Last updated on March 13th, 2025 at 09:24 pm
Did you know that the UNESCO world heritage site of Newgrange dates back to 3700 BC, making it older than both Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt?
Now that we have your attention to this impressive fact, we want to tell you everything you need to know for visiting Newgrange, and why you NEED to visit this megalithic monument in Ireland.
Furthermore, we will tell you what to expect on a Newgrange guided tour, if Knowth is worth visiting, why booking tickets in advance is essential, how to get to Newgrange, the best hotels in the area, and much more. Let’s explore everything you need to know for your visit to Newgrange!
*Newgrange Tip – it’s hard to believe, but there are only two UNESCO World Heritage sites in Ireland, Brú na Bóinne in County Meath and Skellig Michael in County Kerry. The Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim is also a UNESCO World Heritage site but is located in Northern Ireland.
Is Newgrange Worth Visiting?
Newgrange is Ireland’s most famous historical attraction and is part of the larger complex called Brú na Bóinne along with the nearby passage tombs: Knowth and Dowth. The name Brú na Bóinne means “Palace of Boyne,” in the Irish language, named after the nearby Boyne River.
The most popular attraction at Brú na Bóinne is Newgrange, a massive ancient passage tomb consisting of a large circular mound that is 85 meters (279 feet) in diameter, and 13 meters (43 feet) high. Visitors can enter through a narrow passageway of 20 meters (60 feet) that leads to the main chamber. Inside the tunnel, you will see many triskelion symbols carved into the walls. This famous Celtic symbol is known globally and is believed to represent life, death, and rebirth.
After 40 meters of walking through a tight passageway, you will arrive at the inner chamber where the most famous triskelion is carved into stone, as well as a stone basin where the cremated remains of the dead were placed. However, it is the next part where it gets really cool!
The standout feature, and why Newgrange is a must-visit attraction in Ireland, is because every year on the winter solstice (December 21st), the rising sun aligns perfectly with the passageway, sending a beam of light inside, which illuminates the entire main chamber with light for approximately 17 minutes. This extraordinary event is referred to as the “Newgrange Winter Solstice.” and marks the end of the longest night of the year, and the start of days getting longer,
How impressive is that! This also proves that the people who built it had great knowledge of astronomy, especially when you realize Newgrange was constructed nearly 5,000 years ago without the aid of modern technology, mind-blowing stuff!
To sum it up – Brú na Bóinne is must-see destination in Ireland for anyone interested in archaeology, Irish history, or simply looking for a culturally enriching experience.
How to witness the Newgrange Winter Solstice
Unfortunately, getting an entrance ticket to Newgrange on the 21st of December is very difficult. You either are invited as a VIP guest or submit your name into a lottery ticket system with winners randomly selected from a large pool of applicants. The application process starts in October, and the lucky winners will be notified in early November.
Nevertheless, you can still have a fantastic experience visiting Newgrange, Knowth, and the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre.
For the latest news and updates to enter your name in the lottery, check out the Brú na Bóinne official website.
How to visit Newgrange
Brú na Bóinne welcomes visitors from all year round with different opening times depending on the month. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of Newgrange and Knowth, as well as a self-guided tour of the Brú na Bóinne Visitors Centre.
Dowth is the third site at Brú na Bóinne, however, it is not part of the tour because of its instability. Visitors can still explore the site freely and at no cost.
It is mandatory to take a guided tour of Newgrange and Knowth. Don’t just show up at the Newgrange complex, because you will be sent away to the Brú na Bóinne Visitors Centre where you can purchase a ticket (More about that later!)
Visitors start the tour at the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, where they will check in for their allocated time slot. We recommend doing this one hour before your tour starts to allow time to explore the exhibitions that explain the history of Newgrange and the people who built it.
Next, you’ll head outside to a nearby shuttle bus that will take you to Newgrange where you’ll meet your guide who will give you a briefing and some cool facts about the surrounding area before taking you inside to the inner chamber.
Once inside the inner chamber your guide will turn off the lights and you will be in complete darkness. You will then witness a simulation with an artificial light that shows what happens in the inner chamber when the sunlight protrudes during the Newgrange Winter Solstice. Although it is not the real deal it is still impressive! Unfortunately photography is not permitted inside Newgrange.
