Brú na Bóinne – Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth

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 (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.

Bookings can only be made one month in advance.

From 6 November 2023 to 28 February 2024, there are 2 tour options:

1. Newgrange Tour + Exhibition
A guided tour to Newgrange,
Access to the chamber.
Includes the exhibitions at Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre
Pre-Booking Essential.
(This is the main tour option)

2. Visitor Centre Exhibition Only
Self-guided exhibition-Does not include visits to monuments
(These tickets are not available to pre-book)

Knowth is closed from 6th November 2023 to 28th February 2024

*Earlier opening on winter-solstice mornings (19 – 23 December) with regular tour options suspended 

Closed 24 – 27 December inclusive

BOOK A TOUR

 

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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

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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.

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 main pyramids at Giza by 400 years and the main trilithon phase of Stonehenge by about 500-700 years. 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)

For more on what the local region has to offer, watch the video below.

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