New Bus Route Map

Transport For Ireland now have a Navan Bus Services map illustrating the new N1 & N2 local routes.

Downloadable PDF

Changes to Alcohol Sales

New rules governing the sale of alcohol is applied nationally today in an effort to reduce our consumption and improve the nation's health.

The changes :

• An end to discounted 'multi buy' offers.

• Individual item discounts must last for more than 3 days.

• Loyalty shopping points no longer earned on alcohol purchases and similarly loyalty vouchers cannot be used to purchase alcohol.

• In-store barriers will screen off the section to limit exposure to younger people.

New Community Spaces

News reported in the Meath Chronicle that 'Five acres of land are to be set aside by the county council in its proposed development plan 2021-27 for the development of sports facilities in Johnstown.' is generally receiving positive reactions on local social media. However the comments suggest that people would like to see dates and plans before they get their hopes up.

Freezing Conditions

It's the coldest night we've ever experienced with the temperature in Johnstown dropping to -9.1°C in the early hours of the morning.

By 10am the temperature outside had only risen to a mere -5.4°C.

Much Longer Riverside Walk

New plans have been unveiled for the Boyne Greenway and Navigation Restoration. For Navan it means an extension for the Ramparts riverside walk, run or cycle as far as Drogheda! This will be a very big attraction for Navan for locals and tourism.

The earlier Feasibility Report highlighted the proposed route options and the next stage has commenced with a Non-Statutory Public Consultation.

Your feedback is welcomed and if everything goes smoothly the the work to connect the route could commence in 2022/23.

Link to more information and to give online feedback.

Johnstown School Campus Developements

Announced today that Coláiste na Mí and St Mary's Special School's have both received Tender Stage Approval for their respective building works from Minister Norma Foley.

The delay in getting theColáiste na Mí Secondary School Phase 2 extension built has resulted in many students using temporary buildings.

The new building for St Mary's Special School has been talked about for 30 years! The new planned home, within the Johnstown School Campus, will include 11 classrooms and associated ancillary accommodation to cater for pupils with a range of learning disabilities.

Due to the lack of onsite progress in creating these essential facilities social media comments suggest that no one is holding their breath that it will be built anytime soon. We hope that this is not the case.

Riverside Path Revived

As part of a 6 week project many visitors will appreciate the resurfacing works to the Ramparts Path.

The works are expected to be completed Mid March although the sections nearest Navan have already reopened.

New Local Walking Track

Navan RFC has opened up their pitches at Balreask Old for the public to use the perimeter of their grounds for walking and running in safety and fresh air.

See the MAP of the 1km route around Balreask Old.

Help the Homeless in County Meath

Cllr Alan Lawes, with the support of Johnstown Tidy Towns and Inner City Helping Homeless, created the Navan Homeless Outreach Service at the start of the Covid Pandemic in March 2020. Check out the December 2020 video from the Meath Chronicle.

'We now want to launch a County Meath wide outreach service for the homeless but we can only do that with your help. We need volunteers from across the county.'

If you would like to volunteer with ICHHMEATH you can call me on 085 1757216 leaving your contact details. Please share across the County.' Cllr Alan Lawes

Watch Alan's Appeal Video

Babes Bridge

The Ramparts - Boyne River Group report that the RTÉ Nationwide program filmed at Babes Bridge, near Rowley's Lock on the Ramparts. for a show to air in April about the condition of the structure.

Built in 1210-1213 by the Normans it was the only bridge to survive a great flood in 1330 that washed away all the Boyne bridges from Trim to Drogheda.

Only one of the eleven arches remains of the bridge which once connected across to Donaghmore.

📝Proposal to Stop Spraying Poison in Johnstown

Johnstown Tidy Towns has made an offer to the Council if they stop using weedkiller on Johnstown's main roads.

Read Article

North Bank Boyne Path Closed

News is spreading that the access routes leading to the River Boyne north bank path, on the Blackcastle Demesne side, have been closed off. The land all along the north bank is private property, hence we've not previously mentioned the trail.

The area recently closed off is in addition to the sections of the riverside path leading from Flower Hill and also opposite Rowley's Lock which have both been shut for a considerable period of time, and both have clear Private Property signs.

Fishermen do have certain access but during lock down it has offered local people the opportunity to exercise and experience the River's natural beauty.

Hopefully, the Council will intervene to reach a deal with the landowner to allow public access and cover Public Liability Insurance. It is also hoped that with the latest housing development that there will be access to this magnificent natural feature in the near future.

Tulip Ring

Many of the Johnstown Tidy Towns Spring Bulbs have appeared. Students returning to the Johnstown Campus will see the tulip ring on the roundabout.

If you've ideas and the energy then contact Johnstown Tidy Towns about developing this area into a feature.

Socially Distant Littering!

The Athlumney Riverside Trail should be filling with Spring flowers but the sight of heavy littering greets your eyes.

A large number of wrappers and plastic bottles are being dropped along the raised trail paths but it's nothing compared to the glass bottles and beer cans strewn through the 'meeting' areas near the river.

