Road Changes

Navan Town Scheme (Navan 2030) –Traffic Management changes begin at the Abbey Road roundabouts as part of the current upgrade works in the town.

Full details on the changes

Phase 3 Starts

From today gyms, cinemas, churches, leisure facilities, hairdressers and 'most places' can reopen and all travel limits removed.

This does not mean the virus has gone away.

Hedge Gone

News that more trees and hedge line was removed for development concerned us. When the rain eventually cleared we took a look for ourselves at the Dunville Estate development where it meets Kentstown Road. We discover that the hedge was removed in accordance with planning permission, albeit during bird nesting season, but we were relieved to see that the plan suggests over 20 trees will be planted together with what looks like a boundary wall. It should enhance the route but since we can't publish the plans you can view them here .

Well done Keith

Amazing endurance with 226 km and 567 laps in his 24hr fundraiser to help Claremont Stadium replace the running track.

€17,533k raised so far and you can donate via GoFundMe.

Local Charities

Going forwards all fundraising activities are hampered by social distancing and they desperately need donations to keep supporting our communities.

Local Charities

Donate by text message.

Local Sports

Our Guide presents 32 Sports Categories with 188 venues within our neighbourhood.

Sporting Clubs

Social Clubs

We have 23 Categories of non sports based clubs in our guide ranging from arts and crafts through to singing, dancing and theatre.

Social Clubs

Spend Locally

Put the theory into practice and keep local people employed in local services, facilities, shops and restaurants.

See our Guides for what the neighbourhood has on our doorsteps.

Local Shops

Thirsty Plants

The Johnstown Tidy Towns portable rainwater buggy gets its first outing of the year to feed and water the Sunflower Planting outside Athlumney Hall.

Remember there's still a hosepipe ban in effect until July 21st. Between members of the JTT they have capacity for 1000 litres in rainwater butts. During the wet spell it's worth getting one for your home.

Vandalism

'Navan Gardaí are investigating an incident which occurred at Páirc Tailteann yesterday evening between 5pm and 8pm. A number of youths broke into a shed on the grounds of Páirc Tailteann and stole a ride on lawn mower, which they proceeded to drive around the car park and the pitch, causing damage.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to contact Navan Garda Station on 046-9036100.'

Community Help Needed

A Johnstown family needs help from our Community.

Read the Meath Chronicle article.

You can make a donation via https://www.gofundme.com/f/bogdan-treatment-in-south-korea

Doctor on Call Returns

The NEDOC service officially returns to Navan from Dunshaughlin this evening.

Please note that it is an appointment only service via 1850 777 911 at the new location at Academy Square.

Meath Chronicle Article

Quick Analogy

In response to the recent news item about wearing face masks where social distancing is difficult we received this illustration which gets the point across quickly. Image credit source

There's a further explanation to go with it where the takeout point we would like to highlight is that 25%-50% of the infected population may appear healthy but they could still infect you, the people you then meet, and how many will be vulnerable to the worst effects of the virus?

Wear a Face Mask when it's needed.

Ladies Haircut

Ischia Hair, Beauty & Wig Clinic reopen June 29th and their phone line for bookings opens today from 9am (046) 909 1791.

Contact details for more Local Hairdressers

Gents Haircut

Crew Barbers in Johnstown Village announce they will reopen June 29th. To assist everyone they have introduced an Online booking form although you can still phone to make appointment rather than turn up and wait.

Tara Barbers in the Johnstown Shopping Centre book via Dave on 087 149 1723

Contact details and more Local Hairdressers

Wear a Mask or Not?

Wearing a Face Mask is not mandatory, it is not invincible but if you watch the informative video to the end you might decide to wear one AND help inform others. Facebook Post to Share

Read the HSE advice here

New Electric Meters

Has one been fitted to your home yet?

ESB Ireland have recommenced the roll out of new meters to homes in the area. They will contact you directly to advise on the installation date.

More Information

NEDOC Returns

Updated 24th June with news that it reopens this evening

We don't yet have a date but Doctor on Call was due to return to Navan in March. Understandably the health emergency has prioritised services.

