Newgrange or Rock of Cashel

haynes9 · Veteran Member

Newgrange or Rock of Cashel

EngagingKate · Senior Member

Mark,

Just to be annoying, I will answer your question with a question. Which do you most prefer to see: monastic/castle sites or megalithic/Bronze Age sites?

Newgrange and Rock of Cashel are both historically important to Ireland, but they are completely different experiences!

If I could only visit one, I would probably choose Rock of Cashel, because I lean more toward more 'modern' history. If you do visit the Rock, be sure to visit Hore Abbey (just down the hill and visible from the Rock) as well.

If you decide to go to Bru na Boinne to visit Newgrange, I would suggest that you visit Knowth as well. If I only had time to visit one or the other (Newgrange or Knowth), I would always choose Knowth. When Newgrange was first excavated, they didn't know as much about the cairns and passage tombs as they did when they finally excavated Knowth, so it is more accurate representation of what the passage tombs probably actually looked like. Plus, there are several mounds at Knowth. A plus for Newgrange: You can go all the way inside the passage to the inner chamber.

That being said, I would probably opt for neither of those (Newgrange or Knowth) and head west to go visit Loughcrew! (I *told* you I'm annoying...)

I think that's all I want to say. If I think of anything else, I'll be back! ;)

Slan,

Kate

Michele Erdvig · Host

Mark,

Like Kate says it depends on what type of thing you are most interested in. A few things to note. A visit to Newgrange, Knowth and the museum and heritage center will take about 4 hours, if not more. If you are claustrophobic it may prevent you from entering the long, narrow passageway into the center of Newgrange. You can see the ROC in an hour or so. Currently the ROC is paritally under scaffolding during restoration work on Cormac's Chapel. Obviously photos of it will not be as "picturesque" with the scaffolding in place.

Michele