WITH A POPULATION of almost 30,000, Navan clocks in as the country’s 10th largest town.
Situated in the heart of the Boyne Valley and at the apex of the Boyne and Blackwater rivers, Navan is still only a roughly 40-minute drive to Dublin airport.
With more and more families and potential homebuyers looking to avail of the value that’s offered outside Dublin city limits, Navan may well be on your list to explore.
A brand new development that’s come to the town is Glenveagh Homes’ Baker Hall, with three and four-bedroom homes now selling off-plans.
Navan’s palindromic name means cave in Irish, and it serves as the administrative centre of County Meath.
The Solstice Arts centre offers a 300+ seat theatre for arts and film situated in an architecturally-stunning building, as well as gallery and studio space. Long-time local Elaine O’Leary touts the local arts centre, “It has a lovely cafe and interesting shows and exhibitions.”
At the heart of the town, you’ll find Navan Library, which often holds meetings and special events. And of course, you’ll be a stone’s throw from Slane’s annual festival and the Irish Grand National Racing at Fairyhouse. Not to forget Navan Racecourse, which is situated on Proudstown Hill and overlooks the town.
Current and former locals alike opine about the great food and drink options available in Navan, but its location within the Boyne Valley means it also has great proximity to delightful walks and that will help you maximise fresh air and beautiful views throughout the year.
If you’re on the hunt for a new home in Navan, we’ve rounded up the best places to eat, shop, and stroll in the area by asking locals to share their experiences. Read on for a quintessential locals’ guide to Navan.
Where to eat and drink
Yeah Burgr hits the mark for Karen Daly and her 10-year-old niece, “It’s a cool burger joint that would be similar menu to Wow Burger or Bunsen in Dublin.” With branches in Maynooth, Wexford, and Drogheda, you can get your Yeah Burgr fix in a few spots around the country as well.
Local Bridget Daly set a challenge to try out all the Indian food Navan has to offer and discovered that Gaylord Spices meets the mark, “We’re trying out all the Indian restaurants in Navan as a challenge to ourselves and Gaylords tops the list to date.”
Roof terraces aren’t exactly common with our weather being so changeable, but The Central delivers on one of the hottest commodities on a summer’s day. “The roof terrace is amazing on a sunny day,” says Karen, “The Central has a great atmosphere and good food choices and it’s also meant to be a great live music spot.”
Finally, you’ll want to make sure you pop into Larry and Nora’s for a recently done-up old-man-style pub. “It’s awesome, and family and dog-friendly,” Karen explains, “Everything on the menu is delish, we haven’t had a bad meal there.” Try their robust cocktail menu and soak in the relaxed vibe from the garden-style outdoor eating area.
Where to stop for a coffee
Every Irish town worth its salt has good coffee shops, and Navan is no exception.
Elaine is partial to Earl’s Kitchen, “It’s well worth a visit,” she says. Situated in the old Cornmarket just a hop and a skip from Navan’s Market Square. She also recommends Hansel & Gretel Bakery, “They do lovely takeaway coffee and excellent cakes and pastries.”
For a slightly off-track option, locals turn to Ode, which offers coffee in addition to decor shopping. “A little hidden gem for a decent coffee in a quirky place is Ode, opposite the Bull of Navan statue. It’s a nice place to hang and chat,” says Bridget.
Where to stroll
With the town being located in the heart of the Boyne Valley, you know the scenic strolling will be incredible. Elaine recommends Girley Bog, a half hour drive from Navan, “Girley Bog is a reclaimed bog run by Coillte and the amount of wildlife there is incredible. I’ve never seen so many different butterflies in one place. I’ve also seen the only lizard I’ve ever encountered in Ireland there and there are wild raspberries and cranberries growing. It’s fantastic.”
She also recommends a local walk referred to as the Ramparts walk, “It’s 6.5km to Stackallen Bridge and halfway to Slane, just a beautiful walk along the River Boyne.”
Where to shop for baby bits
If you’ve got a baby on the way or are shopping for a new arrival, Bygge Bo is full of independent baby brands. “Bygge Bo is a gorgeous baby boutique with all the fab brands that were only really ever available online such as Tripp Trapp, Stokke and Little Dutch,” explains Karen.
Where to head for ice cream
Of course, if you’re hoping to become a Navan local, you’ll want to know the best local ice cream spot. “Tara Service Station out the Dublin road at Garlow is reputed to have the largest 99’s in the country,” says Bridget. Now that’s a claim worth exploring.
Considering making Navan your new home? Homes at Baker Hall are coming soon – register your interest here.
At Glenveagh Homes, our vision is that everyone should have the opportunity to access great-value, high-quality homes in flourishing communities across Ireland. We understand that buying a home is possibly the biggest decision you will ever make in your life – but we want to make it your easiest. Click here to find out more about Glenveagh developments.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say