Slane in County Meath, Leinster, Ireland — Mid-East (and Dublin)
Saint Patrick on the Hill of Slane
April 7, 2009
1. Saint Patrick on the Hill of Slane Marker
Long established tradition tells that St. Patrick lit the Easter Fire on this Hill of Slane in 433. In doing so, he unwittingly disobeyed King Laoghaire at nearby Tara.
The inevitable confrontation had a happy outcome: Laoghaire's druid, Erk, became a Christian (later, first Bishop of Slane) and the King was pacified.
The Easter Fire is still lighted, each year, on the Hill of Slane.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Charity & Public Work • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 53° 43.026′ N, 6° 32.561′ W. Marker is in Slane, Leinster, in County Meath. It can be reached from no nearby street. Marker is in front of a statue of Saint Patrick on the grounds of the Slane Abbey ruins. The site is off Abbey View, which intersects Chapel Street (National Route 2) about 0.3 miles north of Slane village. Touch for map. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Leinster’s Boyne Valley. It is also in Ancient East. Globally, it is in the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, on the Island of Ireland, on the Celtic Fringe, in the European Union, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Slane Abbey (a few steps from this marker); Knowth / Cnogbha (approx. 3.8 kilometers away); The Woodhenge/Pit circle / The Winter Soltice (approx. 5.2 kilometers away); Donaghmore Church and Round Tower
this page online
April 7, 2009
2. Saint Patrick Statue on the Hill of Slane
April 7, 2009
3. Slane Abbey Ruins
Saint Patrick statue behind gate. Slane Abbey marker to right of gate.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,042 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 17, 2009.
