Boyne Valley History
The route follows the old Navan-to-Kingscourt railway line, once part of the Midland Great Western Railway network. The Midland Great Western Railway Company of Ireland (MGWR) was incorporated in 1845, during the great railway boom years. Its purpose was to connect Dublin with the west of Ireland, particularly Galway, through the fertile midlands. Before its formation, various local promoters had floated smaller schemes to link Dublin to Mullingar and beyond. However, it was the MGWR company—founded by Irish investors with British financial backing—that consolidated these efforts into a coherent plan. The Irish Parliament had been dissolved by this time, so approval came via the British Parliament under the Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland Act (1845).
​
The Main Line: Dublin to Galway
Construction began in 1846, starting from Broadstone Station, which became the company’s Dublin terminus. The line reached Enfield (1847), Mullingar (1848), Athlone (1851), and finally Galway (1851). The full Dublin–Galway line was about 126 miles (203 km) long. The MGWR became the first railway to reach the Atlantic coast of Ireland. The route passed through bogland and rural areas, requiring significant engineering feats — including cuttings, embankments, and viaducts such as the Shannon bridge at Athlone, one of the first major iron railway bridges in Ireland. The line transformed travel and trade between Dublin and the western counties, stimulating towns like Mullingar, Athlone, and Ballinasloe, and allowing agricultural goods and livestock to reach Dublin markets faster.
​
The MGWR rapidly expanded its network through branch lines to reach smaller towns and rural areas. These served both passenger and freight traffic — especially livestock, turf, and minerals. The Clonsilla – Navan – Kingscourt line was added between 1862–1875 and served the Boyne Valley and gypsum works in Kingscourt.
​
At its peak, the MGWR operated over 500 miles (800 km) of track, making it the third-largest railway in Ireland (after the Great Southern & Western Railway and the Great Northern Railway. By the late 1800s, the MGWR faced increasing competition from other companies like the Great Southern & Western Railway (GS&WR), which dominated southern routes and emerging road transport in the early 20th century. Despite this, the MGWR retained profitability through its livestock traffic, mail contracts, and tourist excursions to the west (especially Connemara and Achill). However, the Irish War of Independence (1919–1921) caused major disruptions: bridges were blown up, track was sabotaged, and rolling stock destroyed.
Following Irish independence, railway consolidation was inevitable. In 1925, under the Railways Act (Saorstát Éireann), the MGWR was merged into the Great Southern Railways (GSR), along with several other Irish companies. The GSR rationalised routes, and some MGWR lines (especially rural branches) saw declining traffic or closure.
During World War II (“The Emergency”), shortages of coal and maintenance made operations difficult and many rural services were suspended.
After nationalisation in 1945, MGWR’s remaining lines became part of Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ), the national transport company. Many branch lines were closed from the 1950s–1980s due to declining passenger numbers and the rise of motor vehicles. The Navan–Kingscourt: passenger services ended in 1947; freight continued into the 2000s.​
After many years of disuse, the route from Navan to Kingscourt was developed as an outdoor amenity for cyclists, runners and walkers. Along its path, it passes through or near several villages: Wilkinstown, Castletown Kilpatrick, Nobber, and Kilmainhamwood. Each of these lends character to the route and provides access for local people.
Most of the trail is segregated and traffic-free (around 98%). This means that pedestrians, cyclists and families can use it without concern for road traffic along most of the route.
​
Gypsum and Kingspan in Kingscourt​
​
Gypsum has been part of Kingscourt’s history for well over a century, from early small-scale mining in the mid-19th century, through estate-based operations (e.g. Shirley Estate), to large-scale industrial extraction by Gyproc. The Kingscourt/Knocknacran deposit is geologically rich, with two major seams, and gypsum from the region has supplied plasterboard, agricultural, and cement sectors. Transport by rail was key historically, though since 2001 road transport has replaced many of the rail routes. Environmental and safety issues (subsidence, sinkholes, community impact) have been part of the story, leading to stricter oversight and new planning. Today, the gypsum industry remains important locally, both economically and industrially, with active mines and processing, as well as moves towards greater sustainability.
