Longwood: Paths, Fair Green and History
Accommodation in Longwood
Longwood can be explored through several specific points of reference: a playground on the Fair Green, the history of the fair and connections to named routes. Nearby, there is also a harbour, bridges and an aqueduct. In addition, County Meath provides its own regional context, with prehistoric monuments and historic sites.
Fair Green, the Fair and the Royal Canal Greenway
Longwood Playground is on Longwood Fair Green and covers approximately 400 square metres. An opening announcement from Meath County Council dated 18 June 2026 gives its area as around 400 square metres. The name Fair Green also refers to Longwood’s fair: James I authorised it in 1611. This date places the history of the fair in the early modern period.
A newly constructed path connects Longwood directly to the towpath of the Royal Canal Greenway. This makes the route a distinct point of reference when choosing a location. Longwood Harbour, also known as Boyne Dock, is approximately two kilometres outside Longwood and is also an access point to the Royal Canal Greenway. A bronze shoe sculpture at the harbour marks the National Famine Way. The harbour is therefore both a named access point to the Greenway and the location of this route marker.
Bridges and waterworks nearby
Outside Longwood, Inchamore Bridge is an access point to the Boyne Blueway. The two routes can be distinguished for orientation by their respective named reference points: the Royal Canal Greenway is associated with the towpath near Longwood and access at the harbour; the Boyne Blueway with Inchamore Bridge. The Boyne Aqueduct is about 200 metres west of Longwood Harbour. It was built approximately 200 years ago to carry the canal over the River Boyne.
Ribbontail Bridge is east of Longwood Harbour. According to local tradition, it was built for churchgoers who walked to Longwood. Together with the aqueduct, the bridge shows how the nearby area can be described through its structures and their position relative to the harbour. The places mentioned are outside the village; their directions and distances refer in each case to the specific point of reference stated.
Prehistoric and historic sites in County Meath
County Meath is home to several significant archaeological sites. The BrĂş na BĂłinne World Heritage Site is situated in a bend of the River Boyne. It includes the passage tombs of Knowth, Newgrange and Dowth, built around 3200 BC. Loughcrew Megalithic Cemetery is a group of Neolithic passage tombs dating to around 3000 BC and spread across four gently rolling hills. The two complexes offer different insights into the prehistoric landscape: BrĂş na BĂłinne brings together three named monuments, while Loughcrew is also defined by its spread across four hills.
Other historic points of interest in County Meath include the Hill of Tara and Trim. The Hill of Tara was the seat of the High King of Ireland and an important centre of political and religious power. Trim Castle, on the south bank of the River Boyne, is Ireland’s largest Anglo-Norman castle. For safety reasons, access to its keep is only available as part of a guided tour; check the current arrangements before your visit. These sites broaden the regional themes to include political history and medieval castle architecture, while the routes and structures around Longwood retain their own clearly identified local points of reference.
Discover more destinations: Kells, Balrath, Kilbride, Kilcloon, Navan, Laytown, Ashbourne, Trim
For the wider travel overview: County Meath.