Please leave nature as it was intended - Litter Free.

'Egg'celent Donation

The Team at Smith's SuperValu donated their staff easter eggs to charity this year. The business matched the donation and Johnstown Tidy Towns will be distributing these to the homeless and those families in food poverty within the coming days.

Charity Donation Vote Results

Voting has ended and the 5 winners of this year's €3,000 donation from Navan County Cllr Alan Lawes Councilor Discretionary Fund 2021 can be viewed here.

Johnstown Winner

Great excitement at Mace in Old Johnstown Village after hearing that they sold the €500,000 winning ticket in Friday's Euro Millions draw.

There's sure to be a happy family locally.

Hot School Dinners Axed

The withdrawal of the Community Employment Scheme, which has supplied staff for 16 years, brings an end to hot school meals for Johnstown's St Mary's Special Needs School in September.

Darkness into Light 2021

Ten's of thousands woke to see the sunrise for the annual Pieta House fundraiser raising awareness of suicide prevention.

More links to services here

Great New Coffee Shop

A warm welcome this morning from Audrey and her team at the recently opened Studio Brew in Old Johnstown Village. They have a special sunrise opening this Saturday 8th May for Darkness into Light 4.30am-6.30am and donating 50% of proceeds bought in those hours to DIL Pieta House Charity.

Opening hours Mon - Fri 7.30am to 1.30pm

Sat & Sun 9.30am to 1.30pm inc. Bank Holidays at Haven Studios

Clean Sweep

Weeds and paths cleared along Metges Road today by Johnstown Tidy Towns. Determined to see that weedkiller is not required to maintain the paths they're calling on volunteers to help.

📝Read Article

Free public WIFI now in Navan Town Centre

Users will be able to access the network by switching on the Wi-Fi on their device and joining the WIFI4EU network.

New NCT Centre

Good news for motorists due their NCT with the announcement that from Monday July 5th a new test centre opens in Navan.

Also, as from June 21st On-Board Diagnostics System will form part of the test.

Find Out More HERE

Cycle Lane Cleaned

Dave and Ed from Navan Cycle Initiative help Johnstown Tidy Towns to clean Bothar Sion's cycle lane of weeds.

Edible Coffee Cups

Taylor's Coffee Shack now offers customers edible coffee cups.

Pop in and try the bonus snack with your drink.

Enthusiastic gardeners

Students at St Mary's Special School in Old Johnstown Village planted out Sunflowers to join the Johnstown Tidy Towns Summer Trail. When the school returns in August the flowers should be in full bloom.

Growing Long

The verge bank at Spire View Lawns is being managed by residents to benefit wildlife. Neatly mowed around its perimeter the natural wildflowers are starting to appear. The intention is not to mow the area until late autumn and only once a year. The grass should start to die off as the soil's nutrients are depleted to be replaced with a natural native wildflower meadow. It's a long process but it should reap huge benefits for biodiversity.

New bollards are not working

We confirmed for ourselves this morning that the newly installed barriers do not prevent delivery vehicles from parking on the pavement, and next to the pedestrian crossing, outside the Johnstown Shopping Centre.

Clean-Up Continues

Weeds that would otherwise be sprayed with poisonous chemicals continue to be removed manually by Johnstown Tidy Towns Volunteers.

They report that 90% of the pavements have now had at least one visit removing in excess of 10 wheelbarrow loads of weeds.

Partial Solar Eclipse

Between this morning's clouds we caught a glimpse of the moon passing in front of the sun.

Balrath Woods Reopen

After a long closure the woods have finally reopened to the public.

It has been reported that all the play equipment has been removed - perhaps for Covid reasons?

Please note the new double yellow lines on the road outside the official car park.

See more local woodland walks in our Guide.

Clean Edge Resumes

In the fine weatherJohnstown Tidy Towns have resumed the edging of verges along the main roads to remove the need for the Council to use weedkiller.

Read about their project in our article here.

Slow Down

6 speed tables were installed at the end of May to slow traffic in Old Johnstown Village.

Record Breaker

The nearest station on the Weather Underground App records 31 degrees in North Navan.

Thirsty Plants

If you use plastic drinks bottles then the Tidy Towns group will show you how to use them to water your garden plants more quickly and efficiently.

See Video Clip

Flowers for Johnstown

Beechmount Garden Centre donated 100's of Geraniums and Lobelia plants to the Tidy Towns group and all are used within the day by residents groups.

Wild Colours

Near the southern entrance of the Johnstown People's Park, Metges Road, the wildflowers planted by the Tidy Towns group has now erupted in colour and is attracting pollinators.

10 Locations

One-third of the Sunflower Trail locations are now growing 80 plants as part of Johnstown Tidy Towns Summer SunflowerTrail.

Fence Vandalised

Possibly connected to the bridge flower basket vandalism the section of the fence opposite Athlumney Abbey junction was destroyed. Although the damage is considerable it is understood that the fence timber was fairly rotten.

Perhaps it's time to take the entire fence down?

