How to Visit Bru na Boinne
Read our travel guide on Bru na Broinne in Ireland. Includes tips on what to expect from a visit to Newgrange, Dowth, and Knowth, how to get there, where to stay, or when to go.
Without any doubt, Bru na Boinne is one of the most incredible places you can visit in Ireland.
This fertile valley on the River Boyne is home to an ancient human settlement from the Neolithic period.
Even though this place is not as famous as Cliffs of Moher or Ring of Kerry, we believe it should have a firm spot on every Ireland road trip itinerary.
Some of its most famous structures, such as Newgrange, Dowth, and Knowth, are 5000 years old and predate Egyptian pyramids.
The area contains about 90 additional Neolithic monuments and has been designed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Boyne Valley area is located in County Meath, about 50 kilometers north of Dublin, and easily accessible by car.
Visiting Bru na Boinne is very straightforward, but there are a couple of essential things you should know before you go.
So here's our guide to getting the most out of your visit to the Bru na Boinne.
Things to Know Before You Go
One of the most crucial things you need to know about Bru na Boinne is that you can visit the monuments only with a guided tour, meaning the pre-booking is essential.
We learned it the hard way, though everything turned out just fine.
Our Ireland road trip was a spontaneous decision, and we have to admit that we discovered about three days before our visit that you need to book tickets in advance.
Even in the first half of May, the time slots for the following days were hopelessly booked out.
For the next two days, we frequently checked the official booking system in the hope of finding some open slots.
The evening before our trip, a smaller group canceled their trip, and we were able to reserve the 2 PM tour. It was pure luck.
Obviously, you can visit just the Visitor Center Exhibition, which doesn't require reserving tickets in advance.
While the museum is incredible and worth seeing, the main reason to visit Bru na Boinne is the actual sites with ancient monuments.
Currently, online bookings can be made up to 30 days in advance.
Remember that you need to enter the site through the Visitor Center. You will not gain entry if you go directly to Newgrange and Knowth monuments.
History
Bru na Broinne is an ancient complex situated in County Meath consisting of archaeological sites known as Newgrange, Knowth, and Dowth.
The whole area is nestled in Boyne Valley by the Boyne River.
Bru na Boinne History
The first hunter-gatherers lived in the Boyne Valley between 5500-4000 BCE.
The first Neolithic farmers settled in this area between 4000-2500 BCE. Newgrange, Knowth, and Dowth were built during this period, together with other chamber tombs, stone structures, and megalithic sites.
A little evidence of human activity was found at the passage tombs during 2500-800 BCE, though it's highly unlikely the structures were completely abandoned.
Around 100 BCE, burial ceremonies were held at Knowth and Newgrange, suggesting the sites regained their ceremonial importance.
The area around Boyne Valley remained important even in the following centuries when it became the capital of Northern Brega.
Then this area witnessed the foundation of Old Mellifont Abbey, the construction of Trim Castle, the rise of Drogheda town, the Battle of the Boyne, and the modern rediscovery of the Great Mound at Newgrange.
It's also believed that St. Patrick began his mission of introducing Christianity to Ireland on the nearby Hill of Slane.
These massive mounds resembling grassy hills are older than the Great Pyramid of Giza or Stonehenge.
Thanks to their historical significance, Bru na Broinne was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1993.
Winter Solstice
During the excavations, the locals mentioned to Professor O'Kelly, who worked as a leading archaeologist in Bru na Boinne, that the rising sun was supposed to light up an inner chamber of Newgrange.
It was just a tradition, but the southeast orientation supported the theory about the midwinter solstice.
In 1967, Professor O'Kelly stood alone in the burial chamber, waiting (and wondering) for the first sunlight to illuminate the complete darkness surrounding him.
Just imagine how he must have felt when the light actually entered the inner chamber.
The spectacle occurs around the 21st of December, ever since Newgrange's construction.
Today, the solstice phenomenon can be witnessed with a guided tour, but more about it later.
What to See and Do
Bru na Boinne is translated as Valley of the Boyne from Irish and is home to ancient settlements, passage tombs, and megalithic structures.
Every trip to Bru na Broinne consists of two parts - a visit to the museum and a guided tour.
First, you will head to the Visitor Center to explore a modern museum featuring information on the Neolithic era.
