Celts & Castles Tour of the Boyne Valley!

Rates

Adults (Ages 13+): €85
Seniors (Ages 60+): €82
Students (With ID): €82
Children (Ages 5 -12): €82

Duration

8 hours

Note: This tour includes your entrance fee and access into Newgrange Monument.

Pickup Time & Point: The Molly Malone statue on Suffolk Street at 09:00am, Please be 10 minutes.

The Boyne Valley is a world heritage site; it goes through the Counties of Meath and Louth in the east of Ireland with the Boyne River flowing through it to reach the sea at Drogheda. It is without doubt Ireland’s most important historic area with sites and monuments that date back over 5000 years.

The story of Ireland and the Irish people can be traced back in this valley from the first early settlers of the Neolithic people and their megalithic tombs to the Celts, their mythology and their Pagan believes.

About the Tour:

The tour will bring you from the center of Dublin towards the Boyne Valley, just 40 minutes north of Dublin.
The Megalithic sites of the Boyne Valley were designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993.

Along the way we will visit.

Newgrange is the best-known Irish passage tomb and dates to c.3, 200BC. We will be able to enter this tomb and see some of the best megalithic art in Europe. The most impressive of these stones is the highly decorated Entrance Stone. Newgrange monument is astrologically aligned to the Winter solstice on December 21st.
Knowth: This is also part of the Bru Na Boinne tour at Newgrange. The impressive Great Mound at Knowth is similar in size to Newgrange and is surrounded by 18 smaller satellite mounds.

(Our Newgrange Tour can take approx. 3.5hrs)

Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre: Approx 1.5hr.
The Battle of the Boyne in 1690 was the deciding battle, not just for the ruling class in Ireland, but also in Britain and Europe. It explains the recent Troubles in Northern Ireland and why it is celebrated on July 12th each year by the Loyalist community in Northern Ireland. It was a battle that would, eventually, lead to the displacement of the Irish Gaelic Lords and the end of that culture throughout the Island of Ireland. It was also a battle for the Throne of England between the Catholic King James II and the Protestant King of Holland (William of Orange) – Father-in-law V son-in-law.

Monasterboice:
Mainistir Bhuithe – “monastery of Buithe” is the 5th century monastic site founded by St Buithe.
The site includes the remains of two churches built in the 14th century and a Round Tower from the 10th century, but it is most famous for its Celtic High Crosses.
The round tower is about 28 metres tall, and is in very good condition. It was likely built shortly after 968 and damaged in a fire in 1098.
The three high crosses date from the 10th century and form part of the scriptural group (showing biblical scenes).
The 5.5-metre Muiredach's High Cross is regarded as the finest high cross in the whole of Ireland. It features Biblical Carvings from the Old and New Testaments.

It is named after an Abbot, Muiredach mac Domhnaill, who died in 923.

We return to Dublin for Approx 17:00.

Apart from its important heritage the Boyne Valley is a truly wonderful area full of beauty, mystery and intrigue and a place you will never forget.

“So memorable in ancient history and so rich in monuments of the past is it…. that the history of Ireland might be written in tracing its banks"

• William Wilde, Father of Oscar Wilde - The Beauties of the Boyne, 1849

Whats Included

• Local Irish qualified Guide with plenty of local knowledge and history.
• Pickup and transport for the day.
• Entrance Fee into Newgrange Monuments.

Whats not Included

• Meals or drinks.

What to Bring

• comfortable walking shoes or trainers are recommended. (There is not too much walking on this tour)
• Rain gear and sunscreen are advised on all our tours.
• A Camera to capture some wonderful pictures.
• A Bottle of Water.