Rossnaree History 

Rossnaree is an integral part of the ancient Boyne Valley's physiographic history. Standing on a hill above the River Boyne that drifts towards the Irish Sea, Rossnaree has unrivalled views of the megalithic passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth, Ireland's most important archaeological legacy and the most ancient man-made site in existence. Newgrange (c 3,200 B.C.) is the best-known monument of the World Heritage Site of Bru na Boinne, predating the ancient pyramids by 400 years and Stonehenge by 1000.

In view from Rossnaree's south-facing Morning and Drawing Room, Newgrange's grassy head is camouflaged by the brilliantly green meadows, which, demarcated by rich hedgerows, give the landscape a chaste, restful loveliness.

The north side of the house looks towards The Hill of Slane, which overlooks Slane Castle. This is where St. Patrick lit his paschal fire, following which he was summoned by the High King of Tara, and Ireland was subsequently converted to Christianity. On a clear day, it is possible to see the Hill of Tara in the South West.

Down the steep path from Rossnaree to the woodland stream cutting through the glen towards the Boyne, the temperature suddenly cools beneath the dark boughs of thick trees, ferns, glittering mosses and woodland flowers. Here is where the brave Sir Neil O'Neill, commander of the Jacobite Irish troops, was wounded in the nation-changing Battle of the Boyne.

The Battle of the Boyne was one of the most important battles in Irish history at which Protestant William of Orange defeated Catholic James II and VII. An important engagement between the Jacobite Irish Troops and Williamite forces, who crossed the river under Count Meinhardt Schomberg, was accepted to have occurred at a ford at Rossnaree.