Obviously, visiting the museum first is recommended, especially if you're unfamiliar with terms such as Neolithic, Megalithic, or passage tombs.
Or, if you want, just know more about Bru na Boinne's history.
The second part is only accessible through a guided tour and features Newgrange and Knowth areas.
Visitor Center
We arrived at Bru na Boinne from Clonmacnoise about 90 minutes before the tour started.
We headed to the Visitor Center from the parking lot, where we collected our tickets.
As we still had plenty of time, our next steps brought us to the museum located within the same building.
The Bru na Boinne Visitor Center is the access point for Newgrange and Knowth but, most importantly, a wealth of information on the Boyne Valley and Neolithic era.
The museum has a large interactive exhibition, an immersive audio-visual presentation, a replica of the Newgrange chamber, and modern facilities, and it serves as a fantastic introduction.
It's a great place to start your day at Bru na Boinne, as you will also learn more about the excavations, restorations, leading archaeologists, or how the tombs were built.
The shuttle bus stop was about 200 meters from the Visitor Center, and it took us less than five minutes to get there on foot.
The trail is flat, paved, and includes a pedestrian bridge across the Boyne River.
Here we waited together with the rest of the group for the bus that showed up soon after.
Obviously, you need to be there on time for your tour group's departure.
Knowth
Then we hopped on the bus that took us to Knowth, the first of the two ancient monuments on the tour itinerary.
Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Knowth is one of the largest passage tombs within the Bru na Boinne area.
The Great Mound has two passages with entrances on opposite sides, about 80 meters in diameter and about 12 meters in height.
The eastern passage is 40 meters long and ends with a cruciform chamber, while the western passage is 34 meters long.
It's been estimated that Knowth was built about 3200 BCE, after the construction of Newgrange. Another reason to see Knowth with your own eyes is the fascinating Megalithic art.
During the excavations, more than 200 decorated stones were found at Knowth, including the moon map, sundial or lunar calendar, and spirals.
The circular base contains 124 kerbstones, massive huge boulders with carvings. The large mound is surrounded by 18 smaller satellite mounds, which are all covered with grass.
It's a true sight to behold.
A knowledgeable guide kept us captivated troughout the entire duration of the tour, explaining all the history behind their origin, details, art, and modern times excavations.
Unlike Newgrange, visitors are not allowed to enter the Knowth Passage tomb.
On the other hand, you can walk on the top of the largest mound. This walk includes a few steps but is very easy and short.
The views from the top of this National Monument of Ireland are beautiful, and you will get a better perspective of the entire area.
Part of the Knowth experience includes a visit to a small museum and a short movie.
Newgrange
After Knowth, the bus drove us to nearby Newgrange, the main highlight of Bru na Boinne's experience.
It was a short walk from the complex entrance to the tomb entrance.
Here we got split into two groups. The first went in while the other waited outside.
We were not allowed to bring any bags inside, not even cameras.
The passage to the inner chamber is quite narrow, and there are many reasons why photos are not allowed inside.
Newgrange is a huge passage tomb built around 3200 BCE that is a part of the Bru na Boinne UNESCO World Heritage Site complex.
It was beautifully restored, and you can explore its inner stone passageway and cruciform chamber with a guide.
Without any doubt, walking through a 5000-year-old passage is an unforgettable experience and the main reason to visit Newgrange and Bru na Boinne complex.
Unlike Knowth, Newgrange is aligned on the winter solstice sunrise.
The astronomical knowledge and engineering skills of the people living in Boyne Valley five millennia ago are simply fascinating.
Interestingly enough, the morning light on the 21st of December traveling between the entrance and burial chamber shines through a small opening known as a roofbox above the doorway.
In May, we couldn't enjoy his spectacular light show for obvious reasons.
So we could only listen to our guide's stories about this experience and general history, which was still pretty interesting.
Archaeologists found both burned and unburned bones, several items, and objects in the chamber during the excavations.
After emerging from the tomb, there was also enough time to walk around the entire mound.
Newgrange is about a similar size as Knowth, about 90 meters wide and 12 meters high, so it's pretty huge as well.
Dowth
If you've enjoyed your trip to Bru na Boinne's Newgrange and Knowth passage tombs, you can also visit the nearby Dowth.
With an original diameter of 85 meters, it's among the three main passage tombs in the area but is less well known.
