5000 Year Old Building Gets New Anti-Slip Decking

Located just a few miles east of Slane in County Meath is one of Europe’s oldest man made structures. The Knowth Megalithic Passage Tomb is older than the Eygptian pyramids.

The Megalithic sites of the Boyne valley which include Knowth, Newgrange and Dowth

were designated a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1993. Artefacts including pottery and flint discovered in the surrounding area of the Great Mound of Knowth date back beyond 4000 BC. Visitors can enter the tomb through several of the great tunnels which stretch in excess of 34 metres each. The Knowth Visitor Centre was constructed approximately 10 years ago.

The Knowth Visitors Centre was surrounded by a large timber decked area. The timber decking was deemed to be too slippery when wet and represented a potential health hazard. In the interest of public safety and to reduce maintenance costs the OPW (Office of Public Works) took the decision to remove the timber decking.


Earlier this year the area was re-decked with Deck25 anti-slip low maintenance plastic composite decking. Embossed wood grain was the specified texture, Atlantic Grey was the chosen colour. The finished deck looks very natural and blends exceptionally well with the Visitors Centre and the greater Megalithic site. The new Deck will never have to be painted or treated. Deck25 decking was chosen over all other decking products on the market because it fulfilled three main requirements:

1. It has exceptional anti-slip qualities particularly when wet, the deeply embossed wood-grain texture provides excellent traction for all footwear.

2.Deck25 decking is virtually maintenance free – only requiring an occasional wash to keep it looking good. Aesthetically it is a very attractive material. It is solid throughout it’s 25mm thickness and very hard wearing.

3. Deck25 is a true Eco product, as over 90% of the raw materials used to make Deck25 are from recycled materials: Deck25 decking is a hybrid of recycled plastic bottles and wood fibre from the furniture industry.

For more details on Deck25 decking you can visit: www.Deck25.com

For more information about the Megalithic Tombs of Knowth, Newgrange & Dowth

you can refer to The Sacred Island by Martin Byrne or check out www.knowth.com