Pride Of Place

Entered into the Best New Entrant, Best Large Town, and Actions for Pollinators, Johnstown Tidy Towns have this year made their first entry into the National Competition and today showcased their work to a visiting judge.

Pollinator Projects

Johnstown Tidy Towns have erected street posters to promote their involvement in supporting biodiversity throughout the neighbourhood.

Not all the locations are as colourful as the Bothar Sion Fence Line but each is vital to supporting insects and wildlife.

First Sunflowers Appear

The Johnstown Tidy Towns Sunflower Trail flowers are starting to show around the neighbourhood. Keep an eye out at 23 sites along an 8km trail.

Sunflower Trail

Sunflowers Bloom Across Johnstown

The JTT Sunflowers have bloomed at most of the 19 locations along their 8km Trail.

Sunflower Trail

Navan Bike Fest 2021

Navan Cycling Initiative supported by Navan Road Club began Bike Week with a Family Cycle from Colaiste Na Mi Secondary School and around Navan.

Bogus Door-2-Door Clothing Collectors

A recent spate of junk mail flyers across the neighbourhood are trying their hardest to pull at your heartstrings. Unfortunately their holier-than-thou messages are likely to be Bogus.

There are many official drop-off outlets within Navan or contact Johnstown Tidy Towns.

Authorised Collectors https://www.nwcpo.ie/permitsearch.aspx

Charity Register https://www.charitiesregulator.ie/.../search-the-register...

Recycling Bin Changes

Householders can now place all plastic packaging waste, including soft plastic, into the recycling bin once it is clean, dry and loose.

Not As Clean As We'd Like

Navan has improved its ranking in the latest litter survey by Irish Business Against Litter.

We've moved up from 34th place to 29th this year out of the 40 places surveyed. We're still however classed as being 'Moderately Littered'.

The Johnstown area reflects the same general report comments with food wrappers, drink bottles, and PPE waste making up the majority of the litter.

Read the reports www.ibal.ie

Plans To Close Navan A&E Temporarily Paused

The HSE has been instructed by Minister Stephen Donnelly to pause all plans for the closure of the A&E at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan.

A pause is however not a guarantee that the plans will not be re-engaged.

More in the Meath Chronicle's article.

Walk On Wednesday's

This year St Stephens are working towards the fourth Green Schools flag, the travel flag.

The School has asked every child who can to take part in our W.O.W. days (Walk on Wednesdays). The great news is they can walk, cycle or scoot to school.

Wednesday the 24th of November will be the official launch of the school‘s very first W.O.W day. Throughout the year they want every Wednesday to be a W.O.W. day.

The children are working together to make the school a greener school.

Travel Safely!

The Green School Committee

Johnstown Education Campus to move to the next stage

It's been on the cards for such a long time that it's really good news to hear progress is being made and that completion could be within the next 2 years.

The Meath Chronicle reports that 'Contractors on the long-awaited second phase of the Johnstown Education campus in Navan are expected to be officially appointed in the coming weeks '

Read the Meath Chronicle Article

New Plans for the Athlumney Centre

2 takeaways and a community room appear alongside 2 apartment blocks in the recently submitted planning application for the redevelopment of the Athlumney Centre site on Metges Road.

View the planning application files on the MCC Planning portal

Tidy Towns Award

Our Johnstown Volunteers gained recognition at today's National Tidy Towns Awards. This is the groups second time to win an 'Endeavour Award' for the County Meath group gaining the largest leap in points. Congratulations to the volunteers on their 5.88% increase which was hard earned during these unprecedented times.

It's Not a Sofa!

Nestling besides the main pitch this isn't a comfy winter seat for spectators.

Walterstown GFC play host to the compost pile for Johnstown Tidy Towns. This is a pilot project to recycle turf cuttings and leaf collection for use back in the community next year. The soil beneath the sheet will be used for planting areas planned for Metges Road whilst the leaves, decomposing in black bags, will make a good medium for sowing wildflowers and to place around trees to reduce the need for weedkiller use.

N1 and N2 Bus Stops Completed.

Meath County Council announce that 53 new wheelchair-accessible bus stops and refurbishment work to 13 existing bus stops within the town has also been completed.

Read More

Santaboxes Delivered

100's of presents collected by the Meath Christmas Shoe Box Appeal For Disadvantaged Children were delivered by local volunteers over the weekend.

Car Clamping

Cars seeking parking spaces should be warned that the car clamping company operating in the Johnstown Shopping Centre is active.

Metges Road Sparkles

Santa arrives to view the switching on of Johnstown Tidy Towns Winter Lighting feature on the Bailis Downs Green.

Christmas Hamper Deliveries

Volunteers with Johnstown Tidy Towns delivered 40 Food Hampers within the Navan Area to families in food poverty.

€100 Off First Electricity Bill Of 2022

The government will give every home in the country €100 credit to help reduce the impact of rising electricity bills.

Storm Barra

Schools close as Meath is placed under Orange Wind Weather Warning, and set to turn to the highest Red level between 8am and 1pm.

Batten down the hatches.