The Ultimate Guide to Things to Do in Dunboyne: A Local's Perspective

Dunboyne sits at the crossroads of tradition and modernity in County Meath, just 17km west of Dublin. This small but vibrant town originated as a medieval settlement centered around the historic St. Peter and Paul's Church, with records dating back to 1205 when the first stone church was built by the Norman knight Hugh de Lacy.

Unlike many Leinster towns that developed gradually, Dunboyne was almost entirely rebuilt in the early 19th century by the Hamiltons of Dunboyne Castle, giving it the distinctive planned layout and architectural cohesion you see today. This makes it one of the few Leinster towns with a deliberately designed town center rather than the organic growth pattern typical of medieval settlements.

Dunboyne's Major Attractions

Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa

This restored 18th-century mansion offers more than just luxury accommodation. The grounds feature original walled gardens and woodland walks open to non-guests. The castle's restoration preserved many original features while adding modern amenities.

Visitor Info: Open daily, gardens are best visited in morning light (9-11am) when the dew catches on the heritage rose collection. Allow 1-2 hours for the grounds. Unlike Kilkenny Castle's more formal gardens, Dunboyne Castle offers more intimate, secluded spaces with better accessibility.

St. Peter and Paul's Church

The current church dates to 1834, but stands on medieval foundations. Look for the Hamilton family monuments and the rare 15th-century baptismal font rescued during renovations.

Visitor Info: Open daily 10am-4pm except during services. The church is small; 30 minutes is enough to appreciate its features. Quietest on weekday afternoons.

Dunboyne Fairy Trail

This imaginative woodland walk through Summerhill Road Park features handcrafted fairy doors and miniature scenes created by local artists. The trail changes seasonally with new features added regularly.

Visitor Info: Dawn to dusk daily, but mid-afternoon on weekdays avoids the family rush. Plan for a 40-minute leisurely walk. Bring a notebook as children enjoy making sketches of their favorite doors.

Dunboyne Greenway

This 4km walking and cycling path connects the town center with the Royal Canal Way at Clonsilla. The route follows an old railway line and features native wildflower meadows and bird watching spots.

Visitor Info: Always open, but best at sunset when you might spot bats emerging from the old railway bridges. Allow 1 hour for cycling, 2 hours for a walking excursion with stops.

Fairyhouse Racecourse

Just outside town lies this historic racecourse, home of the Irish Grand National since 1870. Even on non-race days, you can walk the grounds and visit the small racing museum.

Visitor Info: Museum open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm. Race days vary seasonally. Allow 2-3 hours on race days, 1 hour for the museum. Unlike Punchestown in Kildare, Fairyhouse offers better viewing angles of jump fences and a more intimate atmosphere.

Phoenix Park Perimeter

While technically in Dublin, the western edge of Europe's largest walled city park touches Dunboyne parish. This less-visited section offers quiet forest trails and excellent deer spotting.

Visitor Info: Always open. Morning visits (7-9am) offer the best wildlife viewing. Allow 2 hours for a decent exploration of this section.

Dunboyne's Hidden Gems

The Síd of Dunboyne

Behind the modern housing estate on Rooske Road lies a small, unmarked ancient burial mound. Local folklore claims it's one of the entrances to the otherworld where the Tuatha Dé Danann retreated after being defeated by the Milesians. Farmers historically left small offerings here until the 1940s.

Visiting tip: The landowner permits respectful visitors, but keep to the edge of the field during growing season.

Station House Workshops

This collection of artisan studios in the converted old railway station seldom makes it to tourist guides. The building dates to 1848 and now houses local weavers, a blacksmith, and a traditional instrument maker who occasionally gives impromptu performances.

The blacksmith, Fionn Murphy, is a descendant of one of the smiths who worked on the original station's ironwork, continuing a family tradition spanning six generations.

The Séamus Ennis Oak

Down a small laneway off the Navan Road stands an ancient oak tree where the famous uilleann piper Séamus Ennis allegedly composed some of his best-known music. Locals say the tree is over 500 years old, and its acoustics are exceptional—something about the curved trunk creates natural amplification. Small traditional music sessions still happen here spontaneously on summer evenings.

Luttrellstown Loop Walk

This 6km trail skirts the boundary of the historic Luttrellstown estate, offering glimpses into the grand demesne where David and Victoria Beckham famously married. What most visitors don't know is that the northeastern section contains a hidden holy well that predates Christianity, later dedicated to St. Brigid. Local mothers still sometimes bring newborns here for blessing.

Event Calendar

Spring

• Dunboyne St. Patrick's Day Festival (Mid-March): Unlike many Irish towns that just have a parade, Dunboyne's three-day festival includes a "Shamrock Hunt" where locals hide ceramic shamrocks around town with prizes attached.
• Dunboyne Castle Garden Show (Late April): Local gardeners showcase heritage plants and traditional techniques, with a focus on plants mentioned in early Irish manuscripts.

