The River Boyne

River Boyne

The River Boyne rises in Carbury Bog, County Kildare. It then flows northeast for 70 miles (112 kilometers) through County Meath. After that, it enters the Irish Sea between Mornington, County Meath and Baltray, County Louth. The Boyne Valley sits at the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East. So heritage runs along the banks. The UNESCO World Heritage passage tombs at Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth stand between Slane and Drogheda.

Trinity Well and the River Boyne, Carbury, Co. Kildare

The Boyne Source

Tradition links the source to Trinity Well in Carbury, County Kildare. However, the river actually rises in Carbury Bog. It then passes the well. Water from Trinity Well may still add to the young stream. Because of that, storytellers prefer a sacred well to a bog.

Boyne Valley Heritage

The River Boyne carries a long mix of history, archaeology and myth. The Battle of the Boyne took place near Drogheda in 1690. That fight was a turning point in the Williamite war in Ireland.

The river also passes Trim Castle and the Hill of Tara, once the seat of the High Kings. Then it runs by Navan, Ardmulchan and the Hill of Slane. Next come the ancient temples at Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. Mellifont Abbey, founded in the 12th century, sits nearby. Medieval Drogheda stands close to the mouth.

The wider valley holds still more. For example, Fourknocks, the cairns at Loughcrew and the Celtic crosses at Monasterboice all lie within easy reach.

Knowth Megalithic Passage Tomb and the River Boyne | Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site

Newgrange Megalithic Passage Tomb | Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site

Dowth Megalithic Passage Tomb | Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site

River Boyne mythical origins

The River Boyne takes its name from the Celtic goddess Bóann, also called Bóand. A magic well, the Well of Wisdom or Tobar Segais, belonged to Nechtain, King of Leinster. He was her husband. He guarded the well closely. Only he and his three cup-bearers could go there.

One day Bóann went to see it for herself. Some say she walked around it three times against the sun. Others say she only looked in. Then the water rose. It blinded, mutilated and drowned the goddess. After that, the flood rushed seaward and became a river.

The Salmon of Knowledge

The Salmon of Knowledge, An Bradán Feasa in Irish, belongs to the Fenian Cycle. It appears in The Boyhood Deeds of Fionn. That tale covers the early life of Fionn Mac Cumhaill.

Irish myth says a hazel tree was the first thing created. All knowledge sat in its branches. The tree stood over the Well of Wisdom. A great speckled salmon lived in that well. It ate hazelnuts that fell in. Because of that, it gained all the wisdom of the universe.

A prophecy said the first person to catch and eat the salmon would gain that knowledge. The chosen man would be named Fionn. Many tried. However, they failed. Then the poet Finnegas fished the Boyne for seven years and caught it. Tradition places the catch at Féc’s Pool, Linn Féic, near Slane, County Meath. People also call it the Pool of the Boyne.

Finnegas told his apprentice, a boy named Deimne Maol, to cook the fish. Deimne burned his thumb on a blister. He put the thumb in his mouth to ease the pain. In that instant he gained the knowledge. When he brought the meal to Finnegas, the poet saw a change in the boy’s eyes. Deimne first denied that he had eaten any. Then he admitted the accidental taste.

The old poet did not know Deimne had another name. His mother called him Fionn, her fair-haired one. That wisdom later made Fionn Mac Cumhaill leader of the Fianna. He was killed at Áth Brea, the Ford of Brea, on the Boyne.

The River Boyne and Dunmoe Castle viewed from Ardmulchan Church

The Boyne Navigation

The Boyne Navigation is a series of canals. They run roughly parallel to the river from Oldbridge near Drogheda to Navan. An Taisce owns the navigation. The Inland Waterways Association of Ireland is restoring it. They restored the Oldbridge canal first. It runs through the Battle of the Boyne site.

The Boyne Canal at Rossnaree

Fishing

The River Boyne is known for brown trout. It also has runs of salmon and sea trout, especially in summer.

Salmon

The best salmon water lies between Drogheda and Navan. Fish also turn up in smaller numbers above Navan, at Bective and Trim.

The salmon run usually starts in early March. It then lasts until the end of May. Most of the effort is around Navan and downstream toward Slane. In the past, large winter fish of 20 to 30 pounds ran the river. That run has faded. Most spring fish now average about 10 pounds. Notable spring spots include The Ramparts and Sophie’s Island.

Swans flying above the River Boyne at Rossnaree

Grilse are salmon that return after one winter at sea. They start in July and run through the end of August. The best grilse water is from Oldbridge up to Slane. Prime lies include Oldbridge, Staleen, Crewbawn, Johnstons and the Scabby Arch. In addition, the stretch from Slane to Navan also yields a decent number each year.

Autumn fish run in August and September. Some weigh more than 20 pounds. In low water they can stack up below Slane. Then each flood can give good fishing as far as Navan.

Sea Trout

Sea trout start in late April. They then run through the end of September. June and July are the peak. Oldbridge is the most reliable stretch. However, fish can turn up as far upstream as Navan. The water below the Obelisk Bridge in Drogheda is also good. Average weight is about 1.5 pounds. Fish of up to 5 pounds turn up at times. Night fly fishing is the most productive method. Boyne sea trout also feed on river insects on summer evenings. Heavy hatches of Blue Winged Olives and sedges help.

Brown Trout

The River Boyne is a strong brown trout fishery. Average size is under 1 pound. Specimens of 6 or 7 pounds also turn up. It is a limestone river. Hatches include olives, sedges and the mayfly Ephemera danica. Good spots include Navan, Kilcairn, Blackcastle, Dunmoe and Stackallen. Downstream of Slane, try the Scabby Arch, Crewbawn, Johnstons, Rossnaree and Staleen.

More fishing information

Visit the River Boyne with Boyne Valley Tours

Enjoy a private day tour from Dublin to the Boyne Valley. We tailor the itinerary to your interests and handle the driving and logistics. The OPW-guided visit from the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Center includes Newgrange and Knowth. Afterwards, continue to the Hill of Slane and the Hill of Tara. Because this is a private tour, you can choose other sites instead.

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