A Guide To Bettystown In Meath: Things To Do, Food, Pubs + Hotels

If you’re wondering where to stay in Meath while you explore the county, Bettystown is well worth considering.

This lively coastal town is a stone’s throw from many of the the best things to do in Meath, and it’s a short distance from most of Louth’s top attractions, too.

However, although it comes alive during the summer months, it’s a great option for a winter break, too, if you’d like a break by the sea.

Below, you’ll find everything for things to do in Bettystown to where to eat, sleep and drink. Dive on in!

Some quick need-to-knows before visiting Bettystown in Meath

Although a visit to Bettystown is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location

Bettystown is situated on the east coast of County Meath. It’s a 20-minute drive from Drogheda, a 20-minute drive from Slane and a 35-minute drive from Dublin Airport.

2. A lively seaside town

Bettystown is finely plonked next to the beautiful Bettystown Beach. The town comes alive during the summer months, in particular, when people from Meath, Dublin and Louth flock to its beach.

3. A good base to explore Meath from

Bettystown is a great base to explore Meath from, and it has many of the main attractions in the Boyne Valley right on its doorstep, like Brú na Bóinne, Trim Castle and Bective Abbey. 

About Bettystown

Bettystown, previously known as ‘Betaghstown’ is a little seaside town that’s most notable for its proximity to severl beaches.

However, that’s not its only claim to fame. The town became popular amongst archaeologists in 1850 when a Celtic brooch, dating back to 710-750 AD, was found on its shores.

This brooch is a wonderful example of Viking crafting skills as its elaborately decorated with fine gold filigree panels and studs of enamel, amber and glass.

Now known as the Tara Brooch, you can find it in the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin, where it’s currently on display.

Things to do in Bettystown (and nearby)

Although there’s only a couple of things to do in Bettystown, there’s endless places to visit nearby.

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to do in the town and heaps of attractions a short spin away.

1. Grab something tasty at from Relish Cafe

Relish Cafe is the perfect starting point for your visit to Bettystown. If you arrive on a fine day, try and nab a seat in the outdoor terrace.

On the menu at Relish, you’ll find everything from a hearty full Irish breakfast and tasty smoothies to their indulgent French Toast.

2. Then head for a ramble along Bettystown Beach

After big aul feed, it’s time to head for a saunter along the sand. Bettystown Beach is hard to miss and it’s a fine spot for an early morning ramble.

If you’re visiting during the summer months, it can get pretty packed here, so keep that in mind.

We’d advise that you avoid the beach late in the evening during the summer months, as there’s been a lot of anti-social behaviour here in years past.

3. Or take the short spin along the coast to Mornington Beach

Mornington beach is one of the most overlooked beaches in Meath, and it’s a handy 5-minute drive from Bettystown.

The beach here is a lot quieter than Bettystown and there’s a nice long stretch of sand for you to saunter along. If you fancy, you can walk straight here from Bettystown!

When you visit, keep an eye out for the Maiden Tower and the oddly shaped Lady’s Finger.

4. Spend a rainy day at Funtasia

If you’re looking for things to do in Bettystown with kids, take them to Funtasia where there’s something to keep young and old alike occupied.

At Funtasia, you’ll find everything from minigolf and climbing to bowling the Pirates Cove Waterpark and plenty more.

Prices differ based on the chosen activities. For instance, access to the waterpark will cost you €15.00 per person while a game of minigolf is €7.50. 

5. And a sunny one discovering one of the oldest towns in Ireland

You’ll find Drogheda a short, 20-minute drive from Bettystown. This is one of the oldest towns in Ireland and it’s well worth a visit.

There’s plenty of things to do in Drogheda, from the Magdalene Tower, St. Laurence Gate, Highlanes Gallery and the Millmount Museum.

There’s some mighty old-school pubs in Drogheda, too, along with some great places to eat.

6. Spend a day tackling the Boyne Valley Drive

If you’re in the mood for a road trip, give the Boyne Valley Drive a lash. This route will take you to many of Meath and Louth’s most popular attractions.

You will see wonderful towns such as Trim, Drogheda, Kells and Navan and you will be able to explore ancient sites such as Brú na Bóinne, the Anglo-Norman Trim Castle and Kells High Crosses. 

7. Or head for a ramble along the Boyne Valley Camino

The Boyne Valley Camino is one of the most popular long-distance walks in Meath. This walking route is 15.5 miles (25 km) long and it will take you between 6 and 8 to complete.

The trail starts in Drogheda and passes through picturesque villages, ancient heritage sites and dense forests. Throughout this walk, you will see the beautiful Townley Hall Woods, the sites of Mellifont Abbey and Oldbridge House and walk through the streets of Tullyallen village.

Restaurants in Bettystown

There’s only a couple of places to eat in Bettystown, which can be a problem during the busy summer months. Here are a couple of our favourite spots.

1. Chans Bettystown

Chans is situated in the heart of Bettystown and it’s open seven days a week from 4 pm to 11 pm. Here you will find a variety of dishes from noodles, pad thai, udon (thick noodles), fried rice and omelettes. Some of the signature dishes include seafood fried rice, Singapore chow mein and special udon, served with chicken, beef, pork and prawns.

2. Bistro Bt

Bistro Bt is another handy option for food in the town. It has a nice outdoor space where you can sip a coffee while gazing out at the Irish Sea. One of its signature dishes is the BT house burger (a burger topped with onion, red cheddar and chilli mayo served with a side of fries). Prices range from €9 to €14 for a main dish and €5 to €10 for breakfast. 

Pubs in Bettystown

There’s a handful of lively pubs in Bettystown for those of you that fancy kicking-back with a drink after a day spent exploring.

1. McDonough’s Bar

It’s hard to miss McDonough’s Bar – just keep an eye out for the thatch roof and you’ll find it right next to it. Inside, you’ll find an old shcool bar with plenty of wooden panelling. There’s also a bit of seating outside, for those fine days.

2. Reddans Bar and B&B

You’ll find Reddans Bar right next to the sea. The biggest draw of this place is the live music sessions that it holds on certain nights during the week. You’ll get a decent bit of grub here, too!

Accommodation in Bettystown

So, there isn’t a huge number of places to stay in Bettystown, but there are a couple of solid options for those of you looking to stay in the town.

Note: if you book a stay through one of the links below we may make a tiny commission that helps us keep this site going. You won’t pay extra, but we really do appreciate it.

1. The Village Hotel

The Village Hotel is an award-winning hotel situated in the heart of Bettystown. Here you can choose from three different types of rooms: a double room, triple room or family room. The Village Hotel is also home to a gastropub and a restaurant.

2. Reddans of Bettystown Luxury Bed & Breakfast 

Reddans Luxury B&B has been welcoming people for over 140 years! This B&B is situated on Coast Road and faces the sea. Some of the rooms have a great view of the Irish sea and breakfast is included in the price. 

FAQs about visiting Bettystown in Meath

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Is Bettystown safe?’ to ‘Where is there to eat?’.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.