The Village

The square grey limestone buildings with slated roof are a feature of this 18th century estate village.

Some have attractive oriel windows, stone steps, archways, wrought iron railings and period shop fronts.

Slane's unique feature is the octagon created by the group of Georgian houses which face each other diagonally across the intersection of the Dublin - Derry and Drogheda - Navan roads.

The houses were built at different times to similar plans as stipulated by the landlord.

The oldest, on the northwest corner was originally an inn.

The four houses of grey limestone, roughly coursed, have dressed quoins and cut stone window jambs with projecting key stones.

Only the doorways are individual.

A fountain in the centre of the octagon has disappeared, but the tapered stone bases of some of the original eight wrought-iron lamp standards have survived.

The Gate Lodge

A pretty turreted gate-lodge on the bend of the road coming down to the bridge is part of the Slane Castle demesne.

The Conyngham monogram is on the gates.

It was once used as a school for females, supported by the Marchioness Conyngham.

The Gothic Gate

At the bottom of the Mill Hill, facing the Mill, is the former main entrance to Slane Castle.

This, with the crenellated wall leading to a turret at the bridge, was designed by Francis Johnston at the same time as he was building nearby Townley Hall (1794 - 1801).

The coat of arms over the gate is of Sir Henry Conyngham and his wife, Elizabeth Denison.

He inherited the Slane property in 1796 and was created earl the following year.

The arms surmounted by an earl's coronet and below is the Order of St. Patrick, to which he was admitted in 1801.

The Twelve Apostles

The buildings in Slane village are complimented by it's many mature trees.

Cedar and evergreen conifers adorn the Square.

Chestnut and copper beech provide a backdrop for the Church of Ireland.

A row of Western Red Cedar along the Old Rectory garden wall, known as the Twelve Apostles, was probably planted when the Rectory was built in 1807.