Guided Tours of Slane Castle - Heritage Week 2026

Every August, Slane Castle opens its doors for free during National Heritage Week - and it is one of the most rewarding open-door events in the Boyne Valley. These guided tours take you inside a castle that has been lived in, loved, and occasionally scandalised for over three centuries, giving a very different experience to the usual pay-and-wander visit. If you have ever driven past the gates on the N2 and wondered what is actually in there, this is the week to find out.

What to expect

The tours cover two threads that could not be more different in character. The first is the Conyngham family story - an Ulster-Scots dynasty who acquired the Slane estate in 1701 following the Williamite Confiscations. The castle you see today was built from 1785, its design a collaboration between three of the most eminent architects of the age: James Wyatt, James Gandon and Francis Johnston. The grounds were landscaped by Capability Brown, and the parkland still shows the shape of his hand. The story takes in a royal connection too: King George IV stayed at the castle in 1821 during his much-remarked friendship with Elizabeth, the first Marchioness Conyngham.

The second thread is the rock concert history. Since 16 August 1981, when Thin Lizzy played to 18,000 people in the natural bowl below the castle, Slane has hosted U2, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, and dozens more. The site is peculiarly well suited to it - the river valley acts as an amphitheatre - and the guides are well placed to tell the stories behind the gigs.

Tours are free as part of the Heritage Week open-doors programme and run across the week (16-23 August 2026). Check heritageweek.ie for the specific tour times and any booking requirements as the date approaches, as some Heritage Week events fill quickly.

Getting there

Slane is on the N2, about 48 km north of Dublin and 14 km west of Drogheda - roughly an hour from the city in normal traffic. The castle entrance is on the southern edge of the village. Bus Eireann serves Slane on the 188 route from Drogheda, which connects to trains from Dublin Connolly. Parking is available at the castle grounds. The village itself is compact and walkable.

While you’re in Slane

The village sits at one of the four crossroads in Ireland said to have been planned to give a great house a long vista in every direction - the theory is debated, but the four identical Georgian houses at the crossroads are real and worth a look. The Hill of Slane, where St Patrick is said to have lit his Paschal fire in 433 AD, is a short walk away and gives a wide view over the Boyne Valley. There is more to see in Slane and across Co. Meath.

Good to know

• Tours run during Heritage Week 2026: 16-23 August; various times (check heritageweek.ie closer to the date)
• Free entry as part of the Heritage Week open-doors programme
• Book or confirm via heritageweek.ie - some tours require advance registration
• Slane Castle Distillery operates separately and charges for its own tours year-round
• The castle grounds involve some uneven terrain; contact the organisers for accessibility queries