Abstract

On the final Sunday of last September, as we watched with mounting excitement while the Meath team forged a great All Ireland victory in the electric atmosphere of Croke Park, we all experienced a more vital sense of our own place. Sean Boylan's team exemplified skill, spirit and resolve in the face of redoutable Cork opposition, and against the inescapable tyranny of time. Drawing upon deep reserves of stamina and solidarity, the footballers reached resolutely beyond the bounds of commonplace limitation. They drew us with them, into a more liberating perception of what is possible. They expanded our sense of inner space: our familiar Meath landscape was infused with a new dimension of vision. The team showed us graphically how people can confront stern challenge and prevail. The result was justly celebrated, in a joyously enhanced sense of identity and place.Small Meath villages like Carnaross, Dunderry and Kilmainhamwood flashed suddenly into national prominence, renowned countrywide now as famous landmarks, places hospitality to high aspiration and courageous endeavour. Close to three hundred years ago, Turlough O'Carolan also evoked a sense of another notable Meath landmark when, on a return visit to his native area, he composed a fine song in praise of Eleanor Plunkett of Robertstown, near Nobber.