Meath park renamed Frederick Bourne Park in honour of town’s founder
Ashbourne park has been officially renamed Frederick Bourne Park after the town’s founder.
A new sign was unveiled by elected members of the Ashbourne Municipal District, Area Manager Barry Lynch, and members of the Ashbourne Historical Society to mark the renaming of Phase 1 of Ashbourne Linear Park.
The renaming coincides with Founder’s Day on March 4 and honours Frederick Bourne, the 19th‑century entrepreneur credited with founding the village that would grow into the town of Ashbourne.
Bourne was a wealthy businessman who made his fortune in roads and transport. In the early 1800s, he financed the construction of a ten‑mile section of road from Dublin to Killegland — the area that would become Ashbourne — collecting toll revenue from travellers.
To capitalise on the new route, he built an inn, a hotel and other businesses near his toll booth and established a small village. He named the settlement by combining his own name with his favourite tree, the ash, giving rise to “Ashbourne.”
Phase 1 of the Ashbourne Linear Park, completed in 2019, features a playground, an amphitheatre, and a pedestrian footbridge linking the park directly to Ashbourne town centre.
A total cost of nearly €1m was spent on the project. The park stretches from Ballybin Road to Milltown Road, offering residents a riverside walkway and a range of recreational facilities.
Meath County Council welcomed the renaming, describing it as “a wonderful moment recognising local heritage and celebrating our community’s story.”