Going to Newgrange

Geno · Guru

Going to Newgrange

Michele Erdvig · Host

Last time I was at Newgrange it was mid-morning and I had no problems on a weekday. Only a certain number of people can enter the Newgrange tumulus because of its size, hence the limit per tour. You get your tickets at the Bru na Boinne center and they put you on the list for the tour of Newgrange and/or Knowth (each is a separate tour). You get a reservation for a certain time and have to meet the bus that takes you to either place. The bus then returns and drops you off at the center again. If going on both tours you then pick up a separate bus at the center for the next tour. It is a little bit of a walk to the bus pick-up so give yourself 10 minutes + to get there.

If you have a wait for your tour you can visit the center and/or cafe. If you do all the tours and visit the center I would plan on at least 3 hours, if not more. If you are interested in Irish history, archaeology, etc. you will enjoy it. The inside of Newgrange is claustrophobic.

Geno · Guru

Our plan is to do Newgrange, not Knowth, and get there when it opens. We will be traveling there from Cashel, so it looks like if we get an early start it should be doable. Perhaps a 2.5 hour drive?

Thanks

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

When we visited, my wife couldn't make the final commitment to actually go inside, so she remained outside while our tour went in. She still claims the visit was WELL worth taking, though, if only for the grounds and scenery. I was delighted with the interior tours. They turn off the lights and use a spotlight to simulate the Winter Solstice event once everyone is in the central chamber.

Since 'Lottery Luck' has never smiled on me -- the simulation is likely the only time I am likely to see such a sight! biggrin biggrin

senzar · Member

If you are visiting Newgrange during the peak tourist season you should definitely plan on getting there early in the day. Weekends are very busy. In the off-season months the visitor count drops (excluding holidays and the dates at and near the Winter Solstice, when the light phenomenon inside the stone chamber at Newgrange occurs), so you don't have to be as concerned about an early arrival. The Equinox periods, both Spring and Autumn, can also be very busy.

Knowth, which is accessed just like Newgrange from The Brú na Bóinne Visitors Centre, is an incredible site that I highly recommend seeing. You cannot go deep inside the Great Mound at Knowth like you get to do at Newgrange, but you can enter an area just inside the mound where you can look down the eastern passage - this is well worth seeing/doing. The rock art on the stones that surround the Great Mound at Knowth is fantastic. A definite must for anyone who has an interest in archaeology and/or the myth and mystery of Ireland's ancient past. Here are two of my favorite websites for information about Newgrange, Knowth, and other Neolithic period archaeological sites in Ireland: http://www.carrowkeel.com/sites/boyne/knowth2.html and http://www.megalithicireland.com/Knowth.htm

If you plan on visiting both Newgrange and Knowth, plan at least 3-4 hours for your visit. The Visitor Center is very informative and worth seeing - great bookshop too. Also, the café at the Visitor Center has great food (exceptionally yummy desserts) and very reasonable prices. Do note that unlike Newgrange, which is open all year (except a few days at/around Christmas), Knowth is only open to visitors from the first part of April through mid-October.