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WITH A POPULATION of almost 30,000, Navan clocks in as the country’s 10th largest town.
Situated in the heart of the Boyne Valley and at the apex of the Boyne and Blackwater rivers, Navan is still only a roughly 40-minute drive to Dublin airport.
With more and more families and potential homebuyers looking to avail of the value that’s offered outside Dublin city limits, Navan may well be on your list to explore.
A brand new development that’s come to the town is Glenveagh Homes’ Baker Hall, with three and four-bedroom homes now selling off-plans.
Navan’s palindromic name means cave in Irish, and it serves as the administrative centre of County Meath.
The Solstice Arts centre offers a 300+ seat theatre for arts and film situated in an architecturally-stunning building, as well as gallery and studio space. Long-time local Elaine O’Leary touts the local arts centre, “It has a lovely cafe and interesting shows and exhibitions.”
At the heart of the town, you’ll find Navan Library, which often holds meetings and special events. And of course, you’ll be a stone’s throw from Slane’s annual festival and the Irish Grand National Racing at Fairyhouse. Not to forget Navan Racecourse, which is situated on Proudstown Hill and overlooks the town.
Current and former locals alike opine about the great food and drink options available in Navan, but its location within the Boyne Valley means it also has great proximity to delightful walks and that will help you maximise fresh air and beautiful views throughout the year.
If you’re on the hunt for a new home in Navan, we’ve rounded up the best places to eat, shop, and stroll in the area by asking locals to share their experiences. Read on for a quintessential locals’ guide to Navan.
Where to eat and drink
Yeah Burgr hits the mark for Karen Daly and her 10-year-old niece, “It’s a cool burger joint that would be similar menu to Wow Burger or Bunsen in Dublin.” With branches in Maynooth, Wexford, and Drogheda, you can get your Yeah Burgr fix in a few spots around the country as well.
Local Bridget Daly set a challenge to try out all the Indian food Navan has to offer and discovered that Gaylord Spices meets the mark, “We’re trying out all the Indian restaurants in Navan as a challenge to ourselves and Gaylords tops the list to date.”
Roof terraces aren’t exactly common with our weather being so changeable, but The Central delivers on one of the hottest commodities on a summer’s day. “The roof terrace is amazing on a sunny day,” says Karen, “The Central has a great atmosphere and good food choices and it’s also meant to be a great live music spot.”
Finally, you’ll want to make sure you pop into Larry and Nora’s for a recently done-up old-man-style pub. “It’s awesome, and family and dog-friendly,” Karen explains, “Everything on the menu is delish, we haven’t had a bad meal there.” Try their robust cocktail menu and soak in the relaxed vibe from the garden-style outdoor eating area.
Where to stop for a coffee
Every Irish town worth its salt has good coffee shops, and Navan is no exception.
Elaine is partial to Earl’s Kitchen, “It’s well worth a visit,” she says. Situated in the old Cornmarket just a hop and a skip from Navan’s Market Square. She also recommends Hansel & Gretel Bakery, “They do lovely takeaway coffee and excellent cakes and pastries.”
For a slightly off-track option, locals turn to Ode, which offers coffee in addition to decor shopping. “A little hidden gem for a decent coffee in a quirky place is Ode, opposite the Bull of Navan statue. It’s a nice place to hang and chat,” says Bridget.
Where to stroll
With the town being located in the heart of the Boyne Valley, you know the scenic strolling will be incredible. Elaine recommends Girley Bog, a half hour drive from Navan, “Girley Bog is a reclaimed bog run by Coillte and the amount of wildlife there is incredible. I’ve never seen so many different butterflies in one place. I’ve also seen the only lizard I’ve ever encountered in Ireland there and there are wild raspberries and cranberries growing. It’s fantastic.”
She also recommends a local walk referred to as the Ramparts walk, “It’s 6.5km to Stackallen Bridge and halfway to Slane, just a beautiful walk along the River Boyne.”
Where to shop for baby bits
If you’ve got a baby on the way or are shopping for a new arrival, Bygge Bo is full of independent baby brands. “Bygge Bo is a gorgeous baby boutique with all the fab brands that were only really ever available online such as Tripp Trapp, Stokke and Little Dutch,” explains Karen.