​
Kingspan Group was founded in 1965 by Eamon Loughran, an entrepreneur from the Kingscourt area. The name Kingspan is derived from the town of Kingscourt, reflecting its deep roots in the local community. The company began as a small, family-run business specializing in building materials, with a particular focus on insulation products. In the early days, Kingspan was mainly known for producing expanded polystyrene (EPS) boards, which are used in a variety of construction applications, particularly for thermal insulation. However, the company’s success was driven by its ability to innovate and expand into other areas of building technology.
​
Kingspan made a name for itself in the insulation market through continuous investment in research and development. As energy efficiency and the environmental impact of buildings became a global concern, Kingspan responded by creating more advanced insulation products.
The company developed a wide range of high-performance insulation solutions, including Kingspan Insulated Panels and Kingspan Kooltherm – a phenolic insulation product that is now regarded as one of the most efficient insulations available. These products quickly gained a reputation for their superior thermal performance, helping to improve energy efficiency in buildings around the world.
The Battle of the Boyne (1690)
​
The Battle of the Boyne took place on July 11 1690 near the River Boyne just outside Drogheda. It was part of the Williamite War in Ireland, fought between the forces of King James II of England and Ireland (a Catholic) and King William III of England (also known as William of Orange, a Protestant).
James II was the next in line to the throne after the death of Chares II. But influential English politicians and aristocrats invited William of Orange to invade England because of King James II's promotion of Roman Catholicism, which alienated many Protestants and sought to undermine their power and prestige. Ironically James II's daughter was married to King William of Orange.
​
When William landed on the English south coast with this army, James retreated rather than face the battle head on. He retreated to Ireland where he had strong support from the Irish Catholic forces.
​
The forces met at the Boyne river in County Meath in Ireland. William's army of 37,000 men was better trained and better equipped. The battle was fought near the Boyne River in Ireland, with William leading an army of approximately 37,000 soldiers against James's approximately 23,000 troops. James II retreated from the battle as he feared being outflanked and trapped by William's better-equipped army, and ultimately ordered a withdrawal to preserve his forces.
​
While significant, it was not the final battle of the war, which was ultimately decided at the Battle of Aughrim and the subsequent Treaty of Limerick. The Battle of Aughrim was fought on July 12, 1691. It was the decisive battle of the war, taking place near the village of Aughrim in County Galway.
Following his retreat at the Boyne, James II fled to France, leaving his Irish army under the command of General Patrick Sarsfield, a prominent Irish Catholic leader. The Williamite forces, led by Commander Godert de Ginkel, continued their campaign to decisively end Irish resistance. At Aughrim, the battle was fierce and bloody, with heavy casualties on both sides. The Irish forces fought bravely but were outnumbered and outmaneuvered. The Williamite forces were able to break the Irish lines after a series of well-coordinated flanking maneuvers. The battle resulted in a decisive Williamite victory.
​
The aftermath of the battle marked the collapse of the Irish resistance and James II's efforts to regain the throne and solidified Protestant dominance in Ireland.. Following Aughrim, James II's supporters retreated into County Clare, and with their eventual surrender in the Treaty of Limerick (signed in October 1691), the Williamite forces effectively secured control of Ireland. The treaty allowed Irish Catholics to maintain some religious freedom but marked the end of the Catholic-led political power in Ireland for generations.
​
The Battle of Aughrim is seen as the final blow to James II's cause and a key moment in the struggle between Protestantism and Catholicism in Ireland during the late 17th century. The battle is still remembered in Irish history, though it is often overshadowed by the more famous Battle of the Boyne.
​
The Battle of the Boyne is a significant event in Irish history and has had lasting religious and political ramifications, particularly for the Protestant-Catholic divide in Ireland. To this day, the battle is commemorated by the Protestant Orangemen in Northern Ireland, where the 12th of July is celebrated as the Orange Order's annual day.