Bellinter House
County Meath, Ireland[view map]
Local restaurants
Informal Hudson’s Bistro on Railway Street has an eclectic Irish menu with Thai, Cajun and Italian flourishes (+353 (0)46 902 9231). The Loft on Trimgate Street is a popular dinner spot, beloved for its crab claws and Boyne salmon (+353 (0)46 907 1755); it also has a sleek, buzzy tapas bar.
Local bars
A mere moment from Bellinter, atop the historic Hill of Skryne, O’Connell’s (affectionately known to locals as Mrs O’s) is an authentic Irish country pub with buckets of charm (+353 (0)46 902 5122).
Local cafes
In Navan, get a caffeine fix or wholesome lunch at Chekhov’s Coffee House on Bakery Lane – the home-made desserts are lovely (+353 (0)46 907 4422).
Worth getting out of bed for
As well as ghillie-guided fishing on its private three-mile stretch of the Boyne river, Bellinter House can organise all manner of outdoor activities, from clay-pigeon shooting and horse riding to golf and hot-air ballooning. The Megalithic Passage Tomb at Newgrange is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; drop in at the Brú na Bóinne visitors centre near the village of Donore for information about Newgrange and its tomb complex. There are several interesting historical sites along the Boyne Valley, including Mellifont Abbey, the Hill of Slane, the Hill of Tara and Trim Castle – the largest extant Norman castle in Europe. Visit www.theboynevalley.com for an overview, or read our County Meath destination guide.
Diary
May The Drogheda Arts Festival brings five days of street theatre, song and dance (www.drogheda.ie/artsfest). The Tattersalls International Horse Trials sees Ireland’s finest bloodstock on show (www.tattersalls.ie). July Le Chéile Festival in Oldcastle is a small yet hugely rich celebration of arts and music (www.lecheile.com). The Midlands Music Festival is a showcase for rock, pop and folk (www.midlandsmusicfestival.ie). September The autumn equinox is marked by druidic ceremonies at ancient sites, particularly the Hill of Tara; similar events take place on the summer solstice in June.