Formal signage has appeared in the new Navan location of Academy Square but we'll have to wait for a formal announcement for it's relocation from Dunshaughlin Health Care Unit where it has been based since Nov 26th, 2019.

Restaurants to Reopen

Plenty of celebrations have been postponed in the past few months not to mention date nights and escape nights.

Local venues offering dining services are making social distancing adjustments and getting ready for a new customer experience.

Contact details and more in our guide to Very Local Food Outlets.

Pre Booking will be essential:

Monday 29th June:

• Ardboyne Hotel
• O'Briens

Thursday 2 July:

• Fifty50

Awaiting confirmation:

• Costa Coffee
• The Willows

Sunshine Display

Johnstown Tidy Towns have been busy with the help of local residents.

"They're not this big yet but in August they should flower to produce a fabulous display of giant sunflowers along the wall of Athlumney Hall on Metges Road."

Send them suggestions of where to make future displays.

Internet Tip

If the local Electricity Power Supply goes off and you're working from home you can switch on your Smartphone's 'Mobile Hotspot' to connect to the internet.

HOWEVER be prepared for the network to be heavily tasked, your mobile battery to wear down, and be careful about the cost and mobile data use.

Remember to switch it off after the power supply comes back!

Fogging Up?

As more people start wearing facemasks in confined spaces where social distancing is difficult those wearing glasses have a serious issue.

Glasses fogging up is a potential health hygiene hazard if you need to frequently touch your face.

Avoid the issue by following a tip in the video clip.

Mark of Respect

A minutes silence was observed outside the four District Headquarters Garda Stations in Meath today in honour of Detective Garda Colm Horkan RIP.

RTE coverage

Happy Father's Day

17 hours & 1minute

is the amount of daylight on our longest day. It's 9 hours, 22 minutes longer than on the December Solstice.

• 4:03am Dawn
• 4:46am Sunrise
• 9:57pm Sunset
• 10:49pm Dusk

Eclipse

We have a 'New Moon' today where it passes between the earth and the sun leaving us to see it's dark side.

We will have to wait until Saturday, 23rd Sept 2090 to see the full 'ring of fire' as it passses completely infront of the Sun. Our next partial eclipse is a lot sooner on Thursday 6th October 2021

Summer Solstice

June 21st is our longest day so perhaps see the sunrise and sun set too.

Mindful of everything that's been going on lately it's a chance to pause in the moment, to catch your breath, to take in the natural spectacle and to be thankful for what we have.

Johnstown Playground

TD Peadar Tóibín is backing for a playground to be sited within the Athlumney Riverside Woodland running behind the Council HQ.

We've looked into this area over the past 18 months and have reservations about developing what we think is the crowning jewel of Navan South.

In the meantime we encourage anyone to put forward suggestions to find a feasible solution for the sake of generations to come.

If you don't want to post on social media simply Email or Messenger us and we'll post it anonymously.

The Meath Chronicle Article

Good News

A Happy Message from the Johnstown family recently searching for their stolen caravan and just in time for their holiday.

"We got our caravan back, thanks to Garda Kevin McGuinness Clonmel Garda Station pictured in photo handing Andy the keys. Thanks to my friends in Dundalk, Lorraine in HSE, Fiona, the cyclist in Clonmel, garda Martin in Kells, Garda Brady in Slane, and everyone for sharing on Facebook,

Only one caravan left to find, the 'Adria Altea Trent', please keep sharing and find their van.

Thank you all. Boys Aaron and Ciarán and my dog Bella will be delighted when we come back with it."

Phase 3 Easing Restrictions

This evening the Taoiseach revealed the acceleration of the roadmap for Phase 3.

From June 29th gyms, cinemas, churches, leisure facilities, hairdressers and 'most places' can reopen.

This does not mean the virus has gone away, or that there is a treatment or vaccine. It does mean we will need to continue with social distancing, hygiene and there are limitations to gatherings.

