More than a pit stop – ‘Tidiest Towns’ winner Trim

There is something so beautiful about stopping by at towns, villages or even chai stops whilst on the way to somewhere. Somewhere nice, or desired.

Small towns may not be particularly big on tourist attractions or even popular with tourists so to speak, but I believe that they are a story in themselves, and not merely a much-needed comma in a sentence. We make a pit stop or two whilst travelling, and it has always led to interesting experiences. Like the gentlest dog we encountered on our way back from Chikmagalur.

Similarly, we had a lovely time when we stopped by at Trim, Co. Meath whilst on our way to Donegal this past June. We were spending a few days in Donegal to celebrate my birthday and our anniversary which also falls in June. On our way, we decided to take a break at Trim. And then, in November, I read the news that Trim was the overall winner for Ireland’s Tidiest Town 2022. I happily wrote a piece about it for work, but for this blog, I want to tell you a little more about Trim.

When we first arrived at Trim, we took in the castle. Now, since it’s Ireland and castles are everywhere, people may get bored of seeing yet another castle, and it’s understandable. But we weren’t bored. We would have taken the guided tour but one tour had already began and another one was more than an hour or so away. So we wandered at our own pace, reading the plaques, taking a few photographs. Letting our imaginations taking us to times when the castle was in use, when people, horses, sheep and other animals called it their home.

Trim Castle may not be the most popular or sought after castle, but it’s certainly an important one. It’s one of the largest Anglo Norman castle and one of the shooting locations for the movie Braveheart.

We gave it a good half an hour. We then went to the bridge over the river Boyne. Known as the ‘Old Bridge’ it has been, and continues to be a working bridge since 1393. Making it one of the oldest bridges in Ireland. I stood there for a moment and fascinated by how the marigold placed itself in the frame, took some photographs. I let the marigold take the centre stage, and the bridge is a blur in my photograph here.

Also noticed a fish sculpture, and it turned out that it had a fascinating story. Known as the ‘Hunger for Knowledge’ sculpture, it takes its inspiration from Irish mythology. So the story goes that it was on the River Boyne, some 50 metres from this statue, that Fionn accidentally tasted of the Salmon of Knowledge. He was cooking it for his master who had warned him not to taste it. But Fionn burned his finger as he cooked the fish, sucked on it to ease the pain and tasted the salmon. Thus acquiring all the knowledge and wisdom of the world! If you are intrigued, here’s more detail about this fascinating Irish tale.

We also took a leisurely walk, taking in the views of the castle from different points, visiting St Mary’s Abbey, the yellow Steeple (or what remains of it), and a nice lush green and yellow meadow.

Look at the pictures? Don’t small towns have their own personalities? Even if they aren’t as green, pretty or tidy as Trim? I would any day take a pit stop, no matter where we are – a dusty little village in India, revelling in its ‘there’s nothing to do here’ or a town or village in Ireland, or England. Would you?