Things to do in Trim
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Talbot Castle
Part of the abbey was converted in 1415 into a fine manor house by Sir John Talbot, then viceroy of Ireland; it came to be known as Talbot Castle. The Talbot coat of arms can be seen on the northern wall. Talbot went to war in France, where in 1429 he was defeated at Orleans by none other than Joan of Arc. He was taken prisoner, released and went on fighting the French until 1453.
He was known as 'the scourge of France' or 'the whip of the French', and Shakespeare wrote of this notorious man in Henry VI: 'Is this the Talbot so much feared abroad/That with his name the mothers still their babes?'. Talbot Castle was owned in the early 18th century by Esther 'Stella'…
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St Mary's Abbey
Across the River Boyne from the castle are the ruins of the 12th-century Augustinian St Mary's Abbey, rebuilt after a fire in 1368 and once home to a wooden statue of Our Lady of Trim, which was revered by the faithful for its miraculous powers. In 1649 Cromwell's soldiers set fire to the statue in front of their injured commander, General Croot, a rather poignant slap in the face of Catholic belief. Just in case the locals didn't get the symbolism of the gesture, the soldiers destroyed the abbey as well. An artists' rendition of the statue is by the roadside in front of the ruins.
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parish church of Newtown Clonbun
About 1.5km east of town on Lackanash Rd, Newtown Cemetery contains an interesting group of ruins. What had been the parish church of Newtown Clonbun contains the late-16th-century tomb of Sir Luke Dillon, chief baron of the Exchequer during the reign of Elizabeth I, and his wife Lady Jane Bathe. The effigies are known locally as the Jealous Man and Woman, perhaps because of the sword lying between them.
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Trim Castle
This remarkably preserved edifice was Ireland's largest Anglo-Norman fortification and is proof of Trim's medieval importance. Hugh de Lacy founded Trim Castle in 1173, but Rory O'Connor, said to have been the last high king of Ireland, destroyed this motte and bailey within a year. The building you see today was begun around 1200 and has hardly been modified since.
Throughout Anglo-Norman times the castle occupied a strategic position on the western edge of the Pale, the area where the Anglo-Normans ruled supreme; beyond Trim was the volatile country where Irish chieftains and lords fought with their Norman rivals and vied for position, power and terrain. By the 16th…
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Crutched Friary
Southeast of Newtown Abbey and the Cathdral of Sts Peter and Paul ruins, and just over the river, is the Crutched Friary. There are ruins of a keep, and traces of a watchtower and other buildings from a hospital set up after the Crusades by the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, who wore a red crutch (cross), on their cassocks.
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Brogan’s Beacon
This popular restaurant serves country-style comfort food for adoring locals. The menu is fairly predictable with hearty chicken, salmon and pasta dishes, the odd risotto and the usual array of steaks and burgers. It won’t win any awards, but may just satisfy a niggling craving. There’s also a bar menu for lighter snacks.
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Sheep Gate
Part of the 14th-century town wall stands in the field to the east of the abbey, including the Sheep Gate, the lone survivor of the town's original five gates. It used to be closed daily between 21:00 and 04:00, and a toll was charged for sheep entering to be sold at market.
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Cathedral of Sts Peter and Paul
Ruins at Newtown Cemetery include Newtown's Cathedral of Sts Peter and Paul. The cathedral was founded in 1206 and burned down two centuries later. Parts of the cathedral wall were flattened by a storm in 1839, which also damaged sections of the Trim Castle wall.
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Sally Rogers
Pop in here (below Wau Asian) for a drink overlooking the river.
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La Scala
Contemporary La Scala serves timeless, classic Italian food: porcini mushroom and truffle risotto, frittura mista with sea bass, tiger prawns and squid, and chicken breast with ham and mozzarella, as well as a wide range of pastas.
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Yellow Steeple
Just northwest of the St Mary's Abbey building is the 40m Yellow Steeple, once the bell tower of the abbey, dating from 1368 but damaged by Cromwell's soldiers in 1649. It takes its name from the colour of the stonework at dusk.
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Trim Heritage Centre
Sharing space in the town hall with the tourist office is the informative Trim Heritage Centre, where you can watch a 20-minute video outlining the medieval history of Trim. There’s a coffee shop here, too.
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Marcy Regan's
This small, traditional pub beside St Peter's Bridge claims to be Ireland's second oldest. It's a no- frills kind of place just steeped in old-world atmosphere. There's often a trad music session on Friday nights.
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Wau Asian
Extensive Chinese, Malaysian, Indonesian and Thai dishes. Afterwards, pop into the Sally Rodgers pub below.
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Silver Swan Cafe
For a simple snack or cake and a coffee, head to this bright and cosy cafe in the centre of town. You’ll also get a range of soups and sandwiches as well as more hearty but predictable mains.
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Franzini O'Brien's
Buzzing local favourite, with a casual atmosphere and an eclectic menu spanning nachos to teriyaki chicken with noodles, and duck wontons.
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St Patrick's Church
Almost everything commercial in Trim is on or near Market St. That huge steeple you see just south belongs to St Patrick's Church, parts of which date to the 15th century.
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Meath Heritage Centre
The Meath Heritage Centre has an extensive genealogical database for people trying to trace Meath ancestors. Write in advance for the best results.
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Egos Lunch Club
Boast about your accomplishments at this bright and open modern café. It has a full coffee bar and a long menu of hot specials, sandwiches and salads.
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Watson's Elementary Café
You don't have to be a Sherlock to find this quality café with solid renditions of standards ranging from omelettes to shepherd's pie.
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Newtown Abbey
Ruins at Newtown Cemetery include the 18th-century Newtown Abbey (Abbey of the Canons Regular of St Victor of Paris).
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Country Cycles
If you fancy stretching your legs to see the sights, Country Cycles has a variety of bikes for hire.
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St Peter's Bridge
St Peter's Bridge, beside the Crutched friary, is said to be the second-oldest bridge in Ireland.
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Echo Gate
The abbey wall throws a superb echo back to Echo Gate across the river.
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Wellington Column
The local burghers dedicated this column to Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, in recognition of his impressive career: after defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo, the Iron Duke went on to become prime minister of Great Britain and in 1829 passed the Catholic Emancipation Act, repealing the last of the repressive penal laws.
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