Many visitors of Ireland are going into the south, see the Connemara Coast, Dublin and – if they ever enter to County Meath – than they see New Grange. It was one of the last places I visited in Ireland. I preferred to visit the heart of the island’s story: Tara. And another hill just opposite that was another important place during the time of Saint Patrick: the hill of Scryne.
The hill is situated a little higher than Tara and easily to see from everywhere in the flat lands of the county. Once upon the time there was a little monastery where the shrine of Saint Columcill was conserved around 875. They thought it more secure from robbery by invaders. But got lost nevertheless in 1027 and brought back a little later.
A 150 years later the land was given to Adam de Fajpo who built a new church in the place of the old one. The place originally was called ‘Achall’ but was re-named later after the shrine = Scryne.
The rests of the church we can visit today are from the 15th century. The walls are still the original ones.
To get on the grounds I have to climb a few stairs at the surrounding walls. Around the church there is a graveyard with crosses, Celtic crosses and headstones of different periods.
The white and lonely standing column has a beautiful leave-work around.
The view from here is amazing, especially early in the morning when still there is the mist lying on the flat lands of County Meath.
On the left there is an entrance with a relief of a monk which could be also showing Saint Columcill. At the head of the church (west side) there is the bell-tower which is closed by a gate. Inside there is a baptismal font, a headstone and a tomb-slap.
Before leaving I go up the stairs on the opposite side of the bell-tower and have an amazing view over the countryside.
The O’Connell Pub near to the sight is closed. Recently the owner lady has died, as a friend told me. The Pub went famous because of a Guinness advertisement many years ago.
Screene is a peaceful place today, where you have an amazing view but there you can contemplate as well.
Hill of Scryne, County Meath/Ireland
For further information:
Navan’s history on: the Hill of Scryne
