Plan to protect Navan’s 12th century walls

The heritage funding announced last week will see the development of conservation plan which will provide a framework for the preservation of Navan's Medieval Town Walls.

The plan will provide a framework of measures that would help preserve what is left of the 12th century walls to ensure their protection into the future.

Local archaeologist, Clare Ryan, said a holistic examination of the site would be undertaken to inform the conservation plan.

"The work will have to ensure we protect what is still there. The visible parts of the wall at Abbey Road are covered in ivy and specialised work is needed to protect them.

"Ideally any plan should open up the walls to the public. Almost 80 per cent of the people of Navan don't even know they are there," she said.

The visible remains of the wall at Barrack Lane/ Abbey Road are a 15metre stretch of wall along with a semi-circular bastion.

Ms Ryan predicted that the Conservation Plan would be of use for protecting and enhancing the walls, and for education, research and improving local understanding of the walls and their significance, as well as for tourism.

She pointed out that aside from Abbey Road a portion of the wall still exists to the rear of Leon's Cafe towards Bedford Place, as well as an extremely large stone structure underground at Timmons Hill which was discovered during broadband works.

Cllr Edward Fennessy who proposed at the March meeting of Navan Municipal Council that they apply for funding for the walls, welcomed last week's allocation.

"Clare Ryan and Ethna Cantwell from the Navan Historical Society deserve high praise for helping to prepare the funding applications for both projects. We're lucky to have historians of such calibre in Navan, our heritage is safe in their hands," he said.

"From my own perspective, it was an honour to have played a small part in facilitating the conservation of Navan's medieval town walls. "I'm delighted the department approved this funding, it will go a long way towards preserving our local heritage and opening it up to future generations."

Gregg Clarke of the Meath Association of An Taisce said the current funding for Babe's Bridge will cover the employment of experts and conservation consultants to undertake three dimensional and condition surveys of the bridge structure, to assess the structure and to draw up a plan and specification for works to conserve the bridge.

"After this work is complete, An Taisce will publish the results of the studies and details of the proposed works. The next stage will be to find funding and contractors to undertake the conservation works." he said.

Babes Bridge, at the Ramparts in Navan is the oldest surviving, authenticated stone bridge/arch in Ireland.

With an expanse of 80metres, only a single stone arch survives of the original eleven arches spanning the river Boyne

In the 12th century, King Henry II granted the land to the powerful Norman De Lacy family. The Normans brought the art of stone bridge-building to Ireland when they landed in 1169.

Babes and Bohardy Bridge in Normandy have many similarities in design and construction.

It is likely that Babes bridge was designed by a master mason sent over from France.

The bridge is named after John le Baub, a Norman knight who left six acres of land for its upkeep.