Rossnaree

(or 'the headland of the kings') stands high above the River Boyne in County Meath, slightly less than half way from Slane to Oldbridge, in an area long renowned in Irish history, heritage and folklore. In Celtic mythology, this is the place where Finn MacCumhail is said to have cooked the legendary Salmon of Knowledge and the present house is reputedly built on the site of the House of Cletty, where the High Kings on their way from Tara would wait before crossing the river to partake in the seasonal ceremonies and rituals.

Brú na Bóinne, the three great burial mounds of Dowth, Knowth and Newgrange, which together make up one of the world's most famous prehistoric burial grounds, is just across the river and there are particularly fine views of Newgrange from many of the rooms. Rossnaree has also been the site of some notable battles, including a hotly contested crossing of the river during the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

While parts of the house date from the early 1700s, Rossnaree was built by the Law family in the 1860s in the Italianate style. The main rooms are elegant and comfortable, in the traditional country house style, the decoration of some rooms also reflecting the owner's many long sojourns overseas. It is surrounded by the family farm and bounded by the River Boyne, where there is private trout fishing in season. The present owner, Aisling Law, is a skilled cook and an accomplished hostess, and she and her children make guests very welcome.

Rossnaree is right beside the Brú na Bóinne visitor centre, the access point for guided tours of the megalithic passage tombs at Newgrange and Knowth, and just off the M1, the main motorway from Dublin to Belfast, so that Dublin and its airport are within easy reach. In the immediate area is Slane Castle, famous for its rock concerts, the Hill of Tara, the three High Crosses at Monasterboice, Mellifont Abbey and the historic town of Drogheda.


Directions:
From Dublin take the N2 north towards Slane. Turn right at the sign for Newgrange. The house is on left with white entrance gates. From Dublin Airport take the M1 north and then the Exit to Donore and Newgrange. The gates are on the right, two miles past the Visitor Centre.