Where to head for ice cream
Of course, if you’re hoping to become a Navan local, you’ll want to know the best local ice cream spot. “Tara Service Station out the Dublin road at Garlow is reputed to have the largest 99’s in the country,” says Bridget. Now that’s a claim worth exploring.
Considering making Navan your new home? Homes at Baker Hall are coming soon – register your interest here.
At Glenveagh Homes, our vision is that everyone should have the opportunity to access great-value, high-quality homes in flourishing communities across Ireland. We understand that buying a home is possibly the biggest decision you will ever make in your life – but we want to make it your easiest. Click here to find out more about Glenveagh developments.
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Anybody who murders another person should spend their life in solitary for at least the first 5 years, only attending rehabilitation courses with the maximum of 2 other prisoners twice a week for a couple of hours and not mixing with general prison population. Activists will cry that their human rights have been violated but they gave some of them up when they killed somebody.
I’m all for rehabilitation, but I still think that they shouldn’t be released. The punishment should fit the suffering of the victim, as well as providing sufficient safeguards for all of society. A person who has killed & murdered another human (arguments aside for manslaughter another day) should spend the rest of their natural life in prison until they die there. Likewise, someone who is prepared to go out and murder, is too much of a risk for all the rest of us in society; they shouldn’t be let out and if they are and kill again, then the state should be 100% liable (what little good it will do the victim and their family).
You dont get the concept of human rights if you think they gave some of them up. Having said that I’m sure solitary confinement for their safety or the safety of others isn’t necessarily an abuse of human rights. They still get them out when practical.
@Anto Curran: Life should mean life, make it a deterrent for others and 23 hour lock up is too good for them. I’d have them, doing hard labour also or send them off to the Labour camps in China/NKRP and that should give them food for thought before committing serious crime!
@Gareth Murphy: You obviously don’t get the concept either no matter how”sure” you are! People like you may not be concerned with the mental health of convicted people but when those people have finished their sentences and are released into society with more problems than they went in with, I am “sure” you’d be concerned then.
@Stephen murphy: Life in Ireland **DOES** & can mean Life. Yes there are exceptions etc. but there is no guarantee for any lifer that s/he will ever be released.
There have been people sentenced to life who’ve died in prison; I.e. Served their sentence.
There are others still serving out their life sentences; some 20-30+ years inside.
Anyone released on T.R./Parole from a Life Sentence is out on licence & can be recalled at any time; unlike those whose sentence is pre-determined such as Mr. Halls 18 Years for example.
Once his 18 Years is served (with standard remission I expect that to be maybe 15/16 of actual incarceration if my Maths re 1/4 or 1/3rd Remission is correct…?) he can no longer be recalled unlike an actual lifer who is released & has an infinite & no pre-determined tariff.
@Missyb211: You can argue that about any prisoner no matter what they’re in for or what they’ve done surely?
@Daithi O’Laoghaire: Maybe but I never heard that simply being put in prison has any adverse effects to mental health. I’d say it’s when the prisoners are subjected to violence and threats that ‘s when the mental health is affected, that’s when they come out worse. People seem to forget that being locked up in prison is the punishment for their crime. Crimes against the person including solitary confinement and violence from other inmates is not part of the ‘deal’ . It’s only sick people who want that to be the way.
@missy being deprived of liberty has no adverse effect on mental well-being? It’s the fundamental punishment of being sent to prison.
How did he get manslaughter? They went out to kill someone. They may have ended up shooting the wrong person but its still murder!!
@Hupthejaysus: lol. You should replace the word murder with kill, it’s less confusing.
It’s the quality of the Judges in our Judiciary system.
Poor fella (not), if you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime.
Solitary confinement me arse.He will get his own cell with Sky Sports and an Xbox.
Why call it life if he only gets 18 years?
because though you only serve 18yrs you are on licence for the rest of your life, the authorities own you and you can be put back into prison at any time no excuse needed.
@Aidan Duggan: I think you’ll find solitary confinement means isolation from human contact , real humans,not Sky news and xbox. lol
@canuckandgo: Mr. Hall wasn’t sentenced to life; McDonnell was.
That’s why Mr. Halls sentence isn’t called life but Mr. McDonnells is.
