Welcome to Slane

Slane is a special, small town in County Meath, Ireland. This place is filled with exciting stories from a long time ago. One important thing that happened here was the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. This was a big fight between two kings, King James II and King William III. It was like a scene from a movie with soldiers, horses, and even cannons. Even though it was scary, this battle helped shape Ireland's history.

Have you heard about the Hill of Slane? It's a famous hill in this town where St. Patrick, Ireland's patron saint, lit a Paschal fire. This fire was very important because it marked the beginning of Christianity in Ireland.

Slane is also known for its beautiful castle - Slane Castle, which is more than 300 years old! It's not just a castle; it's also a place where big concerts happen. Famous musicians like U2 and Madonna have performed here.

So, Slane may look like a small town, but it has a big story to tell. It's a place where kings, saints, and rock stars have all made history.

  1. What important event happened in Slane in 1690?
  2. Who lit a Paschal fire on the Hill of Slane and why was it important?
  3. What is special about Slane Castle?
  4. Why do you think the Battle of the Boyne was like a scene from a movie? Use details from the text to explain your answer.
  5. If you could meet either King James II, St. Patrick or a musician who performed at Slane Castle, who would you choose and why?

All About Slane

Slane is a beautiful village in County Meath, Ireland. It's like a large green playground, filled with magical places to explore. The River Boyne flows gracefully beside the village, it's a big river that's home to many fish and ducks.

One of the most famous places in Slane is the Hill of Slane. It's a big hill where St Patrick lit a special Easter fire long ago. There's not a mountain in Slane, but the hill is a great place for climbing and looking at the view.

The village has pretty streets with old, interesting buildings. There's also a huge, old castle called Slane Castle that looks like it's straight out of a fairy tale.

The area around Slane is full of wonderful animals and plants. You might see rabbits hopping around or birds singing in the trees. In the spring, beautiful flowers bloom everywhere, making Slane look like a colourful painting.

In Slane, you'll find lots of lovely old lampposts lighting the streets and cosy benches where you can sit and enjoy the surroundings. Slane is a wonderful place, full of history, nature and fun places to visit.

  1. What famous event is associated with the Hill of Slane and who was involved?
  2. Describe the River Boyne and its importance to the village of Slane.
  3. Using a map, can you identify the location of Slane Castle in relation to the River Boyne?
  4. What kind of wildlife can you expect to see in and around Slane?
  5. Explore the area around Slane village. Can you find a geographical feature not mentioned in the text? Describe what you found and why it's interesting.

My Family and Slane

Hi, I'm Sydney and I'm 8 years old! I live in the coolest place ever, Slane Co. Meath. It's in Ireland, if you didn't know. My favourite place here is the Hill of Slane. It's this big hill and you can see almost everything from the top. There's an old ruin of a church there too. It's pretty cool to think people built it so long ago!

We also have Slane Castle nearby. My parents took me there once for a concert. The music was too loud but I loved seeing the castle. I feel like a prince/princess whenever I see it. Oh, and there's also the River Boyne. It’s not just a river but a place where history happened. It’s great for fishing and boat trips too.

I love living in Slane Co. Meath because there's so much to see and do. It's a great place for adventures, and I can't wait to grow up here and learn more about it!

  1. Who is the author of this blog post?
  2. What are some landmarks mentioned by Sydney?
  3. How does Sydney feel about living in Slane Co. Meath?
  4. Why does Sydney like the Hill of Slane?
  5. Can you recall a moment Sydney shared about visiting Slane Castle?

The Logainm of Slane

Slane is a village in County Meath, Ireland. In Irish, it's called "Baile Shláine". The name Slane means "health" in English. The village is known for its rich history. Long time ago, it was home to an ancient saint named Saint Patrick. It is said that Saint Patrick lit a Paschal fire on a hill in Slane. This was a very brave act because he did it at the same time the High King was lighting his own fire. The king's laws said no one else's fire should be seen before his. But Saint Patrick did it to show the people about Christianity.

Today, Slane is famous for Slane Castle which hosts big concerts. Some of the world's most famous musicians have played here. Everytime a concert happens, it reminds us of the brave act of Saint Patrick. We can say, the light from his fire still shines today in the form of these concerts.

  1. What does the name 'Slane' mean in English?
  2. Who was Saint Patrick and what brave act did he do in Slane?
  3. What is Slane famous for today?
  4. How does the story of Saint Patrick link to what happens in Slane today?
  5. Why was Saint Patrick lighting the Paschal fire a brave act?

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