Did you know that St Patrick was a Meath man? Well not quite but certainly an honorary Meath man for at the beginning of the 5th Century AD, St Patrick picked from the green grassy slopes of our Hill of Tara a shamrock. He certainly would have marvelled today at our county and the sheer range of things to do and places to stay …and at prices not seen since the heady days of the 5th Century AD! We boast the ancient World Heritage site at Newgrange yet we are  home to some of Europe's youngest and most enchanting accommodation. We are silently tucked away yet so accessible to bustling Dublin City. We’ll set your heart racing at our four racecourses yet put you at rest in one of sumptuous spas. Grab the chance to celebrate this year in the very places where St. Patrick walked and picked that shamrock, in our invigorating County of Meath. In this issue... Find Special Offers in County Meath Cook up a storm this St Patricks Day Check out all St. Patrick festivities throughout County Meath Meath is buzzing! See what is going on during 2009!

St Patrick’s Special Offers in County Meath

Sleep 

Duffys of Ballybin, Ashbourne,
Renovated barn in quiet courtyard setting.
3 nights self catering accommodation €300 based on 4 people sharing, 4th night free or 3 nights s/c accom. 225€ based on 2 people sharing, 4th night free.
Click here to make a reservation enquiry to Duffys Self Catering of Ballybin
Click here to read more about Duffys of Ballybin
www.duffysofballybin.com

Knightsbrook Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, Trim
Enjoy a traditional Irish buffet dinner with a Complimentary Glass of Wine or Pint of Guinness.
Enjoy Ceol Agus Craic in our Swifts Bar Luxury Over night Accommodation inclusive of Full Irish Breakfast. Valid until 18th of March 2009, €84.50 per person sharing.
Click here to make a reservation enquiry to Knightsbrook Hotel
Click here to read more about Knightsbrook Hotel
www.knightsbrook.com

Family Farm Break at Kiltale Farm Holiday Homes.
Free farm activities and bottle feed our newly born pet lambs
3 nights selcatering accommodation based
on 4 people sharing - €300.00 4th night free
or
3 nights selfcatering accommodation based
on 2 people sharing €225.00 4th night free.
Click here to make a reservation enquiry to Kiltale Farm Holidays
Click here to read more about Kiltale Farm Holidays
www.meathselfcatering.com

Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa
Celebrate in Style at the Castle.
Room Only Rate: Stay in one of our Delux King RoomsValid Sun to Wed €80
His n Hers Mid Week Getaway for €150 pp
Click here to make a reservation enquiry to Dunboyne Castle Hotel
Click here to read more about Dunboyne Castle Hotel
www.dunboynecastlehotel.com

Headfort Arms Hotel
Mike Denver in Concert
Enjoy Pre Show Dinner at the Award Winning Vanilla Pod Restaurant, Dance to the Country and Western Legend and relax in Overnight Accommodation with Full Irish Breakfast €99 per person sharing
Click here to make a reservation enquiry to the Headfort Arms Hotel
Click here to read more about the Headfort Arms Hotel
www.headfortarms.ie

Trim Castle Hotel
A Historic stay overlooking Trim Castle
2 nights B&B and 1 dinner for two for €199 per couple…Choose from the Sunday 15th and Monday 16th March or Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th March.
Click here to make a reservation enquiry to the Trim Castle Hotel
Click here to read more about the Trim Castle Hotel
www.trimcastlehotel.com

Station House Hotel, Kilmessan
Paddy’s Parade at this converted Station House! €75per person sharing DBB and a complimentary Pint/Glass of Guinness.
Click here to make a reservation enquiry to the Station House Hotel
Click here to read more about the Station House Hotel
www.thestationhousehotel.com

City North Hotel
A landmark location for a landmark occasion! 1 night B&B plus coach transfer to Dublin Parade only €99 per twin. 2 night packages from €119 pps.
Click here to make a reservation enquiry to the City North Hotel
Click here to read more about the City North Hotel
www.citynorthhotel.com

Moyvalley Hotel & Golf Resort
March Madness @ Movalley Estate
2 Nights Bed & Breakfast with dinner on one evening of your choice for €145.00 per person
Click here to make a reservation enquiry to Moyvalley Hotel
Click here to read more about the Moyvalley Hotel
www.moyvalley.com

The Castle Arch Hotel Trim
In the heart of the heritage town of Trim
16th & 17th March - 2009 2 Nights B&B & 1 Evening Meal & Glass of Wine or Pint of Guinness
Only €100pps
Click here to make a reservation enquiry to the Castle Arch Hotel
Click here to read more about the Castle Arch Hotel
www.cusackhotels.com

