Meath

Meath, officially County Meath, is a county in the east of Ireland, in the province of Leinster. Named after the historic Kingdom of Meath, it combines rural farmland with growing towns. The county town is Navan; other sizable settlements include Trim, Ashbourne, Athboy, and Dunshaughlin. The county lies within the broader Dublin metropolitan area's economic and transport network.

Geography and heritage: Meath is bordered by counties Louth, Dublin, Kildare, Westmeath and Cavan. The River Boyne runs through the county, and the Boyne Valley is rich in archaeological sites. Brú na Bóinne, a complex of passage tombs including Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

History and culture: The county contains landmarks connected with ancient and medieval Ireland, including the Hill of Tara, once the ceremonial seat of the High Kings. Trim Castle, a large Norman fortress, reflects medieval settlement patterns. The Battle of the Boyne in 1690 occurred near Oldbridge. The area around Slane is known for Slane Castle and related cultural events.

Economy and demographics: Meath has a mixed economy with agriculture, manufacturing and growing services, and increasingly serves as a commuter region for Dublin. The population is over 200,000, and growth has been steady in recent decades.