Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre (Newgrange and Knowth)

The new state of the art, immersive visitor experience focuses on the monuments of the World Heritage Site during the Neolithic period. It transports visitors back 5000 years to the pinnacle of passage tomb building tradition.

The exhibits explore the seasonal nature of Stone Age society, the significance of the solar cycle, ceremonies and the monument building process.

Visitor Centre, Newgrange and Knowth

Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre 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.

BOOK A TOUR

There are 3 tour options available:

1. VISITOR CENTRE EXHIBITON ONLY
Does not include visits to monuments
These tickets are not available to pre-book

2. BRÚ NA BÓINNE TOUR PLUS NEWGRANGE CHAMBER*
A visit to Knowth and Newgrange
Guided tour of the chamber at Newgrange
Includes exhibitions at Knowth and Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre
No access to the chambers at Knowth
*PREBOOKING ESSENTAIL

3. BRÚ NA BÓINNE TOUR – OUTSIDE ONLY
AVAILABLE SUMMER 2022
A visit to exteriors Knowth and Newgrange
No access to the chambers at Newgrange or Knowth
Includes exhibitions at Knowth and Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre
These tickets are not available to pre-book. A limited selection of 'walk-in tickets' are available on a first come first served basis. 

Groups of 15 or more must pre-book one of our group time slots by emailing brunaboinne@opw.ie for availability.

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.

Notice

• Universal access is limited at the monuments — those who require special assistance or those with mobility issues please contact us in advance of visit.
• Brú na Bóinne is a very busy site.
• Tickets are limited.
• Visitors may incur long delays or not gain access to the sites.
• Access is not guaranteed without pre-booked tickets

Archaeological Information

Newgrange

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.

Knowth

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

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

Facilities

• Café, gift shop/tourist information, picnic area, shuttle buses to Monuments,
• Universal access is limited at the monuments – those who require special assistance or those with mobility issues please contact us in advance of visit
• No pets – guide dogs with ID permitted
• No drones