Fresh Air

Lately we've had our fill of 'liquid sunshine' and let's face it, Ireland remains green for a good reason. We've been inside too long but it can be safe to return outdoors for exercise. We've not been deterred by the weather and have been taking every chance to get outside for some basic exercise and to clear our minds. Here we provide a glimpse of where we've been and what you could be doing.

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Countryside Walks

Coastal Walks

Fun activities disguise exercise.

The following locations are those we've visited in recent weeks and you'll find more local venues in our Meath Guide.

Countryside Walks

On a dry sunny day take a picnic and enjoy our woodlands such as the 📍Athlumney Riverside Trail running between the St Martha's and Old Kilcarn bridges. It now hosts clear trails due to it's recent popularity.

📍The Ramparts path from Navan to 📍Broadboyne Bridge takes and hour to walk each way but if you're fortunate to have the use of 2 cars you can place one at each location to avoid having to make the return journey on foot. You can walk literally on the water's edge at 📍Slane Bridge taking in h a clear view of Slane Castle on the opposite bank.

📍Dalgan Park at Garlow Cross has been CLOSED during the lockdown and is yet to reopen but it is a well managed woodland walk with a path around the fields and alongside the river.

📍The Hill of Tara is a popular location for many hosting something different to each visitor. There's mounds to run up and down, history to appreciate, a woodland walk, fields to fly a kite or just enjoy the view over 5 counties before grabbing a refreshment at 📍Maguires Cafe. There's also the Tara Walking Club if you're looking for company.

📍Balrath Woods is another popular and well managed woodland trail which is great for all seasons with children's play areas to keep the little ones motivated along the route.

If you're seeking to see some historic sites then travel slightly further west to the grounds around 📍Trim Castle and walk to the ruins of 📍St.Mary's Abbey, 📍Sheeps Gate and alongside the River Boyne to the 📍Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul.

📍Deerpark Forest in Virginia, County Cavan is a very new discovery to us and only 35 minutes by car. Even during the very heavy rain showers the trees sheltered us from all but the occasional drip. Several red squirrels entertained us along the winding woodland trail and the view over the lake can be amazing.

📍Deerpark Forest

Coastal Walks

The sound of the sea is enticing together with sea breeze and sand it reminds us of summer holidays even when the sun's not shining.

📍Bettystown and 📍Laytown are our nearest beaches where there are current restrictions on beach parking but the Colaiste Na Hínse school is apparently providing nearby parking. Head a little further north for something less touristy at 📍Mornington Bay to see the mouth of the River Boyne and 📍Maiden Tower but take a picnic since there are no cafes or facilities at the beach itself. There's plenty of wading birds to be seen on the opposite bank at the 📍Louth Nature Trust (Little Tern Conservancy).

Slightly further north over the River Boyne and into County Louth to 📍Clogherhead Beach for rock pools and sandy beach or on to 📍Oriel Port where you'll be challenged to count the seals clearly visible in the water.

Alternatively, head south to 📍Balbriggan Beach or slightly further on to 📍Skerries Harbour and walk around the peninsula to enjoy rock pools, green lawns, playground, sandy stretches and for the brave there's entrances off the rocks for sea swimmers. If it's open when you visit try the ice cream from 📍Storm in a Tea Cup.

NOTE: There are lots of jellyfish in the shallow water and washed up on the shore - perhaps best not to touch them. Weaver Fish are also very painful if stepped on so be very careful at low tide. The water is also ice cold so 'vitamin sea' is only for the brave or foolish.

📍Mornington Bay

On the Local Greens

There's certainly enough green lawns around Johnstown, and Navan, to accommodate dozens of groups and activities so perhaps contact your Estate Group with ideas of how to make better use of them.

Lindsey, of LBFitness, continues to host classes 3 evenings a week on the green in📍Athlumney Abbey which is attracting many residents so do book in advance via the facebook page.

We thoroughly endorse the safe use of our open spaces and parks for public enjoyment and if there are more activity groups we'll help spread the word. In previous years Meath Local Sports Partnership made use of the 📍Bailis Downs Green and more recently Susan Clarke Fitness took the opportunity to use the 📍Limekiln Green whilst the Feel Fit Gym was closed.

📍Athlumney Abbey Image Source: LBFitness,

Pound the Pavements

Johnstown Running Club will have you breathless Friday evenings with group outings around the neighbourhood or simply follow one of many routes for local walks.

Our Local Parks

📍Johnstown People's Park hosts 8 acres of lawn but with the exception of Johnstown FC's Academy there have been no formal activities in recent years. It's great for flying a kite or spontaneous exercise.

📍Blackwater Park, North Navan, offers a circular loop walk suitable for all abilities together with 3 large playing fields which continues to host several events organised by Meath Local Sports Partnership including dancing, exercise classes, walking football and more. Johnstown Kenpo Karate Club also use the space for lessons 2 days a week during dry weather.

Adventure Centres

Navan Adventure Centre is open for numerous activities and we highly recommend the Football Golf. Unfortunately 📍Rathbeggan Lakes has permanently closed but they've transferred their Social Media to Navan Adventure Centre to keep at least one other activity centre a lease of new life.

Navan Adventure Centre

Pedal Power

Many will have rediscovered family cycle outings but unless you have a rack for your car then staying local is fraught with road safety.

Navan Cycling Initiative was recently launched by local resident Kevin Corrigan to encourage the use of bicycles for both pleasure and as a practical form of local transport. Read more in the recent article in cyclist.ie.

Navan is only a 10 to 20 min cycle from all parts of Johnstown but the cycle lane comes to an abrupt stop at one the worst pedestrian and cyclist friendly road junctions. St Martha's Bridge junction with the Dublin Road frequently has cars run the red light. When you arrive at your destination in Navan where do you lock up your bicycle, there is little infrastructure to encourage cyclists which is where the cycling initiative group are hoping to make new tracks.

On a positive note it's good news that consultants are being tasked with extending the pedestrian-cycle route alongside the River Boyne from Navan to connect with the existing route linking Newgrange to Drogheda.

Cycle paths in Purple indicate that there is considerable work to be done to encourage Navan a bicycle friendly community.

Sports Clubs

Sports Ireland endorses the 'Safe Return to Sport' and encourages you to participate in gradually increasing amounts of activity for both your mental health and physical wellbeing.

Navan Tennis Club reopened a few weeks back and is currently running it's Junior Summer Sessions and Tuesday Social Tennis and most Football and GAA clubs will now be returning, find all their main links in our Sports Club Guide.