Must See Sights and Landmarks in Drogheda Area

"Recently renovated, the playground at Malahide Castle and Gardens consists of swings, slides, climbing frames and other items of interest to suit kids of all ages. It is split into two sections with an area suited to toddlers and another more suited to older children. There are picnic benches for parents to relax at while keeping an eye on their children - perfect for when the kids get hungry after all that playing!"

"If you're looking for fresh, locally sourced produce, then look no further than Malahide Farmer's Market. With over 20 stalls, visitors will find freshly baked goods, fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese and other produce from local farmers. It's open from 1.30pm until 6pm every Saturday, and during summer, it also opens on the first Sunday of every month."

"Malahide Castle is over 800-years-old and is home to brilliant grounds for families to explore together. From the butterfly glasshouse to the fairy trail in the woods, the playground and, of course, the castle itself, there is no shortage of things for kids to do at Malahide Castle. Address: Malahide, Co."

"The extraordinarily preserved yet little-visited ruins of Cistercian Bective Abbey are off the R161, 7km northeast of Trim. Founded by Murchadh O'Melaghin, King of Meath, in 1147, the abbey was confiscated by Henry VIII between 1536 and 1541 to fund his military campaign. Like Trim Castle, Bective Abbey also played a starring role in the film Braveheart. The evocative ruins are free to visit and are open round the clock; there's a small car park next to the site."

"Proof of Trim's medieval importance, this remarkably preserved edifice was Ireland's largest Anglo-Norman fortification. Hugh de Lacy founded Trim Castle in 1173, but it was destroyed by Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, Ireland's last high king, within a year. The building you see today was begun around 1200 and has hardly been modified since.Entertaining guided tours involve climbing narrow, steep stairs, so aren't suitable for very young children or anyone with restricted mobility. Self-guided tours are also available."

"In its Anglo-Norman prime, this abbey, 1.5km off the main Drogheda–Collon road (R168), was the Cistercians' first and most magnificent centre in Ireland. Highly evocative and well worth exploring, the ruins still reflect the site's former splendour.Mellifont's most recognisable building and one of the country's finest examples of Cistercian architecture is the 13th-century lavabo, the monks' octagonal washing room."

"A startling 80m in diameter and 13m high, Newgrange's white round stone walls, topped by a grass dome, look eerily futuristic. Underneath lies the finest Stone Age passage tomb in Ireland – one of the most remarkable prehistoric sites in Europe. Dating from around 3200 BC, it predates Egypt's pyramids by some six centuries.The tomb's precise alignment with the sun at the time of the winter solstice suggests it was also designed to act as a calendar."

"Proof of Trim's medieval importance, this remarkably preserved edifice was Ireland's largest Anglo-Norman fortification. Hugh de Lacy founded Trim Castle in 1173, but it was destroyed by Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, Ireland's last high king, within a year. The building you see today was begun around 1200 and has hardly been modified since.Entertaining guided tours involve climbing narrow, steep stairs, so aren't suitable for very young children or anyone with restricted mobility. Self-guided tours are also available."

"In its Anglo-Norman prime, this abbey, 1.5km off the main Drogheda–Collon road (R168), was the Cistercians' first and most magnificent centre in Ireland. Highly evocative and well worth exploring, the ruins still reflect the site's former splendour.Mellifont's most recognisable building and one of the country's finest examples of Cistercian architecture is the 13th-century lavabo, the monks' octagonal washing room."

"Northwest of Newgrange, the burial mound of Knowth was built around the same time. It has the greatest collection of passage-grave art ever uncovered in Western Europe. Early excavations cleared a passage leading to the central chamber, which at 34m, is much longer than the one at Newgrange. In 1968, a 40m passage was unearthed on the opposite side of the mound.Excavations continue, and were due to close the site from November 2017 to Easter 2018."

"Northwest of Newgrange, the burial mound of Knowth was built around the same time. It has the greatest collection of passage-grave art ever uncovered in Western Europe. Early excavations cleared a passage leading to the central chamber, which at 34m, is much longer than the one at Newgrange. In 1968, a 40m passage was unearthed on the opposite side of the mound.Excavations continue, and were due to close the site from November 2017 to Easter 2018."

"Overlooking Drogheda, Millmount is an artificial hill that may have been a prehistoric burial ground like Newgrange, but has never been excavated.The Normans constructed a motte-and-bailey fort on top of this convenient command post overlooking the bridge. It was followed by a castle, which in turn was replaced by a Martello tower in 1808.A section of the army barracks is now used as the Millmount Museum. Exhibits include three wonderful late-18th-century guild banners."

"Proof of Trim's medieval importance, this remarkably preserved edifice was Ireland's largest Anglo-Norman fortification. Hugh de Lacy founded Trim Castle in 1173, but it was destroyed by Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, Ireland's last high king, within a year. The building you see today was begun around 1200 and has hardly been modified since.Entertaining guided tours involve climbing narrow, steep stairs, so aren't suitable for very young children or anyone with restricted mobility. Self-guided tours are also available."

"A startling 80m in diameter and 13m high, Newgrange's white round stone walls, topped by a grass dome, look eerily futuristic. Underneath lies the finest Stone Age passage tomb in Ireland – one of the most remarkable prehistoric sites in Europe. Dating from around 3200 BC, it predates Egypt's pyramids by some six centuries.The tomb's precise alignment with the sun at the time of the winter solstice suggests it was also designed to act as a calendar."