Speech of An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, announcing a Revised Roadmap for Reopening Ireland's Society and Business

Causey Ice Cream Adventure

A family favourite for camps and events Causey Farm have announce a new adventure to meet your favourite farm animals with a few unexpected surprises .... and Ice Cream too!

More Information but do visit their Facebook Page for a discount offer.

Text 'TALK' to 50808

A new text-based mental health service funded by the HSE is a first of its kind for Ireland, a free 24/7 text service, providing everything from a calming chat to immediate support for people going through mental health or emotional crisis.

Mental Health Guide

Navan Train

Drastic transport changes are required if we are to cut carbon emissions and reduce the effects of climate change. Despite many Meath Councillors and TD's knowing that Meath road transport infrastructure will soon see miserable commutes return , it doesn't appear to be on the current government agenda.

'Cathaoirleach of the Meath on Track Campaign Peadar Tóibín TD has castigated the absence of the Navan to Dublin Rail Line from the new FF/FG/Green Programme for Government'

Read our previous article and, regardless of Politics, get behind your TD & County Cllr to push for change.

GAA Cúl Camp On

Walterstown Gfc Official confirm the Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camps will go ahead in Meath July 20th - Aug 17th.

Venue and bookings have not been confirmed.

Donate Food & Clothing

As you shop or clear out cupboards please donate items to support families in need within our communities:

Food donations

• Athboy's People Who Share Care Group Alan Lawes, 15 Boyne View, Johnstown, Navan
• Meath Food Bank Tierney's Newsagents, Navan.

Clothing donations

• Inner City Helping Homeless Alan Lawes, 15 Boyne View, Johnstown, Navan

Charity Shops

• Enable Ireland
• Friends of Asthma
• NCBI
• Oxfam
• St Vincent's on Brews Hill and Kennedy Rd

Holiday Stolen

Many of us will have had their 2020 summer holidays abroad cancelled but imagine having your Irish holiday stolen just weeks before departure!

See Update News 19th June : The caravan has been reunited.

One family from Johnstown is now desperate for the return of their caravan which was stolen from storage in Gernonstown, Slane, on the night of 10th/11th June. Their missing caravan is a Swift Sprite Major 2016 4sb and one of 4 taken on the night.

Give the Gardaí a call on 046-9021445 with any sightings or information.

Read RTE's coverage of the heartless theft of one of the other caravans entitled "Family of boy with special needs in plea for return of 'happy place' caravan"

Balrath Woods Reopens

Officially reopen from Tuesday 16th June. Read our previous article and it's a great opportunity to map their trees too.

Please do not leave litter behind, do maintain social distancing and don't leave valuables in your car!

Balrath Woods Article

Shopping Centres Reopen

Today sees Navan Town Centre retailers reopen but restaurants based in shopping centres will still need to wait until June 29th for eat-in meals whilst hairdressers remain closed until 20 July.

Expect there to be distinct floor markings to aid social distancing, encouragement to wear face masks and customer numbers to be restricted.

Adding a Smile

What a difference a Community working together can make to enhance the lives of those in less fortunate circumstances.

Today saw a great turn out of Johnstown Tidy Towns volunteers who deliver food hampers to needy families in OUR neighbourhood. You could join them every Saturday morning to lend a helping hand

Johnstown Tidy Towns

Athboy's People Who Share Care Group

Social Tennis Night

Navan Tennis Club announce the return of Tuesday Social Tennis, 7:30pm only open to Members who prebook.

Discounted Membership is also now being offered.

Food Hampers

Every Saturday from 11:30am volunteers are needed to help distribute food parcels to many households in need within the Navan Neighbourhood.

Offer your time via Johnstown Tidy Towns.

What's On

We've reawakened our Local Event Guide including activities of Interest which you can either attend in person or tune in online, also any planned road works to avoid.

Read More

Theatre Survey

Solstice Arts Centre seek audience thoughts on restarting productions.

Survey Form

Public Petition

The Community is being asked to sign a petition Demanding 'More Garda Resources for County Meath'. This includes reopening stations full time and creating more in large urban areas including Johnstown.

