Newgrange is a Neolithic passage tomb built around 3200 BCE, predating Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. Entry to the tomb itself is only possible on a timed guided tour booked through the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, which also includes a shuttle bus to the monument — independent travellers cannot walk up to the tomb directly.
| Distance | 50 km from city centre |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 1.5 hours by public transport combination |
| Getting there | Bus Éireann Expressway (buseireann.ie) from Busáras to Drogheda (1h, €6 / ~$6.60), then Bus 163 toward Tullyallen to visitor centre access point; or direct guided day tour from Dublin (~€35–€50 / ~$38.50–$55) |
| Address | Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, Donore, County Meath, C15 Ireland |
How to get there
- Bus Éireann + local bus
- Guided day tour
- Car (55 min via M1/N51)
Weather through the year in Ireland
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Ireland.
Location
Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, Donore, County Meath, C15 Ireland
53.6947, -6.4757 View on map
Highlights
- The passage tomb interior tour, including a simulated recreation of the winter solstice light beam illuminating the inner chamber
- The visitor centre exhibition on Neolithic Boyne Valley culture, included with the tomb ticket
- Knowth, a second, larger passage tomb complex on the same site with the most Neolithic megalithic art in Western Europe (separate tour slot)
- The River Boyne walkway alongside the visitor centre, free to walk without a ticket
Tips for visiting
- Tickets for the tomb interior are timed and can sell out, especially in summer — buying online in advance at heritageireland.ie is strongly recommended over turning up on the day
- There is no direct way to reach the tomb without going through the visitor centre and its shuttle bus; independent walking access is not permitted
- The winter solstice sunrise viewing (21 December) is allocated by public lottery only, entered via the OPW website, not by advance purchase