Welcome to Ashbourne

Ashbourne is a special town located in County Meath, Ireland. It has a very interesting history that goes back many years. In fact, it's so old that it was first mentioned in records over 800 years ago!

But, Ashbourne is probably best known for something that happened in 1916, during the Easter Rising, a time when Irish people were fighting for their independence from Britain. A brave group of Irish volunteers marched from Ashbourne to Dublin, hoping to help in the fight. They were led by a man named Thomas Ashe.

When they got to a place called Rath Cross, they faced off against the police. Even though there were fewer Irish volunteers, they managed to win! This is known as the Battle of Ashbourne and is one of the most famous parts of Ashbourne's history.

Nowadays, Ashbourne is a lovely, peaceful place to live and visit, but its history reminds us of the bravery and determination of the people who lived there before us. Their spirit and courage are a big part of what makes Ashbourne special today.

  1. Can you name the man who led the Irish volunteers during the Battle of Ashbourne?
  2. What year did the Battle of Ashbourne take place?
  3. What is Ashbourne best known for?
  4. Why do you think the Irish volunteers managed to win the Battle of Ashbourne despite being fewer in number?
  5. How does the history of Ashbourne impact its present?

All About Ashbourne

Ashbourne, located in County Meath, Ireland, is a fun and fascinating place. It's like a huge outdoor classroom where you can learn lots about nature and history!

Firstly, let's talk about the streets. Ashbourne has many interesting streets like Killegland Street, which is the town's main street. Here, you'll see lots of shops and people bustling about.

Now, let's explore nature. Ashbourne is blessed with beautiful greenery. You'll find lots of plants and animals here. Have you heard of the Ash Tree? It's famous in Ashbourne. Their seeds are called 'keys' and hang in bunches. Speaking of animals, you can find playful squirrels and singing birds like robins and blackbirds in the parks.

The town is also known for the Broad Meadow River (or Broadmeadow). It's a pretty long river that flows right through Ashbourne. Don't forget to look for ducks swimming there!

One more thing, Ashbourne has a famous statue called the 'Ashbourne Clock'. It's not just a regular clock, it's a piece of street furniture that tells the time and makes the town look pretty.

Isn't Ashbourne an exciting place? There's always something to learn and discover around every corner!

  1. What is the main street of Ashbourne called?
  2. Describe the wildlife you might find in the parks of Ashbourne.
  3. What is the name of the river that flows through Ashbourne?
  4. Using a map of Ashbourne, can you find out where the 'Ashbourne Clock' is located?
  5. Take a small trip around your local area in Ashbourne. Can you find something of geographical interest? Describe what you found and why it's interesting.

My Family and Ashbourne

Hi there! I'm Harper, and I'm 8 years old. I live in a really cool place called Ashbourne in Co. Meath. It's not a big city but it's not too small either, just right for me!

My favourite thing about living here is that there's always something to do. Like, we have this big park called Milltown Park, it's great for running around and playing all sorts of games. In the summer, it's the best place to have picnics with my friends.

There's also an amazing place called Tayto Park close by. It's a theme park and zoo all in one. They have super fun rides and I love watching the animals, especially the meerkats, they're so funny!

But the coolest thing here is Ashbourne's Round Tower. It's really old, like hundreds of years old. Every time I see it, I think about all the history it has seen. It makes me feel like I'm part of something big and important.

Living in Ashbourne is awesome. There's always something to discover and I can't wait to grow up here.

  1. What is Harper's favourite thing about living in Ashbourne?
  2. Can you name one place Harper likes to visit in Ashbourne?
  3. Why does Harper think the Round Tower is cool?
  4. How does Harper feel about living in Ashbourne?
  5. What does Harper like to do at Milltown Park?

The Logainm of Ashbourne

Ashbourne is a town in County Meath, Ireland. The name 'Ashbourne' means 'stream surrounded by ash trees' in English. Ash trees are tall, leafy trees that are common in many parts of Ireland. The name probably came from the ash trees that used to grow near a stream in the town.

It's interesting to know that Ashbourne has been around for a very long time, even before it got its English name. In olden times, it was known in Irish as 'Cill Dhéagláin', which means 'Dégán's church'. Dégán was a saint who lived many, many years ago. He is remembered and celebrated in Ashbourne till today.

Nowadays, Ashbourne is a busy, bustling town with lots of people, shops, and schools. But, it still keeps a bit of its past. If you look around, you might still see some ash trees growing near streams. And, every year, the people of Ashbourne remember Saint Dégán and the old Irish name of their town. The history of Ashbourne is alive in the present day in these ways.

  1. What does the name 'Ashbourne' mean in English?
  2. What kind of trees does the name 'Ashbourne' refer to?
  3. What was Ashbourne known as in olden times, and what does that name mean in English?
  4. Who was Dégán and why is he remembered in Ashbourne?
  5. How is the history of Ashbourne kept alive in the present day?

Slideshow - Ashbourne
A full set of teaching plans for teaching about Ashbourne