Battle of the Boyne Site & Hill of Slane
The Battle of the Boyne Site
The epic Battle of the Boyne took place on 1st July 1690 on the banks of the River Boyne. King William III commanded a troop 36,000 (the Williamites) and fought against his father-in-law King James II with an army of 25,000 (the Jacobites). There was a lot at stake – the British Throne, French dominance in Europe and Power in Ireland.
The visitors centre is situated in the 18th century Oldbridge House, which is located on the battle site itself. There is free access to the Battle Site and the gardens and parklands surrounding Oldbridge House.
Hill of Slane
St. Patrick has become intertwined with all things Irish; from shamrocks to the birth of Christianity in Ireland, but there was a time when he was viewed as a foreign Christian missionary sent to convert Ireland’s Celtic pagans. To set about his mission, St. Patrick lit his Pascal Fire on the Hill of Slane, in direct defiance to the pagan beliefs of the High King.
As the Druids celebrated their feast day on the Hill of Tara, Patrick prepared the Easter feast on the Hill of Slane. He lit his paschal fire at Slane, before the Druids could ignite their sacred fire at Tara. Seeing the flames at Slane, the Druids warned Laegaire, the High King, that if Patrick’s fire was not put out immediately, Christianity would take over in Ireland.
