Page 243 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

IRELAND REGION B Y REGION  241
THE MIDLANDS

Cavan • Monaghan • Louth • Longford • Westmeath
Meath • Offaly • Laois
The cradle of Irish civilization and the Celts’ spiritual home,
the Midlands encompass some of Ireland’s most sacred
and symbolic sites. Much of the region is ignored, but
the ragged landscapes of lush pastures, lakes and bogland
reveal ancient Celtic crosses, gracious Norman abbeys
and Gothic Revival castles.

The fertile Boyne Valley in County Meath was The Boyne Valley returned to prominence in
settled during the Stone Age and became 1690, when the Battle of the Boyne ended
the most impor tant centre of habitation in in a landmark Protestant victory over the
the country. The remains of ancient sites Catholics (see pp42–3).
from this early civilization fill the area and Although part of the Republic since 1921,
include Newgrange, the finest Neolithic Monaghan and Cavan belong to the ancient
tomb in the coun try. In Celtic times, the province of Ulster, and the former retains
focus shifted south to the Hill of Tara, the strong links with Northern Ireland. The
seat of the High Kings of Ireland and the rounded hills called drumlins, found in both
Celts’ spiritual and political capital. Tara’s counties, are typical of the border region
heyday came in the 3rd century AD, but it between the Republic and Northern Ireland.
retained its importance until the Normans Grassland and bog dotted with lakes are
invaded in the 1100s. most characteristic of the Midlands, but the
Norman castles, such as the immense Slieve Bloom Mountains and the Cooley
fortress at Trim in County Meath, attest Peninsula provide good walking country.
to the shifting frontiers around the region In addition to Meath’s ancient sites, the
of English influence known as the Pale historical highlights of the region are
(see p136). By the end of the 16th century, monasteries like Fore Abbey and
this area incorporated nearly all the Clonmacnoise, this last ranking among
counties in the Midlands. Europe’s greatest early Christian centres.

Carlingford village and harbour, with the hills of the Cooley Peninsula rising behind
Lakes and wetlands of Lough Oughter, County Cavan

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