Navan (An Uaimh, "The Cave") lies in undulating country northwest of Dublin, at the junction of the River Boyne and the Blackwater. The largest town in Meath county, it is a busy market center and an important road junction.
The Roman Catholic church (1836) has a fine figure of Christ Crucified (1792) by Edward Smythe. West of the town is a large motte which is a favorite viewpoint.
6mi/10km south of Navan, beyond the village of Bective (on the R161, to the left), are the ruins of Bective Abbey (12th C; National Monument), a Cistercian house founded from Mellifont. Of the original buildings there remain only the chapter house and some parts of the church. In the 15th C. the monastery was fortified, and from this period date the beautiful cloister and the tower and the great hall (refectory?).
From Rathmore the N51, just before reaching Athboy, comes to the Hill of Ward (384ft/117m; National Monument), an ancient cult site and meeting place, which can be seen to the left.
7.5mi/12km west of Navan on the N51 Rathmore has a ruined 15th C. church (National Monument). The nave and chancel are flanked by towers, and the outside of the fine east window has figural decoration. The interior has fine carving in the apse, on a number of tombs and on a font. On the north side of the church is a cross (1519) with reliefs of St Lawrence, St Patrick and an abbess.
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