Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre (Newgrange and Knowth) | Discover Boyne Valley Meath, Ireland

Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre (Newgrange and Knowth)

Visitor Centre, Newgrange and Knowth

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.

 

BOOK A TOUR

Brú Na Bóinne Tour + Newgrange Chamber

  • Adult: €18
  • Senior (60 and over): €16
  • Child (12-17): €12
  • Child (under 12): FREE
  • Student (valid student ID required): €12
  • Family (max. 2 adults & 5 Children aged 12 -17): €48

Book Brú Na Bóinne Tour + Newgrange Chamber Tour here


Knowth Tour+ Exhibition

  • Adult: €10
  • Senior(60 and over): €8
  • Child (12-17): €5
  • Child (under 12): FREE
  • Student(valid student ID required): €5
  • Family (max. 2 adults & 5 Children aged 12 -17): €25

Book Knowth Tour+ Exhibition here


Newgrange Tour + Exhibition

  • Adult: €10
  • Senior (60 and over): €8
  • Child (12-17): €5
  • Child (under 12): FREE
  • Student (valid student ID required): €5
  • Family (max. 2 adults & 5 Children aged 12 -17): €25

Book Newgrange Tour + Exhibition here


Visitor Centre Exhibition Only

  • Adult: €5
  • Senior (60 and over): €4
  • Child (12-17): €3
  • Child (under 12): Free
  • Student (valid student ID required): €3
  • Family (max. 2 adults & 5 Children aged 12 -17): €13

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.

Bru na Boinne 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

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

 

 

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

 

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.

Images
Visitors at Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre exhibition
Newgrange passage tomb
Visitors at Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre exhibition
Visitors at Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre exhibition
Visitors at Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre exhibition
Town
Telephone
+353 41 9880300
Email Address
brunaboinne@opw.ie
Address

Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre,

Donore,

County Meath

A92 EH5C

Latitude
53.70057581075286
Longitude
-6.455041477027567
Region
GPS: 53.70057581075286, -6.455041477027567

In this Area

WhiteRiver Karting
Region: Drogheda

Adventure Activities & Family Fun

View

The Barbican Centre
Region: Drogheda

Music, Arts & Irish Culture

View

Skylight Gallery
Region: Drogheda

Crafts & Retail

View

Laytown Races
Region: Drogheda

Horseracing and Equestrian

View

Highlanes Municipal Art Gallery
Region: Drogheda

Cultural Tourism Attractions | Music, Arts & Irish Culture

View

Funtasia Theme Park
Region: Drogheda

Adventure Activities & Family Fun

View

Balrath Wood - Forest Walk
Region: Drogheda | Navan | Slane

Walking

View

Droichead Arts Centre
Region: Drogheda

Music, Arts & Irish Culture

View

Drogheda Museum
Region: Drogheda

Adventure Activities & Family Fun | Cultural Tourism Attractions | Tour Guides

View

Boyne Valley Wools
Region: Drogheda | Slane

Crafts & Retail

View

Boyne Greenway
Region: Drogheda

Blueways & Greenways | Walking

View

Boann Distillery
Region: Drogheda

Boyne Valley Brewing, Cider Making & Distilling Tours

View

Bellewstown Races
Region: Drogheda

Horseracing and Equestrian

View

Sage and Stone
Region: Drogheda | Slane

Crafts & Retail

View

Red Mountain Open Farm
Region: Drogheda

Adventure Activities & Family Fun

View

Tara Lounge at CityNorth Hotel
Region: Drogheda | South East Meath

Hotel Dining

View

Sage & Stone
Region: Drogheda | Slane

Restaurants

View

Odd Mollies
Region: Drogheda

Pubs

View

Monasterboice Inn
Region: Drogheda | Slane

Gastro Pubs

View

The Glyde Inn
Region: Drogheda

Gastro Pubs

View

Donegan's Pub
Region: Drogheda | Slane

Pubs

View

Dan Kelly's Cider
Region: Drogheda

Boyne Valley Brewing, Cider Making & Distilling Tours

View

Boann Distillery
Region: Drogheda

Boyne Valley Brewing, Cider Making & Distilling Tours

View

Listoke Distillery & Gin School
Region: Drogheda

Boyne Valley Brewing, Cider Making & Distilling Tours

View

79 West Street
Region: Drogheda

Gastro Pubs

View

Sonairte Cafe
Region: Drogheda

Cafes

View

The Punt Pub
Region: Drogheda

Pubs

View

TRIBE Restaurant
Region: Drogheda

Restaurants

View

Il Forno
Region: Drogheda

Restaurants

View