This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Slane.
About forty-five minutes north of the capital Dublin on the country's east side lies the idyllic town of Slane, County Meath, Ireland, located on the River Bone. The village centre dates back to the eighteenth century, with excellent examples of Georgian houses made of grey limestone.
The town boasts the historic site the Hill of Slane, which is connected to the most famous Irish patron, St. Patrick, and the stories that are told about him. The ruins of a friary church, which was abandoned in the mid-eighteenth century, and a college are on the top of the Hill of Slane. This hill is traditionally considered to be the spot where the national patron St. Patrick lit the first Pascal Fire in defiance of the pagan King Laoghaire, the King of Tara. The Hill of Tara is another important site in the region, which contains several ancient monuments and it is the traditional inauguration site of the High Kings of Ireland.
Besides that, other important historic sites are situated in and around Slane, such as the world-famous prehistoric Newgrange passage grave, which lies around five kilometers away from Slane in the UNESCO Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site. The tomb was built in the thirty-second century BC and it is famous for its structural stones with carved art. Travelers should also check out the picturesque Slane Castle, which was built in the late eighteenth century; its grounds have been used since the eighties for rock concerts with famous bands like U2, Oasis, and Foo Fighters.
For sport enthusiasts, the town offers numerous activities like fishing on the River Bone, kayaking, golfing, and horse riding.
Do not expect particularly warm summers in County Meath. Travelers will find the typical Irish weather with quite a lot of rain and maximum temperatures ranging from thirteen to nineteen degrees Celsius between May and October.
Your choices for hostels in Slane, County Meath, Ireland will be extremely limited; most other inexpensive places to stay are private guesthouses or apartments. Your Slane, County Meath, Ireland hostel is located approximately two kilometres away from the town centre in a very rural and quiet area; usually a pick-up service is available for guests. During the summer and especially at weekends, your chosen Slane, County Meath, Ireland hostel might be booked out, so check in advance if you can find a spare bed. In the worst case, you will have to check out the nearby town Drogheda, that offers several additional budget accommodations.
Written by local enthusiast for Slane hostels
Flo