Eminem’s highly anticipated concert at Slane Castle saw thousands of revellers descend on the Boyne Valley last month. However, there’s more to Slane than music.

It’s where paganism gave way in favour of Christianity, where the Battle of the Boyne took place, and where the winter solstice can be experienced first-hand. Slane is possibly the richest village in Ireland in terms of legends, with many historical sites in close proximity.

The village of Slane is now enjoying a revival of sorts, with many new businesses opening on Main St in the past year, including The Conyngham Arms Hotel, Slane Bake and the Slane Craft Collective.

We spent a day there to find out more.

Slane Farm Hostel

Irish Country Living spent the night at Slane Farm Hostel. We stayed in one of the four-star cottages, but there’s also the choice of staying in dormitories or camping in the fields outside.

The hostel is located on a dairy farm owned by Joanne and Paddy Macken, with cows grazing in the fields nearby – not unusual for guests from the country, but we witnessed one young guest get very excited about our bovine friends. Parts of the farm are open for guests, as is the vegetable patch and hen house – another novelty for urban visitors. Joanne is a member of the Slane tourism committee and is well able to direct anyone to local sites and attractions.

It costs €10 per night to stay in the campsite, and €45pp per night in the cottages. The rate for the cottages decreases to €35pp after two nights, and will come to €350 for one week for two people. Children under 12 go free. To stay in the dorms costs €20pp. See www.slanefarmhostel.ie for more.

Slane Arty Quarter

Located on Main St, Slane Arty Quarter is home to Lilly’s Fine Art, Pat’s Art Studio, and Slane Craft Collective. The latter is made up of a group of 14 local artists who display their work under one roof, with trades varying from woodturning to jewellery and fashion design. If the weather is nice, you might catch one of them working on the pavement outside.

The Arty Quarter is a lovely place to spend an hour or so, whether you’re admiring the beautiful paintings in Pat’s Art Studio or buying a gift for a friend. We particularly liked Suzi Kay’s bags and Lucy O’Gorman’s ceramics in Slane Craft Collective.

Francis Ledwidge Museum

We moved on to the Francis Ledwidge museum in Janeville, which is the birthplace of the World War I poet. Anyone who studied Ledwidge during the Leaving Cert may be slow to visit, but we enjoyed learning more about the poet, who left Slane in 1914 to fight in World War I. The museum has information on his life in Meath and on the battlefields where he died in 1917.

Oh, and anyone doing the Leaving Cert in the next few years might want to visit – he’s back on the curriculum in 2015.

Hill of Slane

You can’t visit Slane without taking a walk up the Hill of Slane. In Irish mythology, it’s known as the place where St Patrick lit the Paschal Candle in defiance of the King of Tara. The ruins of a church and friary stand on top of the hill, while the remains of the Fleming’s motte and bailey from the 12th century lie on the western side of the knoll. Relics from the days of the druids are also present, including the supposed burial ground of Fir Bolg King Slaine.

It’s worth the trek up for the view alone. From the top of the Hill of Slane you can see the River Boyne, Drogheda, and the Hill of Tara. Other historical sites nearby include Slane Castle, Slane Mill and Newgrange. A map for the Slane historic trail can be found on www.meath.ie.

Dinner at Conyngham Arms Hotel

We made our way back to the village for food. Just a few minutes away from Slane Arty Quarter is the Conyngham Arms Hotel, which was reopened just over a year ago by Trish and Brian Conroy.

We had the fish cakes and toffee pudding, and noticed that many local food producers are name checked on the menu – always a good sign.

The cost of a main course ranges from €11.50 to €13, while most desserts cost €6. The Conroys also own the upmarket Tankardstown House, which is a nice spot for afternoon tea if you’re so inclined.

Our day in the Boyne Valley soon came to end and it was time to hit to N2 to Dublin. It was an enjoyable day out, with plenty to see. Eminem, Bon Jovi and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers may be regarded as the stars of Slane, but we reckon the village itself is the lasting attraction. CL