Following that incredible experience, you will make your way back through the passage tunnel, where your guide will inform you about the time available for exploring the surrounding grounds before boarding the shuttle bus to Knowth. We recommend walking around fully to embrace the size of Newgrange and discover more megalithic art carved into the stones.
*Newgrange Tip – Please be aware that the passageway leading to the inner chamber is quite narrow, which may be a concern for those who suffer from claustrophobia. Furthermore, during our visit, we also observed that a significantly overweight individual was unable to enter.
Is Knowth worth visiting?
Your guided tour continues to Knowth. Unfortunately, Knowth doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. We believe this is because visitors cannot access its inner chamber. However, Knowth is definitely worth visiting and dare we say, even more captivating than Newgrange!
Like Newgrange, Knowth is a large passage tomb and roughly the same size. The difference is that Knowth is surrounded by 17 smaller mounds. If that doesn’t impress you, then know that Knowth also has the largest collection of megalithic art in Europe. In fact, nearly one-third of all megalithic art in Europe is found at Knowth.
Your guide will lead you around the site, highlighting the best examples of megalithic art, including numerous triskelions and even an ancient sundial carving. At the end, you go into a small chamber just inside Knowth, but unfortunately, that’s as far as you are allowed. It is still pretty cool to see though!
Surely all of that will make you want to visit Knowth as well! After visiting two of the best historic attractions in Ireland you will then be brought back to the Brú na Bóinne Visitors Centre.
The total time of the tour of Newgrange, Knowth, and the Brú na Bóinne Visitors Centre will take 3 hours.
You must visit the Brú na Bóinne Visitors Centre
In an ideal world, we recommend arriving one hour early at the Brú na Bóinne Visitors Centre to check in and see the exhibitions on display.
However, if you are unable, then make sure to visit the visitor’s centre after your guided tour of Newgrange and Knowth. Trust us, it is worth visiting and is included with your ticket.
Lastly, next door to the Brú na Bóinne Visitors Centre is the Brambles Cafe which serves sandwiches, scones, cake, and coffee. Perfect to unwind and reflect on what you just witnessed!
Booking tickets in advance is essential
The most important tip for visiting Newgrange that you should take on board, is to book your tickets for the Newgrange and Knowth tour in advance. Especially between March – October, with the highest number of visitors during the summer months, particularly July and August.
You might get away with not buying a ticket in advance, but it is not always guaranteed. We have had friends and family who decided to visit Newgrange at the spur of the moment, only to be told it is booked out for the day.
The number of people on the tour can also be very different. When we visited Newgrange for the first time, there were only 5 of us in the group, fantastic! However, when we came out there was a large group of at least 12 people waiting to go inside Newgrange.
During peak season Newgrange will be booked out. When booking a ticket you will be allocated a time slot, DO NOT BE LATE! You will not be granted a new time slot, and you can not add additional people to your booking. Lastly, please note that 45 minutes has been allocated for your visit to the Brú na Bóinne Visitors Centre before the shuttle bus departs to Newgrange.
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How to book your Newgrange ticket
There are two ways of booking a ticket, either by booking a ticket yourself from the Brú na Bóinne website, or by taking a day tour from Dublin. If you book a ticket yourself then you must have your own transport to get to the Brú na Bóinne Visitors Centre. It is also possible to stay in hotels near Newgrange or nearby towns such as Drogheda or Navan.
Book a ticket yourself: When booking a ticket yourself you will be directed to the Brú na Bóinne website. Online reservations can be made up to 30 days ahead, but not any further – plan accordingly!
Tickets are specific to a date and time and CANNOT be refunded or transferred. However, if you realize you’ve made a mistake, then email – bruonlinequeries@opw.ie within one hour of your original purchase. If you don’t send an email within that hour, you won’t be able to get a refund.
Take a day tour from Dublin to Newgrange
The other option to visit Newgrange is by an organized tour from Dublin to Newgrange. The tour includes transport, a visit to the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre, and Monasterboice, famous for the round tower and Ireland’s most famous Celtic Cross. Use the link for more information on a day trip to Newgrange and Knowth from Dublin.