View and Sign Petition

Tree Guide

To help you with our quest to identify and map local trees we've updated our article with 19 of the most common Irish Trees.

Read More

Hosepipe Ban

Irish Water have announced a hosepipe ban will come into effect from midnight for 6 weeks.

More

Give Blood

Irish Blood Transfusion Service will be at the Ardboyne Hotel Monday 15th to Thursday 18th June.

Existing donors can make an appointment via 041 - 685 9994 with your donor ID number.

More

Charity Shops

This week most are reopening and we need to support them with items for resale and of course buy something.

Over 70's

Now that we can reach Blackwater Park the Over 70's can participate Wednesday 10th June in 20mins of gentle exercises at the following times: 1.45pm-2.05pm or 3pm-3.20pm with Meath Local Sports Partnership.

To book a place please contact Ruairi at rmurphy@meathcoco.ie or call 046-9067337.

Restrictions Ease

You can now travel within the County but if you're seeking a brief change of scenery where could you go?

Read Article

Shop Locally

To help you support our local community as the shops begin to reopen we offer a very local retail guide to help you stay local and buy local.

Read Article

Love Our Trees

Some of our trees are not being lost naturally but by developments. We ask for your help to record what we have to establish the biodiversity they offer.

Help us to ensure that Johnstown, Navan and County Meath remains Green.

Read Article

June Edition

If you have News, Reviews or ideas for Article then get in touch.

Read Latest Edition

Street Art

Involve Meath have been busy transforming walls into street art (with consent as opposed to graffiti ).

If anyone has a blank wall let them know.

Seen Any?

www.irishhedgehogsurvey.com would like you to tell If you see any hedgehogs since they believe they are in decline due to habitat loss.

Fundraiser

Walterstown Gfc Official announce their Solo for Siún Fundraiser in aid of CMRF Crumlin.

Watch their Facebook Video Post and donate via their Go Fund Me Page

New Fire Engine

Meath County Fire & Rescue Service received a new Scania Fire Appliance for Navan Fire Station.

Big Phase 2 Changes!

Announced today there are far BIGGER changes than expected made to the Phase 2 easing of restrictions from Monday June 8th.

Too many to mention even briefly, with huge implications, so read them here on Gov.ie

It's On!

National Heritage Week 2020 is one of the few events to confirm that it will be taking place from 15-23rd August

Sign up to their newsletter to keep up to date:

Not this Year?

Covid lockdown has meant that there is a severe shortage of plants. This could mean St Martha's Bridge may not host a flower display by the Johnstown Tidy Towns this year.

Low Levels

Are we going to have a hosepipe ban soon?

The water level in the River Boyne has dropped considerably which is great news for children wishing to see the fish.

Growing Fast

The nettles and grasses are growing quickly but thanks to the large numbers now enjoying the Athlumeny Riverside Trail the path remains clearly visible. This time last year it was very overgrown.

Tree Trim

Maple Estate trees get a trim to remove some of the overgrown lower branches.

Holiday @ Home

Another beautifully sunny Bank Holiday but the message remains to stay within 5km of home.

5km from Home

Keep within the health rules set down to help curb the spread of Coronavirus.

On June 8th the the distance from home you can travel for exercise is set to increase from a 5km radius to 20km.

Discover exactly where this extends to for you.

Distance Website

Leave Only Footprints

Even with local movement restrictions we're still finding litter where it should not be.

The estate lawns, the Johnstown People's Park and even the Athlumney Riverside Walk is not a rubbish bin.

Please take it Home.

New Track 4 Navan

Claremont Stadium has received a substantial grant from the Sport Capital Programme but needs to raise more to replace the 20 year old track.

See their GoFundMe Page to see if you can help..

Donate.

Community Garden

On Saturday June 6th Solas Glan are hosting an open day which for some might be within their 5km range. Map Location here.

Their organic community garden is something we would love to see created in every neighbourhood.

Discover more on their Facebook Page and Event Page

Buzzing

If you planted wildflowers they could now be blooming adding not only colour to your garden but also a bee symphony,

Bee Helpful