Lordship of Meath Lordship of Meath The Lordship of Meath was an extensive seigniorial liberty in medieval Ireland that was awarded to Hugh de Lacy by King Henry II of England by the service of fifty knights and with almost royal authority. The Lordship was roughly co-extensive with the medieval kingdom of Meath. At its greatest extent, it included all of the modern counties of Fingal, Meath (which takes its name from the kingdom), Westmeath as well as parts of counties Cavan, Kildare, Longford, Louth and Offaly. The Lordship or fiefdom was imbued with privileges enjoyed in no other Irish liberty, including the
County Meath Gaeltacht areas in the province of Leinster, at Ráth Chairn and Baile Ghib. Meath has seven land borders and also a small stretch of coastline stretching from Mornington to Gormanston beach. The counties that Meath border are; Dublin, Westmeath, Louth, Offaly, Kildare, Cavan, and Monaghan. There are eighteen historic baronies in the county. They include the baronies of Morgallion and Ratoath. While baronies continue to be officially defined units, they are no longer used for many administrative purposes. Their official status is illustrated by Placenames Orders made since 2003, where official Irish names of baronies are listed under "Administrative units".