Ireland Travel Tip -If you love Irish history then read about Ireland’s Ancient Capital here.
Now that you have been convinced to visit this astonishing landmark in Ireland, let’s find out how to get to Newgrange.
Where is Newgrange Located?
Newgrange is in County Meath, near the town of Donore. It’s situated in the Boyne Valley, less than 8 kilometers west of Drogheda and approximately 40 kilometers north of Dublin.
How Do I Get to Newgrange?
To get to Newgrange, you can consider various transportation options depending on your starting point and preferences:
Car: If you’re traveling by car, then make sure to drive to the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, and not to Newgrange itself. You can use GPS or Google Maps to navigate to the visitor centre, where you can park your car and check-in, remember to allow an hour before your tour of Newgrange and Knowth.
The best way to explore Ireland is by car – click to get a free quote for Car Rental in Ireland.
Public Transport: If you prefer public transportation, you can take a train or bus from Dublin to Drogheda, and then take a taxi or local bus to Newgrange. From Drogheda, it’s approximately a 20-minute drive to Newgrange, organize with your driver to pick you up again afterward.
Tour: Many tour companies offer guided tours to Newgrange from Dublin. These day tours include transportation to and from Newgrange, as well as guided visits to the site and other nearby attractions such as Trim Castle, the Hill of Tara, and the Battle of the Boyne Visitors Centre.
The Best Newgrange Hotels
Now that you know how to get to Newgrange, let’s explore your accommodation options by providing a list of the best hotels and B&Bs in the area.
The recommended Newgrange hotels were chosen based on location (distance to Newgrange) and guest reviews.
Stylish Newgrange Hotels – Collon House
Our first pick for accommodation near Newgrange is the Collon House. Located just 15 minutes from the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, Colon House is a beautifully restored18th-century historic residence decorated with fashionable antiques and a breathtaking garden.
This beautiful retreat is perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring the Boyne Valley. All rooms feature four-poster beds and luxurious bathtubs and a traditional full Irish breakfast included.
Similar to buying a ticket to Newgrange in advance, we recommend reserving your room here ahead of time, as this popular accommodation tends to book out quickly.
For a luxury holiday check out more Unique Ireland stays.
Affordable Newgrange Hotels – Ardboyne Hotel
Nestled in Navan town and just a twenty-minute drive from the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, the Ardboyne is an affordable hotel in the Newgrange area that still features stylish rooms with all amenities included.
The Ardboyne features a classic Irish bar and restaurant that serves classic Irish dinners, and of course a full Irish breakfast is offered as part of your stay. To book a room click the link – Ardboyne Hotel.
Conveniently located Newgrange Hotels – City North Hotel
We like the City North Hotel for its convenient location, especially if you’re beginning or finishing your holiday in Ireland because it is situated perfectly between Brú na Bóinne and Dublin Airport and offers an airport Shuttle.
If you are heading home, or just arriving in Ireland – then stay at City North Hotel.
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Tips for visiting Newgrange
- Weather – There can be four seasons on the day in Ireland. Newgrange and Knowth are located outdoors, so dress appropriately.
- Don’t miss out – Book your entrance tickets in advance.
- Online bookings – Can be made up to 30 days in advance but not further.
- Time – The time you select shows arrival time in the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre.
- Punctuality – Arrive on time for your scheduled tour slot!
- Mobility – Parts of tours may not be suitable for people with limited mobility, a larger person, or people suffering from claustrophobia.
- Pets – Furry friends are not permitted.
Enjoy your visit to Newgrange, Knowth, and the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre
A visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site Brú na Bóinne offers a meaningful connection to Ireland’s ancient heritage, allowing you to admire the intelligence of our ancestors and experience a sense of awe in its mystical atmosphere.
Our visit was undeniably one of the most incredible experiences we had in Ireland. We were utterly mesmerized by the entire experience, and we can assure you that when standing silently in the chamber of our Celtic ancestors is unlike anything else.
In fact, why don’t you tell us all about it!
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