Dublin Full-Day Tour through Boyne Valley

About This Tour

County Meath sits just north of Dublin and holds more layers of history than most countries manage in their entirety. This private, 6-8 hour day trip from Dublin takes you through six of the Boyne Valley’s most significant sites, from a 12th-century Cistercian abbey to a prehistoric passage tomb older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza.

Remote Ireland Tours runs this as a small group experience, focused on the kinds of places that genuinely reward a knowledgeable guide rather than a quick drive-by.

What’s Included

• Private transportation
• Bottled water
• Parking fees

What’s Not Included

• Lunch
• Any suggested locations not on the itinerary
• Gratuities
• Newgrange guided tour and exhibition (the exterior visit is included; the interior guided tour and exhibition are separate and not part of this tour)

Itinerary

1. Mellifont Abbey, County Louth - Founded in 1142 by Saint Malachy, Archbishop of Armagh, Mellifont was the first Cistercian abbey in Ireland. Set near Drogheda, the ruins are substantial and atmospheric. (45 min)
2. Newgrange, County Meath - Built around 3200 BC, Newgrange predates both Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza. It’s part of the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside Knowth and Dowth. Note: the Newgrange guided tour and exhibition are not included in this tour. (180 min)
3. Hill of Slane, County Meath - According to tradition, Saint Patrick lit the first Paschal fire on this hill in 433 AD, in direct challenge to the pagan high kings at nearby Tara. It’s considered one of the pivotal moments in the spread of Christianity in Ireland. (35 min)
4. Hill of Tara, County Meath - The ancient seat of power in Ireland, Tara holds a special place in both the country’s ancient mythology and its more recent history as an independent nation. (45 min)
5. Bective Abbey, County Meath - A well-preserved Cistercian abbey on the banks of the River Boyne, founded in 1147 by Murchad O’Melaghlin, King of Meath. It was the second Cistercian abbey in Ireland, established just five years after Mellifont. (35 min)
6. Trim Castle, County Meath - The largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland, built over 30 years by Hugh de Lacy and his son Walter in the late 12th century. The three-storey cruciform keep, curtain wall, moat, and defensive towers are all still standing. Trim Castle served as the administrative centre of the Lordship of Meath and has hosted King John and Richard II. It’s also been a filming location for Braveheart, and today it’s managed by the Irish Government and open to the public. (120 min)

Good to Know

• Prams and strollers welcome
• Specialised infant seats available
• Service animals allowed
• Public transport nearby
• A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended
• Private tour, available in English

Local Tips

Wear layers and bring waterproof shoes. The Boyne Valley is gorgeous in any weather, but several of the sites involve walking on uneven ground and grass, and the Irish weather has its own plans regardless of the forecast. You’ll be glad of the layers by the time you reach Trim.

The 180 minutes at Newgrange is well spent. Even without the interior guided tour, there’s a lot to take in at the exterior, and your guide will give you the context that makes Newgrange make sense. The spiral carvings on the kerbstones alone are worth quiet time. If you want to add the interior guided tour, book that separately through the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre in advance - spaces are limited and it sells out.

Trim Castle is often the surprise highlight of the day. Most people come for Newgrange and leave talking about Trim. The scale of it catches you off guard, and with two hours there’s plenty of time to explore the grounds properly. Pick up a coffee in the town before you head in - Trim is a pleasant little town and worth a short wander.

Bring lunch or plan to buy it in Trim. There are good options near the castle. Lunch isn’t included in the tour, so it’s worth planning ahead rather than discovering you’re hungry in the middle of a field at Bective Abbey.

Hill of Tara is best on a clear day. On a fine day you can see a significant distance across the Midlands from the summit, and the scale of the place - the ancient earthworks, the standing stones - becomes much more readable. Worth checking the forecast if you’re choosing between tour dates.

Nearby on IrelandMe

• Dublin in a Day Private Tour: Book of Kells and Guinness Storehouse
• Dublin IRA History Tour with Skip-the-line GPO Museum Ticket
• Dublin Highlights 3-Hour Private Tour by Foot or Bike