Newgrange Hotel Navan
Old worlde in the heart of Navan
Tuesday 17th March 2009 - 1 Night B&B with Evening Meal - Only €70pps
Click here to make a reservation enquiry to the Newgrange Hotel
Click here to read more about the Newgrange Hotel
www.cusackhotels.com

Ardboyne Hotel Navan
A special atmosphere
Tuesday 17th March 2009 - 1 Night B&B with Evening Meal - Only €70pps
Click here to make a reservation enquiry to the Ardboyne Hotel
Click here to read more about the Ardboyne Hotel
www.ardboynehotel.com

The Cottages, Bettystown
Chilling out by the sea…3 nights x 2 sharing €330/£280 all inclusive.
Click here to make a reservation enquiry to The Cottages, Laytown
Click here to read more about The Cottages, Laytown
www.cottages-ireland.com

Rathgillan Farm Holidays, Nobber
Need to unwind and de-stress? Rathgillan Lodge is a great place to get away from it all.
Prices are €250 per week for the lodge, €300 for the cottage and €500 for the house with a generous 10% discount on all breaks in March ’09.
Click here to make a reservation enquiry to Rathgillan Farm Holidays
Click here to read more about Rathgillan Farm Holidays
www.rathgillanfarm.ie

Brogans Guesthouse
Welcoming guests & forging relationships since 1915
Two Nights BB and one Evening €139.00 pps
Click here to make a reservation enquiry to Brogans
Click here to read more about Brogans
www.brogans.ie

Bettystown Court Hotel
4* seaside splendour
EU149.00 per adult sharing for 2 nights bed breakfast & 1 evening meal Children under 12 share free for bed & breakfast
Click here to make a reservation enquiry to the Bettystown Court Hotel
Click here to read more about the the Bettystown Court Hotelwww.bettystowncourthotel.com

Newgrange Lodge
A special Newgrange stay
2 Nights B&Bfor €75pps including a E20 voucher for a local restaurant.
Click here to make a reservation enquiry to Newgrange Lodge
Click here to read more about Newgrange Lodge
www.newgrangelodge.com

Smarmore Castle
Follow in the footsteps of Saint Patrick and enjoy accommodation in a castle hideaway dating from 1320 Two night B&B special.weekend €105 pps, midweek €99 Euros pps
Click here to make a reservation enquiry to Smarmore Castle
Click here to read more about Smarmore Castle
www.smarmorecastle.com

Balrath House
A Coach House Experience
5 Nights for the price of 3 Coach House for only €400 (sleeping up to six people)
Or sleep at the Stables sleeping 5 Nights for the price of 3 €300 (sleeping up to 5 people)
Click here to make a reservation enquiry to Balrath House
Click here to read more about Balrath House
www.balrathcourtyard.com

Tankardstown House
Unbridled luxury at Tankardstown House
Just  €250.00 per person sharing, 2 nights Bed and Breakfast and 1 Dinner on the night of your choice.
Click here to make a reservation enquiry to Tankardstown House
Click here to read more about Tankardstown House
www.tankardstown.ie

Racing

Fairyhouse Racecourse
Home of the Irish Grand National
20% discount on all adult admission tickets purchased online www.fairyhouseracecourse.ie

Navan Racecourse, Proudstown
‘Let Yourself Go!’ on 15th March and avail of  a Special Admission Price of €10.00 per person.  (Normal Admission €15.00)
www.navanracecourse.ie

Golf

Navan Golf Club
18 Holes of Golf+ 4 Course Dinner Only €40.00(Monday To Wednesday )
Min group  of 12 People
Call 353 46 9098157 for further details
www.navangolfclub.ie

Headfort Golf Club
Headfort Golf Club Paddy’s Day Special: Headfort Old €30pp and Headfort New €40pp.
www.headfortgolfclub.ie/

County Meath Golf Club
'Winter Special' – 18 Holes & Steak Meal  €35
'Earl Bird Special' – Monday to Friday 8am to 9 am 18 Holes €20
Pre booking is advised on 046/9431463 or via the Website www.countymeathgolfclubtrim.ie

Ashbourne Golf Club
Special green fee rates available for March
€20 per person before 10am€25 per person after 10am
www.ashbournegolfclub.ie

Rathcore Golf & Country Club
ST. PATRICK WEEKEND SPECIAL MONDAY 16TH  & TUESDAY 17TH MARCH OPEN 4 PERSON TEAM EVENT €20PP
 www.rathcoregolfandcountryclub.com

A special St Patricks Dish

Thanks to our very own Billie O’Shea of Fairyhouse Food & Wine School who gives us her special (and up to now secret)  recipe for Meath’s Beef and Guinnesss casserole – yum yum!

