Boyne Valley Megalithic Passage Tombs
The Megalithic Passage Tombs of Newgrange, Knowth, Dowth, Fourknocks, Loughcrew and Tara are located in present-day County Meath, at the heart of Ireland's Ancient East. These remarkable prehistoric monuments were constructed by Neolithic farming communities and represent some of the most important archaeological sites in Europe.
The great Boyne Valley mounds at Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth were built around 3200 BC, making them older than Stonehenge in England and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, and they continue to offer valuable insight into the beliefs, engineering skills and ceremonial life of Ireland’s earliest settled communities.
Knowth Megalithic Passage Tomb in the Boyne Valley - Ireland's Ancient East
Built by Neolithic farming communities about 5,000 years ago, the passage tombs demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of astronomy and seasonal cycles. They have clear astronomical alignments such as the Winter Solstice Sunrise at Newgrange and the Equinox Sunrise at Loughcrew, where sunlight penetrates the chambers at key moments of the year.
Judging from the splendour and magnificence of Newgrange and Knowth it is likely that these temples of the ancestors were places of astrological, spiritual, religious and ceremonial importance, much as present day cathedrals are places of worship where dignitaries may be laid to rest.
Newgrange Megalithic Passage Tomb in the Boyne Valley - Ireland's Ancient East
There is a lively debate about whether these wonderful megalithic structures were built primarily as burial tombs, sacred temples or astronomical observatories. While passage tomb is the traditional archaeological description for Knowth, Newgrange and similar structures, chambered cairn or passage mound are the descriptions favoured by those who consider the term passage tomb too narrow.
The large stones surrounding and inside the Passage Tombs are decorated with Megalithic Art such as spirals, concentric circles, triangles, zigzags and symbols that have been interpreted as representing the sun or the moon. These carvings were created over 5,000 years ago and remain among the most distinctive artistic expressions of prehistoric Europe.
Among the most famous examples is the iconic tri-spiral motif carved inside the chamber at Newgrange, a powerful and instantly recognisable symbol of Irish prehistory. The precise meaning of this art is still debated, but it is often thought to reflect spiritual beliefs, seasonal cycles or observations of the natural world, adding a deeper symbolic layer to these remarkable Neolithic monuments.
Irish passage tombs tend to occur in clusters traditionally described as a Necropolis or cemetery. The Boyne cluster includes Newgrange, Knowth, Dowth and Townleyhall. The other great clusters in County Meath are on the hills around Loughcrew.
Newgrange Megalithic Passage Tomb - UNESCO World Heritage Site
The ancient Boyne Valley passage tombs at Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth form part of the UNESCO World Heritage Property of Brú na Bóinne. These remarkable monuments are among Ireland’s most important archaeological sites and welcome large numbers of visitors each year, with access carefully managed to help protect the monuments and preserve the visitor experience. The sites and Visitor Centre are managed by the OPW (Office of Public Works).
For information on Knowth Tours, including guided visits led by the onsite OPW guides, as well as private day tours with transport from Dublin to Newgrange, Knowth and the wider Boyne Valley.
Newgrange is best known for the illumination of its
passage and chamber by the winter solstice sun.
Newgrange is open to the public with controlled access to the passage and chamber.
Tours of Newgrange start at the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre
located near the village of Donore, Co. Meath.
Knowth has two passages and is surrounded by seventeen
satellite cairns. Knowth is open to the public however there is no public
access to the interior passages and chambers. Tours of Knowth also start at the
Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre.
Dowth is the only one of the three large Brú na Bóinne
Passage Tombs which is not accessible from the Visitor Centre
situated on the south bank of the Boyne river. Visitors to Dowth can drive directly
to the site on the north bank of the river, a few minutes drive from the N51 Slane / Drogheda road.
Fourknocks with its short passage leading into
a wide pear-shaped chamber is in similar style to Tombs in Portugal. Just inside
the main chamber to the left of the entrance is one of the few possible representations
of a human face from the Neolithic Period in ancient Ireland.
Loughcrew Cairns form the largest complex of
Megalithic structures in Ireland. The Cairns contain symbolic engravings called Megalithic Art, similar
in style to Newgrange and Knowth. Like other Passage Tombs in ancient Ireland, some of the cairns have
astrological alignments.
The Hill of Tara was the seat of the High Kings of Ireland in the
first millennium AD however Tara is also the site of a Passage Tomb known as
the Mound of the Hostages dating back to around 3,000 BC.
Private Tour to Newgrange, Knowth, and the Boyne Valley
Embark on a journey through time and heritage with our exclusive private tour to Newgrange, Knowth, and other captivating sites nestled in the enchanting Boyne Valley. Immerse yourself in the rich history and mystique of these World Heritage sites, where ancient wonders come to life.
Newgrange and Knowth, both designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites, stand as testament to the ingenuity of our ancestors. Dating back over 5,000 years, these Neolithic passage tombs are older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza. Step inside the chambers of Newgrange, where the winter solstice illuminates a narrow passage, casting an ethereal light on the ancient carvings within. Explore Knowth, adorned with megalithic art, and unravel the mysteries of a bygone era.
Visit the megalithic passage tombs at Newgrange and Knowth with the on-site guide. These are UNESCO World Heritage sites so you will be joining others on the official tour. Beyond the renowned Newgrange and Knowth, our private tour takes you on an intimate exploration of lesser-known gems in the Boyne Valley.
Leave the logistics to us as you embark on a stress-free exploration of the Boyne Valley. Our private tours ensure a personalized and comfortable experience from the moment we pick you up at your accommodation to the time we drop you back.
More Ancient Places and Local Information.