Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre,
Donore,
County Meath
A92 EH5C
Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre (Eircode A92 EH5C) is the starting point for all visits to Newgrange and Knowth. Do not go directly to the monuments as you will not gain entry. Visitors are brought via shuttle bus to the monuments.
The Visitor Centre exhibition is a fully interactive visitor experience exploring the Neolithic culture, landscape and monuments of Brú na Bóinne.
Pre-booking tickets is essential. Pre-booking for the Visitor Centre only is not required.
Please note that the Knowth monumnent is closed from the dates of 7th November 2024 – 26th February 2025.
The tour options of Newgrange Tour + Exhibition & Visitor Centre Exhibition only are still available and can be booked at the below link.
Brú Na Bóinne Tour + Newgrange Chamber
Book Brú Na Bóinne Tour + Newgrange Chamber Tour here
Knowth Tour+ Exhibition
Book Knowth Tour+ Exhibition here
Newgrange Tour + Exhibition
Book Newgrange Tour + Exhibition here
Visitor Centre Exhibition Only
Ticket availability is very limited. Pre-booking tickets is essential – all visitors including children/infants must have a ticket.
For wheelchair users or visitors who require special assistance please email brunaboinne@opw.ie in advance of booking.
For group bookings (15 – 24 tickets): email brunaboinne@opw.ie
Dowth: Visitors wishing to see Dowth can access the exterior of the monument directly via the N51. There is no access via the Visitor Centre.
Newgrange (c 3,200 B.C.) is the best-known monument of the World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne, predating the ancient pyramids by 400 years and Stonehenge by 1000. The passage tomb is surrounded by 97 kerb stones, the most impressive is the large entrance stone which is covered in swirls and designs. Inside the large mound there is a long passage leading into a chamber which branches off three ways. The corbelled roof inside the burial chamber it still watertight and supports an estimated 200,000 tonnes of cairn. The cremated remains of the dead were laid on large stone basins inside the chamber which usually were accompanied by grave goods.
At dawn on the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year (December 21st), a shaft of sunlight enters the chamber of Newgrange through a specially designed opening over the doorway which illuminates the Chamber. On December 21st 1967, Professor MJ O'Kelly was the first person in modern times to see this now world famous event.
The passage tomb complex lies to the west of Newgrange. The large mound covers two passage tombs placed back to back which is surrounded by 127 massive kerbstones. Outside this large passage tomb there are eighteen small tombs.
Over three hundred decorated stones make up Knowth which represents the greatest concentration of megalithic art in Western Europe. Recurring motifs on these stones include circles serpentine forms and spirals.
Knowth continued in use through the centuries, variously as a burial site in the Bronze and Iron ages, a royal site in the early medieval period and a manor farmhouse in the later medieval period.
A new exhibit at Knowth explores the megalithic art of the Boyne Valley, and the story of the archaeologists who discovered it.
Dowth is the least well known of the other two although it compares in size. The mound is surrounded by a kerb of 115 stones and has two tombs facing westwards. On the 21st of December, the rays of the setting sun illuminate this passage and circular manner in manner similar to the winter solstice at Newgrange. At least thirty-eight of the stones at Dowth contain megalithic art, the circle meaning the most common motif used.
There is no access to the interior of the Dowth Mound, but visitors may still walk around the outside and admire the monument and views.
Dowth Winter Solstice Sunset (Photo: Ken Williams, Shadows and Stone Photography)
Listen to some wonderful audio on Brú na Boinne - part of the Boyne Valley Drive
Bru na Boinne (Newgrange and Knowth) bus link 188
TFI Local Link Route 188 connecting Rathcairn, Athboy, Navan, Duleek, Donore, and Drogheda with Brú na Bóinne and the Battle of the Boyne Site. The route operates 8 times per day, 7 days per week providing improved access to our heritage sites. Access the Athboy to Drogheda timetable and many more Local Link timetables available at www.locallinklmf.ie/rrs-daily-services.
Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre,
Donore,
County Meath
A92 EH5C
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Social Guide
Download, print and read our social guide (PDF) about visiting Brú na Bóinne. This will help first-time visitors, families and people with developmental and learning disabilities to prepare for a visit to Brú na Bóinne.
Download the Brú Na Boinne Outside Covid social story