Taoiseach endorses French's Boyne Valley book

Fine Gael councillor in Trim and local historian Noel French presented a copy of his new book 'Discovering the Boyne Valley' to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar this week. 

Mr Varadkar stated: "Noel's dedication to the promotion of the Boyne Valley as a tourist attraction spans four decades. His love of the history and heritage of the area shines through in this book, which will no doubt encourage visitors to explore the rich heritage of the area. - A great book on a wonderful part of Ireland.” 
Minister for European Affairs,  Helen McEntee said she was pleased that the new tourism guide had been published.  She said linking the major sites like Tara and Newgrange to the lesser sites in the Boyne Valley would assist the spread of visitors throughout the region and improve the economies of many different areas including Kells and Slane.

“Meath attracts more than 140,000 visitors each year and tourism generates a revenue close to €50 million for the local economy. I would like to congratulate Noel on his tremendous work in promoting the area and this is just another step in developing this important industry” concluded Minister McEntee. 
Trim Tourism Network presents the launch of 'Discovering the Boyne Valley', published by Mercier Pressm, performed by Myles Dungan, presenter of 'The History Show' on RTÉ Radio One, at The Stockhouse, Finnegan's Way, Trim, at 8pm on Thursday 12th July. The author's royalties from the book being donated to the Alzheimer’s Society, Meath Branch and donations accepted on the night. Entertainment and a bit of 'craic are promised and all are welcome.

'Discovering the Boyne Valley'

The Boyne Valley is one of the gems of Ireland's Ancient East it is a place of history, myths and legends. This rich valley is home to some of Ireland's most famous heritage sites and monuments – Tara, Newgrange, Kells and the Battle of the Boyne site – but there are many others including Trim Castle, Loughcrew, Monasterboice and Mellifont which are major attractions in their own right. A landscape of passage tombs, sacred hills, monastic ruins, bloody battlefields and heritage towns – no wonder the Boyne Valley is considered the birthplace of Ireland’s Ancient East.
The legends, stories and history of these places have been brought together by local historian and guide Noel French in a new book Discovering the Boyne Valley.  The book is a full-colour production packed with stunning images and stories that will delight tourists and locals alike.
If you are looking for the perfect spot for a family picnic, to find the location of a tiny sliver of the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified, or what Pierce Brosnan, Dylan Moran, Tommy Tiernan and Hector Ó hEochagáin have in common you will find the answer in this jewel of a book.
The Boyne Valley is the stunning landscape that rises up around the famous river Boyne, just north of Dublin and is a relatively small area to explore, allowing you to discover many of the major attractions in a day. This book focuses on the highlights of the area but there are many more minor sites along the way. The Boyne Valley is one of Ireland's most magical and important historical areas made up of County Meath which proudly boasts itself the heritage capital of Ireland and County Louth the land of legends. 
The Boyne Valley is a place of history, myths, and legends. The rich valley is home to a range of heritage sites and monuments; places like Tara, Newgrange, Kells and the Battle of the Boyne site are well known nationally and internationally but there are other sites such as Trim, Loughcrew, Monasterboice and Mellifont which would be major attractions in their own right were they not overshadowed by these more recognised locations. The towns of the area including Navan and Drogheda have their own attractions.  
The Boyne Valley was one of the first areas settled in Ireland. The world famous tombs at Bru na Boinne constructed over 5000 years ago continue to impress us.  County Meath is celebrated as the Royal County, the place from which the high kings of Ireland reigned from their ritual seat on Tara, and the legends of Ireland were written in the nearby fields.  In the Boyne Valley St. Patrick first preached the Christian faith in Ireland lighting the Pascal fire on the hill of Slane.
Schools of learning were quickly established.  Kells is famed throughout the world for its high crosses and illuminated manuscripts.  The Viking raiders visited this fertile valley to prey on the easy pickings of the rich monastic settlements.  Their descendants, the Normans, constructed their largest castle at Trim to govern the new colony.  These talented builders erected castles, churches, monasteries and crosses which are strewn along the banks of the Boyne and its tributary the Blackwater.
Another visitor to the Boyne Valley was Cromwell who wreaked havoc at Drogheda, an event which caused him to be hated in Ireland.  The Battle of the Boyne took place at Oldbridge where King William and King James battled it out for the throne of these islands.  New conquerors came and the big houses and the mansions of the landlords now sit prettily above the river. The Irish people continued to seek their independence and in 1798 a small battle took place on Tara.  The hill was also the site of a monster meeting held by Daniel O’Connell, the Liberator.  
I have spent the last forty years in the Boyne Valley and I never tire of revisiting any of the sites in this book. I cannot physically go back in history but my mind travels back when I walk the ground that people inhabited for over five thousand years. I hope you get as much enjoyment from visiting these places as I do. 
Try to go off peak as it is at that time the crowds are less and you can get time to enjoy the sites more comfortably. Also at off peak times it is usually the experienced guides that are on site and they have years of knowledge which they love to share with visitors. For this book thanks are due to Fechin Heery, Malachy Hand, Michael Fox, Derek Smith, Michael Farry, Danny Cusack, Paschal Marry, John Devitt, Ethna Cantwell, Vincent Mulvaney and Paula McCaul.
The author’s royalties for this book are being donated in their entirety to the Meath branch of the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland in memory of my mother who suffered from that disease.