The N2 road is a National Primary Route in the Republic of Ireland, connecting Dublin with Derry, passing through the eastern part of Ireland. The road leaves Dublin passing by Ballymun, heading out to Ashbourne in County Meath. A dangerous bridge at Slane brings the road by the historic Hill of Slane, now home to the occasional rock festival. Just after Ardee, the N33 road connects to the nearby parallel N1 road (M1 motorway). The N2 continues bypasses Carrickmacross and continues through Castleblayney before reaching Monaghan. From there the road crosses the border with Northern Ireland, becoming the A5 road to Omagh and Derry.

As of 2005, the most recent project completed on the N2 has been the Carrickmacross bypass, opened on 21 January, 2005. The route, nine kilometres in length, has been dubbed "The Kavanagh Way", after Monaghan writer Patrick Kavanagh. Further projects to start in 2005 include a 15 km bypass of Castleblayney and 2 km bypass of Monaghan.