Beef & Guinness Casserole     (Serves 4)

2 tablespoons plain flour, seasoned with salt and pepper
1 kg beef cubes (stewing steak) cut into 5cm pieces
4 tablespoons of vegetable oil
4 smoked streaky bacon, cut into 1cm pieces
2 onions, peeled and thinly sliced
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into small pieces
2 sticks celery, washed and cut into small pieces
2 large cloves garlic, crushed
1 sprig thyme
1 bay leaf
500ml Guinness
500ml beef stock

1 teaspoon caraway seeds
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
Salt & Pepper to taste

• Preheat oven to 160° / Gas 3
• Place the flour and meat in a large bowl or plastic bag and shake to coat the meat.
• Lift out the meat, dust off any excess flour and reserve.
• Heat a large frying pan, add 2 tablespoons of oil and fry the meat ( in small batches) on high heat until browned. Remove the meat with a slotted spoon and place into a large casserole. 
• Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan and fry the bacon until crispy.  Add to the casserole.
• Reduce the heat to medium, add the last tablespoon of oil, then the garlic, onions, carrots, celery, thyme and bay leaf.  Cook for 5 minutes until the onion has softened. Add to the casserole with the caraway seeds and sugar.
• Pour in the Guinness and beef stock, stir through and bring to the boil. 
• Cover the casserole with a lid and place in the oven. 
• Cook for 3 hours until the meat is very tender. Remove and serve with mashed potatoes.

Special Offer from the Fairyhouse Food & Wine School

Fairyhouse Food & Wine School
'Easy Entertaining - Friends to Dinner'March 21st 10am to 3pm
Normal price €120 per person Book 2 places at €95 per person.
www.fairyhousecookeryschool.com

And for something different

Irish Harps
www.irishharps.net
15 % discount for all schools!
Click here to read more about Jan Muyllaert's work
www.irishharps.net

The Snailbox, Ashbourne
Seisiún Ríoga Irish Traditional Nights
www.snailbox.ie

Venue Theatre
Upcoming Events at the Venue Theatre, Ratoath
www.venuetheatre.ie

Solstice Arts
Solstice Arts Events, Navan
www.solsticeartscentre.ie

Check out all St Patrick’s festivities

Shindig at the Centre March 15th 2009 Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre, Donore, Co. Meath Tel: 041 -9880 300 On Sunday, March 15th 2009, Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre will again be the venue for the Annual Céili and Set Dancing Session known as the ‘Shindig in the Centre’. This popular family day out gets the St Patrick’s Day celebrations in the Boyne Valley off to an energetic and fun start
Navan Shamrock Festival 11th - 17th March 2009 Calendar of events from Navan Shamrock festival 11-17th March We love fun and it is our pleasure to make it possible for everybody to have fun too . This year we have a seven day community festival starting Wednesday March 11th until Tuesday March 17th and its just for you. We would like if you could come and join us. More details of our festival can be obtained on www.navanshamrockfestival.com
Meath St. Patrick's Day Festivals March Each year, Meath is alive with St Patrick's Day celebrations at Trim, Navan, Kells, Slane and Athboy. See our festival news page for details.

Learn about the Legend of St Patrick

The story of St. Patrick is contained in the Book of Armagh. It tells about a great festival at Tara, which was the seat of the Laoghaire, the High King of Ireland. At a certain hour it was planned to light a huge fire that would be seen for miles around and everyone was warned not to brighten the night air with any flame.
However, St. Patrick was celebrating the Christian Easter Vigil on the near by Hill of Slane which involved lighting the Paschal fire. When its light shone around the countryside, the high king was furious and demanded that St. Patrick be put to death. The king’s councillors advised against this although they predicted “it is the flame of Christianity that will never be extinguished’
After many failed attempts to kill St. Patrick by the High King he agreed to become a Christian and so Patrick moved to County Armagh.

Meath is awash with buzzing events during 2009. Click here for a full listing!

Thank you

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Meath Tourism
http://www.meathtourism.ie/

Disclaimer: Every care has been taken to ensure accuracy in the compilation of this newsletter. Meath Tourism cannot, however, accept responsibility for errors but where such errors are brought to our attention, future publications will be amended accordingly.

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