It highlights the main historic sites including the Hill of Slane, where St Patrick is reputed to have lit the first paschal fire and introduced Christianity to Ireland; Slane Mill, which is a fine example of Georgian industrial architecture, and Slane Castle, an iconic attraction and well-known the world over for its legendary music concerts.