As a result, you won't find crowds here. Furthermore, unlike Newgrange and Knowth, you can visit Dowth without a guided tour.
Dowth was constructed about 5000 years ago, during the Neolithic period.
It has two tombs facing westwards, and a curb of estimated 115 stones surrounds the mound, now covered with vegetation and trees.
Unfortunately, the passageway to the burial chamber is not accessible, and you can marvel at this massive green mound from the outside.
Also, keep in mind that parking at Dowth is a bit more complicated, as there is no designated parking lot here. There are a few spaces beside the road, though.
There is no entry fee to Dowth Passage Tomb.
In case you want to see more megalithic sites in Ireland, we really enjoyed Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, Knocknarea, or Poulnabrone Dolmen.
Opening Hours
Lucky for you, Bru na Boinne is open nearly every day of the year except for 24-27 December, when the site is closed.
Just be prepared that it has seasonal opening times.
In the peak season, May to August, the Visitor Center is open from 9 AM to 5:45 PM (this is the last admission, and the museum remains open a bit longer).
In the off-season, it's open from 9 AM to 4:15 PM. Keep in mind that these are opening times for the Visitor Center.
The guided tours to Knowth and Newgrange monuments usually run from 9 AM to 3 PM.
There are about 12 time slots in the peak season, with the tours departing every 30 minutes.
We always recommend checking the official website before every trip as they change with the seasons.
When it comes to Bru na Boinne, you don't get a chance to skip this part because you need to book the tour online, at least if you want to see the megalithic structures.
Entrance Fee
The entry fee to Bru na Boinne, which includes the Bru na Boinne Tour and Newgrange Chamber, is €18 per adult.
Keep in mind that this fee includes a knowledgeable guide and transport. It's definitely not cheap, but it's worth every cent.
Even if you're traveling around Ireland on a budget, Bru na Boinne should not be missing from your itinerary.
Bru na Boinne offers various tickets, such as Newgrange Tour or Knowth Tour.
If you ask us which ticket you should purchase, we always suggest booking the full Bru na Boinne Tour.
Also, keep in mind that tour options vary throughout the season.
How Much Time Do I Need
You'll probably need 4-5 hours to see everything Bru na Boinne has to offer, including the guided tour.
Keep in mind that the full Bru na Boinne Tour takes about 3 hours, plus there is a very informative museum that's worth visiting as well.
If you love history, particularly the Neolithic period, and prefer to get into the details, you will need about one to two hours to explore what's on display at Bru na Boinne's Visitor Center.
Of course, some visitors might complete their tour through the museum in less than an hour.
When to Go
You can visit Bru na Boinne all year round. Honestly, no matter what time of year you visit the Bru na Boinne, you are sure to have a wonderful time.
Still, the period from spring to fall is usually considered generally the best time when to visit Ireland.
Bru na Boinne is especially beautiful during this period; just be prepared that the whole island gets busy in the summer season.
We visited Bru na Boinne in mid-spring and couldn't ask for better weather, though you never know what to expect in this regard.
Bru na Boinne remains open throughout the winter, but note that the days are short, cold, and the weather is very unpredictable.
Bru na Boinne has a lottery system to experience the winter solstice in Newgrange every year.
Still, only 60 lucky people are selected, so the chances of being picked are highly unlikely.
Only a certain number of visitors are allowed to visit Newgrange and Knowth each day, so Bru na Boinne doesn't feel too crowded.
It also means there is no need to arrive super early or late to Bru na Boinne to avoid the crowds like when visiting other popular places in Ireland.
By the way, Bru na Boinne is also a great place to visit, even on a rainy day.
Just make sure to bring an umbrella or rain jacket with you.
What to Pack
Keep in mind that you can't get to your car during the duration of the guided tour. Therefore, it's better to be prepared for all types of weather.
Even on a clear day, we usually keep an extra layer or a lightweight windbreaker in our daypack.
Good quality rain jacket is the most essential item on every Ireland packing list.
Waterproof raingear is handy not just in Bru na Boinne but pretty much in every destination you plan to visit.
The guided tour is relatively long, so bringing a water bottle to stay hydrated makes sense.
How to Get There
There are several ways to get to Bru na Boinne, with driving being the most common option.
Renting a car in Ireland is easy and has many benefits.
You don't have to worry about bus schedules, and you will have all the flexibility and freedom you need to visit as many places as you want.
