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Aerial photographs

Aerial views of the Boyne Valley passage tombs at Newgrange, Knowth, Dowth and Fourknocks, including Dowth Henge in the wider landscape.

Newgrange

Newgrange was built about 3200 BC. The kidney shaped mound covers an area of over one acre and is surrounded by 97 kerbstones, some of which are richly decorated with megalithic art. The 19 metre (62 ft) long inner passage leads to a cruciform chamber with a corbelled roof. It is estimated that the construction of the passage tomb at Newgrange would have taken a workforce of 300 at least 20 years. More about Newgrange.

Aerial view of Newgrange with white quartz facade, grass mound and hedged enclosure in the Boyne Valley fields. Newgrange megalithic passage tomb.
Aerial view of Newgrange passage tomb in the Boyne Valley. Newgrange megalithic passage tomb in the Boyne Valley.
Aerial view of Newgrange in Ireland's Ancient East. Newgrange megalithic passage tomb, Ireland's Ancient East.
Aerial photograph of Newgrange UNESCO World Heritage Site. Newgrange, UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Aerial view of Newgrange prehistoric monument in County Meath. Newgrange prehistoric monument in County Meath.
Aerial view of Newgrange, the best known Irish passage tomb. Newgrange is the best known Irish passage tomb and dates to about 3200 BC.

Knowth

Knowth was built over 5,000 years ago, around 3200 BC, during the same broad period as Newgrange and Dowth. The Great Mound at Knowth is larger than Newgrange in ground area and is surrounded by 19 smaller satellite mounds.

The Great Mound has two passages with entrances on opposite sides. The western passage is approximately 32 metres (105 feet) long, with the passage and chamber together extending over 34 metres (112 feet). The eastern passage is approximately 35 metres (115 feet) long and leads into a cruciform chamber, bringing the tomb's total length to over 40 metres (131 feet). More about Knowth.

Aerial view of the Knowth great mound with satellite tombs and cattle grazing in nearby fields. Knowth great mound and satellite tombs.
Aerial view of Knowth with paved visitor paths, satellite mounds and the visitor building. Knowth megalithic passage tomb, Ireland's Ancient East.
Aerial view labelled Newgrange in the foreground and Knowth across the Boyne Valley fields. Newgrange with Knowth in the distance, Boyne Valley.

Dowth

Dowth, the Fairy Mound of Darkness, is about the same size as Newgrange and Knowth and was built in the same period over 5,000 years ago. The mound was subjected to a very unprofessional excavation in 1847. Two passage tombs were discovered, but the mound was severely damaged in the process. The passage tombs are much less spectacular than Newgrange or Knowth, with shorter passages and lower roofs. More about Dowth.

Aerial view of the Dowth mound with a large tree on the slope and farm buildings nearby. Dowth megalithic passage tomb.
Aerial view of Dowth passage tomb in Ireland's Ancient East. Dowth megalithic passage tomb, Ireland's Ancient East.
Aerial view of the grass-covered Dowth mound with a mature tree on the lower slope. Dowth passage tomb mound.
Aerial view of Dowth Henge, a circular earthwork in green Boyne Valley fields. Dowth Henge, Boyne Valley.
Aerial view of Dowth Henge in Ireland's Ancient East. Dowth Henge, Ireland's Ancient East.

Fourknocks

Aerial view of the grass-covered Fourknocks passage tomb mound with fenced path and entrance. Fourknocks megalithic passage tomb, Ireland's Ancient East.
Aerial view labelled Fourknocks I and Fourknocks II among hedgerows and flowering bushes. Fourknocks I and Fourknocks II.
Aerial view of Fourknocks I, II and III in the Irish countryside. Fourknocks I, Fourknocks II and Fourknocks III.

More aerial images: Newgrange aerials, Newgrange helicopter photos, and Knowth aerials.

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