Welcome to the website of the
Navan & District Historical Society (N&DHS)
Founded in 2007 our main aim is to foster an interest in the local history of our area.
(you can see a more formal declaration of our aims in our Constitution under the
“About Us” tab.
)
We hold meetings and excursions throughout the year, keeping them as informative and informal as we can, and urging our members to participate and enjoy themselves.
If you wish to learn more about us, why don’t you apply to join us and enjoy meeting with
others who share your interest.
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Navan – Its People and Its Past, Vol. 7 is now available to buy in Tierney’s Newsagents, The Solstice, Fagans Nearby (Blackcastle Shopping Centre), and Centra on the Ratholdren Road.
Get your Christmas Reading in early – make great Christmas Presents too!
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Navan & District Historical Society are incredibly proud of the outcome of all our hard work in getting this exciting and important project to the next stage of development.
In 2022 a conservation and management plan was commissioned by Meath County Council and Navan & District Historical Society. This plan was funded by the Community Monuments Fund (CMF). The purpose of the plan was to assess the history, cultural significance, and current condition of the walled town of Navan – in terms of its
known standing remains, buried archaeology, layout and associated buildings. It assesses the threats to its significance; outlines a conservation strategy and makes recommendations for enhancement, improved management and interpretation.
The conservation plan was submitted as part of an application for funding from the Community Monuments Fund (CMF); €81,000 was secured for the conservation works to repair the bastion (ME025-044007) and adjacent town wall section to the rear of the council depot along Abbey Road, Navan, Co Meath. Conservator Greg Smith carried out this work and we have to say the results are very impressive.
As a follow on from all this work the Irish Walled Town Network (IWTN) Management Committee met last Friday and approved Navan’s application to join the network, giving the town access to grants and expertise and the opportunity of promoting the town nationally.
Navan becomes the third Meath town in the network along with Trim and Kells.
If you would like to see the walls and hear about their history, restoration and conservation please join us on the first Saturday of Heritage Week (tbc) where we hope to have an event at the walls on Abbey Rd, more details to follow.
To view the Conservation Plan click link below:
Society Members visited the Town Wall site in October 2022.
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PLEASE NOTE: IMPORTANT
We have an updated PayPal email address
Please make payments to navanhistory@gmail.com
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Programme of Events
All meetings are held in Columbanus Hall, Canon Row, Navan at 8pm unless otherwise stated.
Thurs 26 Jan 2023 – AGM & A show and tell discussion on some objects from the collection
of Richard Farrelly.
Thurs 23 Feb 2023 – Enjoying Claret in Georgian Ireland – A history of amiable excess –
Patricia McCarthy
Thurs 23 Mar 2023 – Opening up the Archive – Patricia Fallon (Meath County Archivist)
Thurs 27 April 2023 – Dr. Michael Dillon of Lismullen and his role in transgender history –
Aidan Collins
Thurs 18 May 2023 – The Story of Spicers Bakery – Lisa Carroll
June or July – Members Annual Outing – to be confirmed.
August – Heritage Week Events:
Event 1. Conservation Works of Navan Town Walls – Open Day for Public
Date: Saturday 12th August 2023. Time: 11am
Venue: Meath County Council Depot, Abbey Road, Navan.
Event 2. Navan – Its People & Its Past
Date: Saturday 19th August 2023 Time: 2pm
Venue: Solstice Arts Centre. A free event but Booking is required –
Book here: https://solsticeartscentre.ie/event/heritage-week-navan-its-people-and-its-past
To celebrate Heritage Week, join the Navan & District Historical Society as they present an afternoon of informal talks that celebrate the local history of our area. Talks will include:
1. Wild About Navan Heritage by Eimear Clowry Delaney
2. How Navan Became the Centre of Furniture and Carpet Making in Ireland by Ken Davis
3. St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Navan, Cathedral or Theatre? by Fr Declan Hurley
4. Medieval Navan by Clare Ryan
Following the talks, we invite you to participate in the conversation over a relaxed tea/coffee. The event is funded by Meath County Council, Community Grants Scheme.
Sun 17 Sept 2023 – Walk through Athlumney Manorial Village – Vincent Mulvany
Thurs 19 Oct 2023 – Ireland’s Round Towers – a new perspective – Oliver McBride
11 Nov 2023 – Launch of our new Journal, Navan – Its People and Its Past, Volume 7
Venue: The Solstice Arts Centre. The Launch will be at 4pm. Books on sale from 2pm-5pm.
