The tours will take place on Friday mornings from March 15 to September 27, excluding Good Friday, March 29, with three tours each Friday morning at 10.00, 10.45, and 11.30am. Each tour is 30 minutes and affords amazing views across the North Meath landscape. Online booking is essential at www.discoverboynevalley.ie as places are limited to 8.
Located just outside Kells in the grounds of the People’s Park, the Spire of Lloyd is Ireland’s only inland lighthouse with a 164 narrow step spiral staircase! From the top of the Spire, visitors see fantastic views of the surrounding countryside. From the Spire, one can see as far as the Mourne Mountains on a clear day.
The Spire was designed by Henry Aaron Baker (designer of the King’s Inn, Dublin) for Thomas Taylour, First Earl of Bective, in 1791. It was also considered a symbol of Lord Headfort’s wealth and power. The plaque displayed on the east side of the Spire carries the Headfort Coat of Arms with the family crest – Consequitur quodquinque petit (He follows what he seeks).
Steeped in myth and folklore, the Spire stands on the site of an Iron Age ring fort, but evidence is mounting to show that the site dates further back to the Bronze Age. The legendary Queen Maeve (Maedbh) was said to have stayed there with her armies on her way to steal Ulster's prize stud bull in the story of Táin Bó Cúailnge ("The Cattle Raid of Cooley").
The Spire also provided work during the time of a local famine and is said to have been used to view horse racing and the hunt in the 19th century (although the Kells racecourse itself wasn’t built until after the tower).
Speaking about the tours, Michele Whelan, Tourism Officer for Discover Boyne Valley, said, “We are delighted to be commencing guided tours of The Spire of Lloyd from March – September. The fascinating history of the Spire means that we expect this will be a very popular attraction in the coming months. The online booking system is open now, and the first tours will open to the public on March 15. We recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment as places will fill up fast!”
Visit www.discoverboynevalley.ie/whats-on/spire-lloyd-guided-tours-2024 to book your place.