The charm of the small estate village of Slane resides in a sense of peace and quiet, the kind of "peace and quiet" my mother always said she wanted when we asked what she wanted for Christmas.

Despite being located at the intersection of two main roads, the north/south N2 from Dublin and the east/west N51 to Drogheda, each time a large truck passes through a deafening silence descends on the crossroads, until you see a neighbor or a cousin, whom you can easily greet from across the street.

An identical Georgian style stone house stands at each of the four corners of the crossroads, built to specification by the Conynghams, the English successors to the first Norman lords of Slane.

Just below the crossroads is the Gothic Gate to Slane Castle, imposingly situated by theone lane bridge over the River Boyne.

Shops

The village shops include Mary McDonnell's Craft Studio (Tel. 041/24722), just east of the crossroads on the left. This shop specializes in handcrafted quilts, pottery, silk scarves and ties and visual art.

Pubs

My favorite pub in Slane is The Poet's Rest Tel. (041/24579), just north of the crossraods on the right. Fresh draft beers, ales and stouts and serving lunch and dinner daily. You can call ahead to check if they'll have music.

You can have a good game of darts at The Last Chance, a pub across from the Craft Studio on Main Street. Other pubs include The Village Inn on Main Street (N51) (Tel. 041/24230) and Sean McLarney's in Sallygardens, Creewood, Slane (Tel. 041/24693).

Restaurants

The Game Keeper's Lodge in the Conyngham Arms Hotel (Tel. 041/24155) is the best fare in town, serving steaks, game birds and fresh river salmon. Call for reservations.

A fifteen minute drive north of Slane on the N2 brings you to The Gallery Forge Restaurant (Tel. 041/26272), in the neighboring town of Collon. In my view, this is the finest dining in the area. Here elegant courses are presented in the midst of an art gallery. For pre dinner cocktails you can relax in very comfortable sitting areas surrounded by the work of local artists. Call for reservations.

Lodging

The Conyngham Arms Hotel (Tel. 041/24155) is the one hotel in Slane and offers fine accomodations. It is situated in the center of town, on Main Street just west of the crossroads and across from the Slane Tourist Information Center (041/24010).

Bed and Breakfasts

There are quite a few Bed and Breakfast establishments in and around Slane.

The Cottage of the Poet Francis Ledwidge

The Hill of Slane

The Megalithic Tombs

The Town: History, Lodging, Pubs and Restaurants, Shops

Slane Castle & Concerts

By the Author "Slane"