Boyne Valley Drive enhancement plans includes improved walking trails

Major plans to enhance to Boye Valley Drive with improved walking trails, seating, parking areas, as well as information and road signs were outlined at a meeting of Meath County Council yesterday, Monday.

Improvements to the Slane Heritage Trail, the Navan Ramparts and Boyne River Walk as well as the Trim Castle Walk are among the projects in the plan which aims to transform the existing point to point car based journey, into a "multi-faceted landscape experience that celebrates the 5000 year story of the region as a living place."

Councillors heard the proposals included 37 gateway signs in Meath, which would mark arrival into tourism clusters by road, rail, bus and greenway, They also include 19 arrival signs in Meath that provide information at the chosen arrival points. There are also plans for increased wayfinding and interpretive signage;

The works proposed also include walking trail improvements, accessibility enhancements, surface upgrades, seating, minor structures and biodiversity enhancements.

Showcase projects include the 6km Slane Heritage trail, 3km of which is within the built environment on existing footpath with the remainder through grasslands, woodland and existing farm tracks. The trail links Slane Village with Slane Castle Demesne.

Works at the Navan Ramparts and Boyne River Walk include gravel overlay and a new concrete path providing an accessible route across the lock including a bridge, arrival signs and bin relocation.

Gravel overlay will be provided at the Trim Castle Walk along with resurfacing at the car park to aid accessibility. The works will include new signage and bespoke seating, a wildflower meadow and engraved paving around the existing pillory

The Boyne Valley Drive takes in many of the best places to visit in Meath along with many of the top attractions in Louth. The route immerses visitors in 5,000 years of history, and is home to heavyweights like Newgrange, the Hill of Tara and Loughcrew.

The development will consist of installation of a range of tourism signage including road side signage, arrival information, wayfinding and interpretation signage to guide visitors at arrival points and visitor experiences.

Cllr Alan Tobin asked if they would be able to put signs on the motorways in the county and was told that they would be engaging with Transport Infrastructure Ireland who are responsible for all motorway signage.

Cllr Emer Toibin asked if it was possible where there was overlap with Turas Colmbanus to co-ordinate signage for that trail

She was told they do not want a proliferation of signs, so they will look at rationalisation and combining signage. The Columbanus trail which stretches from Carlow to County Down, is currently being developed and there will be more information on it and how it ties in with the Boyne Valley Drive in due course.

The key points of the Boyne Valley Drive include Balrath Woods, Skryne, Hill of Tara, Bective Abbey, Trim, Hill of Ward, Loughcrew, Kells Monastic Site, Spire of Loyd, Donaghpatrick Church, Donaghmore Round Tower, Slane, Old Mellifont Abbey, Monasterboice, Drogheda, Battle of the Boyne Site and Bru na Boinne. Visitors can start at any point along the drive.