Summer

• Midsummer Night Market (June 21st): The town square transforms with local food producers, craft stalls, and traditional musicians until midnight.
• Dunboyne Horse Fair (Early July): Dating back to 1796, this traditional horse trading fair now includes competitions for best-groomed pony and historical re-enactments of cavalry training.
• Cherry Festival (Late July): Celebrating the town's once-famous cherry orchards with pie competitions, cherry-pit spitting contests, and fruit-themed street performances.

Autumn

• Dunboyne Harvest Festival (September): Showcasing local produce with cooking demonstrations from local chefs, apple pressing, and threshing demonstrations using vintage machinery.
• Samhain Fire Festival (October 31st): A pre-Christian celebration with fire performers, storytelling, and a torchlit procession to the Síd of Dunboyne.

Winter

• Christmas Market Weekends (December): The town's Georgian square hosts weekend markets with an emphasis on local crafts and food, mulled apple juice from local orchards, and a unique "giving tree" where residents exchange homemade gifts.
• St. Stephen's Day Wren Boys (December 26th): One of the few places in Leinster where this tradition continues, with costumed performers going door-to-door with music and dance in exchange for food and drink.

Family Activities

Dunboyne Adventure Centre

This outdoor facility offers zip lines, climbing walls, and obstacle courses suitable for children 6 and up. The center also runs specific "Tiny Trekkers" sessions for 3-5 year olds with modified activities.

Best for: Ages 3-16, especially active children who need to burn energy.

Joe's Farm Animal Sanctuary

This small rescue farm allows children to interact with and learn about farm animals, from feeding lambs to grooming donkeys. The owners focus on education about animal welfare and sustainable farming.

Best for: Ages 2-10, particularly animal lovers and children from urban areas.

Dunboyne Library Maker Space

For rainy days, the town library runs excellent workshops in their dedicated maker space, offering everything from robotics to traditional craft sessions. The "Young Historians" program on Wednesday afternoons teaches children about local archaeology through hands-on activities.

Best for: Ages 7-14, especially on wet days or for children interested in STEM or history.

Geocaching Adventure Trail

Dunboyne has over 20 registered geocaches hidden around the town and surrounding areas, ranging from easy finds for beginners to challenging puzzles that require solving local history clues.

Best for: Ages 8+, particularly good for families who enjoy solving puzzles together.

Fairy Forest Theatre

Monthly outdoor children's theater performances take place in the wooded area near the community center. These interactive shows involve audience participation and often incorporate local folklore.

Best for: Ages 4-10, especially imaginative children who enjoy performance and storytelling.

Local Business Highlights

Ryan's Pub

This fourth-generation pub serves more than just perfect pints. Their lamb and rosemary pie uses meat exclusively from farms within a 5km radius of the town. The real draw is their "Whiskey Wall" featuring over 120 Irish whiskeys, including their house-aged special: a Tyrconnell single malt finished in cherry wood barrels, a nod to Dunboyne's fruit-growing history.

Signature item: Wednesday's "Pairing Board" – three Irish whiskey samples matched with local cheeses and house-made brown bread.

Ardu Coffee

This café looks unassuming but serves the most interesting coffee menu in the region. Owner Maria Flynn trained as a chemist before becoming a barista, and her experimental approach shows in creations like her lemon-infused cold brew and hazelnut-smoked espresso.

Crafty Fox Workshop

Part shop, part working studio, this place specializes in reviving traditional Meath crafts. You'll find handwoven Boyne Valley linens alongside contemporary pieces that use ancient techniques. The owner, Sarah Kelly, offers demonstrations of rush work on Saturday mornings.

Signature item: "Meath Meadow" scented candles made with local beeswax and wildflowers gathered from around Dunboyne, each with a small pressed flower visible in the wax.

O'Brien's Bakehouse

This bakery uses grain grown and milled within County Meath, continuing a baking tradition that's been in the same family since 1925. Their sourdough starter supposedly originated from one brought to Dunboyne by a returning emigrant from San Francisco in the 1890s.

Signature item: Gooseberry and elderflower tarts using fruit from their own garden behind the bakery.

Dunboyne offers a perfect blend of accessibility and authenticity for visitors looking to experience a genuine slice of Leinster life. While close enough to Dublin for convenience, its distinct character, seasonal events, and local traditions make it worth more than just a passing visit. Whether you're interested in history, outdoor activities, family fun, or simply experiencing the rhythm of a real Irish town, Dunboyne rewards those willing to slow down and look beyond the obvious attractions. Read our guide about things to do in Celbridge.