Driving in Ireland can be tricky for visitors who have never driven a car on the left side of the road, so make sure to read this guide, which is packed with helpful tips on this topic.
Alternatively, you could take a guided tour or use public transport to get there.
Car
Bru na Boinne Visitor Center entrance is located on Staleen Rd, about two kilometers west of Donore village and 8 kilometers from Drogheda town.
From Dublin or Dublin Airport, you can either take M1 or M2/N2 to get to Bru na Boinne, depending on the current traffic.
The journey from Ireland's capital to Bru na Boinne should take about an hour.
If you're heading north to Belfast, the journey via M1/A1 takes about 90 minutes.
You will spend almost three hours on the road when departing from Galway (M6/M4) or Limerick (M7/M50/M1).
You will need about three and a half hours to get to Bru na Boinne from Cork via M8/M7/M50/M1 route.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Public Transport
If you want to get around Ireland by public transport, check the TFI Local Link website for up-to-date bus schedules.
Seasonal bus 188 connects from Athboy to Drogheda and back and stops at Bru na Boinne a few times a day, at least during the peak season.
Expressway Route 100X connects Dublin with Dundalk and stops at Drogheda.
Or you can take a train from Dublin to Drogheda.
Tours
The easiest way to get to Bru na Boinne without a car is on a guided tour from Dublin.
While we prefer to explore some areas on our own, sometimes joining an organized trip just makes more sense.
In the case of Bru na Broinne, you won't miss out on anything, as you need to take the tour to Newgrange and Knowth either way.
As usual, convenience, safety, and a stress-free trip are the main advantages of guided tours.
This popular Bru na Boinne Tour includes an entrance fee to Newgrange, guides, transport, and a visit to the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre.
Where to Stay
Bru na Boinne is nestled between Drogheda, Navan, and Dublin.
This is one of the biggest urban areas in Ireland, meaning that there are tons of great accommodations within this area.
Dublin Airport is another area where you can stay overnight due to its proximity to Bru na Boinne.
Finding a nice hotel in this region is not difficult, but you should consider how it fits into your itinerary.
Also, make sure to book your accommodation well in advance to secure the best deals, especially when traveling during the peak season.
Here are our tips on the best hotels near Bru na Boinne.
Drogheda | D Hotel - Sitting beside River Boyne in Drogheda's town center, this hotel offers spacious rooms, a waterfront restaurant, a great restaurant, and a superb location only a short drive from Bru na Boinne.
Navan | The Newgrange Hotel - This stylish hotel offers beautiful decor combining an ancient world atmosphere of this area with modern facilities, cozy rooms, free private parking, and a hard-to-beat location only a short drive from Bru na Boinne.
Dublin Airport | Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport - With modern and soundproofed rooms, an on-site restaurant, and underground parking, this hotel is a great choice. On top of the fantastic location, it has everything you need before your next journey. This hotel also has a free 24-hour airport shuttle service.
Dublin City Center | Jacobs Inn Hostel - This conveniently located hostel offers affordable accommodation in Dublin's city center. It has both modern private rooms and dormitories with pods, a great location, clean facilities, personal lockers, and friendly staff.
Staying Safe
In principle, Bru na Boinne is a very safe place to visit. The site is well-maintained, and we felt very safe there.
As usual, never leave your belongings in your car, or at least keep them out of sight.
If you have mobility issues, just check the accessibility of the site before you visit.
If you don't feel comfortable in confined or enclosed spaces, keep in mind that the passage and chamber at Newgrange are low and narrow.
Here you will find more tips on staying safe in Ireland.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Bru na Boinne Worth Visiting?
Hands down, Bru na Boinne is one of the best places you can visit in Ireland.
The museum in the Visitor Center is packed with information on the Neolithic period and megalithic structures.
At the same time, the guided tour will allow you to explore some of the oldest human-made structures in the world.
Bru na Boinne is an amazing piece of history that truly shows the ingenuity, knowledge, and skills of our ancestors.
The 5000 years old structures of Knowth and Newgrange are absolutely incredible, and the guided tour provided by Bru na Boinne Visitor Center is extremely well done.
For us, Bru na Boinne is one of the most unique places we've ever visited.
If you have even the slightest interest in history or curiosity about how humans used to live so long ago, Bru na Boinne should be on your Ireland bucket list.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
