Meath Chronicle returns to its ‘spiritual home’ on Market Square

This week marks the end of an era for the Meath Chronicle after it saw off the last edition to be published from its Timmons Hill premises ahead of the paper's exciting move to pastures new.

Thankfully there's not too far to travel with the title moving back to its spiritual home on Market Square and the Meath Chronicle Printing Works building

After lying idle for many years the listed building has been lovingly restored and re-purposed to meet the needs and ambitions of Meath's paper of record well into the future.

The 'new' premises includes a ground floor reception with advertising and commercial departments occupying the first floor with the studio and editorial department on the floor above.

The ground floor also includes a retail unit available to rent.

Work to restore the facade of the iconic building to its former glory were undertaken in 2019 with work largely funded by the Historic Towns Initiative 2019 and overseen by the Heritage Department of Meath County Council in conjunction with architect Robert Kenny.

Following the detailed conservation work on the Meath Chronicle building by the experienced specialist restoration firm, O’Hagan Heritage, based in Stamullen, work began to transform the former stationary retail outlet and residence into modern office space for the Meath Chronicle staff.

Frank Mulrennan, chief executive of Celtic Media Group, said: “We are delighted that this fine listed building, which is so important to the heritage of Market Square and Navan, received the necessary funding for returning the front facades to the manner in which they deserve to be maintained. Our own company has in the past year invested further considerable money to see the interior building transformed into new and vibrant offices for the Meath Chronicle team.

“We are also very pleased to have had the expertise of Dean O’Hagan and his firm for these works. We have seen previous restorative projects undertaken by O’Hagan Heritage and were most impressed and we are delighted with the work he and his team did on Market Square.”

Mr Mulrennan said he appreciated the support and understanding of their neighbours on Market Square while the renovation works were carried out.

A newspaper was first published by MP, James McCann, on the Market Square site in January 1903, called The Irish Peasant. This publication was devoted to the promotion of economic activities and the social and industrial advancement of the people, especially around good farming techniques.

The newspaper which also advocated secular education was suppressed by its proprietors because of the threat of Cardinal Logue to denounce it and forbid Irish Catholics to read it. This pressure from the Cardinal led to the paper closing, but it reappeared in Dublin under the title The Peasant.

The Meath Chronicle later came to be published and printed from the site and today’s newspaper continues to be published from Market Square.

Meath Chronicle Editor, Gavan Becton, said it was a landmark day to see the brand returning to Market Square and its spiritual home.

"We sent the last page on Tuesday 25th January and we'll be plotting next week's edition and many more from our new surrounds on Market Square.

"It seems so right that this move should be happening now. We're emerging from such a challenging two years and looking ahead with all our readers and advertisers to a brighter future, and it's wonderful to be doing that from our brand new home."