Former convicted of manslaughter; latter murder.
To *my* knowledge someone convicted of manslaughter can’t be sentenced to life anyway; but as with other crimes a judge can, as he did in Mr. Halls case, set a tariff.
@Martin Ryan: Incorrect; this is only the case for life; once you’ve served the tariff imposed upon you you cannot be recalled.
So if Mr. Hall, with remission is paroled after 15-16 years, once the remaining 2-3 years have passed by, he cannot be recalled for that crime for he will have served his time both inside & outside of prison.
Unlike a life sentence prisoner who is always serving their sentence whether they are released or not.
The opening paragraph implies that hall is serving a life sentence. So the journal has it wrong then as it implies that hall is serving a life sentence with a time period of 18 years. So it’s not a life sentence?
@canuckandgo: Exactly. The Journals headline is misleading here; life sentence is infinite with no definite release date.
Mr. Hall sentence on other hand is determined even if his actual release date isn’t.
Manslaughter sentences length vary; this is quite severe but others can be totally suspended for a period of time etc.
Daithi, you are correct i didn’t explain myself right . I’m friends with a person whose husband got life and he is often picked up and brought back to prison for a couple of months.
@Martin Ryan: We’re not disagreeing on this point; your friends husband is & always will be a lifer; hence always subject to recall for any amount of time at discretion (in theory) of Min. for Justice and/or Parole Board/I.P.S.
My point was re determined sentences as is the case of Mr. Hall in this article; to reiterate; once his 18 are up he can’t be recalled from any Early Release/T.R./Parole he’s received allowing for 2-3 Years Remission.
During his time of early release (say after 15-16 years served of the 18) he is still subject to recall until the 18 are up.
My turn to apologise if any crossed wires on my part sir.
I’m sure I have a little sympathy here somewhere…..now, where did I leave it?
But, but….an innocent 16 year old girl is still very much dead & the fact that they she wasn’t the intended target is totally irrelevant. No punishment, no matter how harsh or severe, will ever punish these two little skangers for killing Melanie. Let them suffer, as much as possible, for as long as possible too. Melanie can never be made “un-dead” but these two murderers will eventually, one day, once again feel the sun on their faces & do everyday things. Melanie never will, ever again.
@Anne Marie Dowdall: Mr. McDonnell may never be released; that’s conjecture.
Mr. Hall will be.
The former was sentenced to life due to no other option being available to the judge.
Mr. Hall will be released & is unlikely to serve full 18 years (allowing for remission of 1/3rd or 1/4 which would mean he’ll be out after 15-16 years **IF** my Maths is correct).
However for remainder of his sentence he is subject to recall at any time until the full 18 years is up.
Ah no, that’s so sad what’s happening to them two lads. I am sure if it wasn’t fear that traumatised em it would have been remorse – yeh right. Doesn’t happen often enough but at least in this case they will reap what they sowed.
Sniff
Isn’t that just the crux of the problem, where government gives better protection to a killer than to the man on the street who has done no wrong.
@Alan Currie. I Don’t know Alan, the idea of keeping someone alive. So they will have to serve out their full sentence in solidarity confinement has a certain evilness about i. That I like.
Watch your back, lads and always keep your arse to the wall and don’t bend over in the shower if you drop your soap!
These 2 killers only get what they deserve! Hope the wardens will look the other way next time!!
He shot a child in the head with a shotgun. Let him into the general population. Why protect child killers?
The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture says that Ireland has violated the ‘emerging standard’ on solitary confinement. In other words Ireland has not violated any existing law but a prospective law which he would like to see. I would say that the chances of this standard becoming recognised as international law are precisely nil, given the widespread use of long-term solitary confinement by prison regimes throughout the world.
111 previous convictions before the shooting. If the judical system in this country locked up dangerous s(um early doors, Melanie would still be alive. If it’s any consolation, this fine upstanding gentleman has been slashed, stabbed and had boiling water mixed with sugar poured down his throat since being locked up. The pikeys have a bounty on his head.
Let them out into general population they deserve it
Wonder he couldn’t find a judge to leave him out
Nutter! Should be labotomised and locked up for life!
Wonder how many people want such thugs to be back in civilised society?
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