Welcome to Dunboyne

Dunboyne is a special townland in County Meath, Ireland. Its name comes from the Irish words 'Dún Búinne' which means 'Búinne's fortress'. Isn't that cool?

A long time ago, around the 12th century, a group of people called the Normans came to Dunboyne. They built a big, strong castle there. The castle was like their fortress, where they could stay safe. Just imagine living in a castle, wouldn't that be exciting?

The townland has a long and rich history of farming. People have been growing crops and taking care of animals there for hundreds of years. In the past, people in Dunboyne also made things from wool, like warm sweaters and blankets.

In Dunboyne, there's also a very old church called St. Peter's. It has been there for over 200 years! People from all over come to visit and admire this beautiful church.

So, even though there might not be any dragons or knights in shining armor, Dunboyne has its own interesting stories and has seen a lot of history. It's a place where people have lived, worked, and built things for a very long time.

  1. What does 'Dún Búinne' mean in English?
  2. Who built the castle in Dunboyne and when did they come?
  3. What is the name of the very old church in Dunboyne?
  4. Why do you think the castle was important to the Normans?
  5. What can you tell about the lifestyle of people in Dunboyne hundreds of years ago based on the text?

All About Dunboyne

Dunboyne is a special place in County Meath, Ireland. It's not too big, not too small, just perfect! Imagine a picture of lovely green fields, a lively village and lots of friendly people.

In the heart of Dunboyne, you'll find the Main Street. This is like the village's backbone, full of colourful shops, cafes, and even a cool castle hotel! Don't forget to look out for the old-style street lamps and benches where you can sit and enjoy an ice-cream.

The nature in Dunboyne is beautiful too. There are lots of trees, flowers, and animals. You might spot squirrels scampering around or birds tweeting in the trees. If you're lucky, you might even see a fox or a badger!

Dunboyne is also home to a magical river called the Tolka. It's not a big river, but it's very important. It gives water to the plants and is home to ducks and fishes. And if you follow the river, it will lead you to a lovely park called Dunboyne Castle Park.

No mountains here, but the beautiful Irish countryside is all around. You can go for a walk, cycle, or even have a picnic. Dunboyne is a wonderful place to explore, don't you think?.

  1. What kinds of shops and amenities can you find on Main Street in Dunboyne?
  2. Describe the nature in Dunboyne. What types of animals might you see?
  3. Why is the Tolka River important to Dunboyne?
  4. Using a map of Dunboyne, can you identify the route of the Tolka River and the location of Dunboyne Castle Park?
  5. Go for a walk or cycle around Dunboyne. Can you find a geographical feature not mentioned in the text? Describe what you found.

My Family and Dunboyne

Hi! My name is Kelly and I am 8 years old. I live in a really fun place called Dunboyne, in Co. Meath. It's super cool here!

One of the best places ever is our local park. It's called Dunboyne Park. I love going to the park with my friends after school. We play football and sometimes we just run around or climb on the jungle gym until it's time to go home. It's so much fun!

There's also this big, old castle nearby called Dunboyne Castle. Sometimes, my teacher tells us stories about how it used to be a home for kings and queens a long, long time ago. I wonder what it would be like to live in a castle!

Right next to our school, there's this beautiful church, St. Peter and Paul's Church. It has a tall steeple that you can see from almost everywhere in Dunboyne. It's really pretty!

It's really great growing up in Dunboyne. There's always something exciting to do or a new place to explore. Can't wait to tell you more about my adventures!

  1. What is Kelly's favorite activity to do at Dunboyne Park?
  2. What does Kelly wonder about when thinking of Dunboyne Castle?
  3. What is the name of the church near Kelly's school?
  4. Describe what Kelly thinks about living in Dunboyne.
  5. What does Kelly look forward to sharing in the future?

The Logainm of Dunboyne

Dunboyne is a place in County Meath, Ireland. Its name in Irish is "Dún Búinne" which means "Búinne's fort". The name comes from an ancient story about a lady warrior named Búinne. She was the daughter of a king and was known for her courage and strength. Búinne had her own fort, and that's how Dunboyne got its name!

Long, long ago, Búinne lived in her fort, fighting off invaders and protecting her people. She was a hero and is remembered even today through the name of the place, Dunboyne. Isn't it amazing how names can tell us stories from the past?

Today, Dunboyne is a bustling town with schools, shops, and homes. But every time someone says "Dunboyne", they're also remembering Búinne, the brave lady warrior. So, we can see that the past is always connected to the present in some way!

  1. What does "Dún Búinne" mean in English?
  2. Who was Búinne?
  3. Why is Dunboyne named after Búinne?
  4. How does the name of Dunboyne connect the past to the present?
  5. Can you think of another place name that might have a story behind it?

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