Brú na Bóinne is one of the most extraordinary stretches of land in Ireland - a Neolithic landscape holding some of the oldest monuments on earth. On this private chauffeur tour from Dublin, you’ll visit the passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth, both built around 3200 BC and together housing the largest collection of megalithic art in Western Europe.
Your day includes a guided tour of Newgrange with access to the chamber itself, plus a guided tour of Knowth with its exhibitions and the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre (chamber access not included at Knowth). There’s also a stop at Trim Castle, the great Norman fortress dating from 1176, where you can walk the grounds or take a tour of the castle.
One important note: Newgrange entrance tickets need to be booked online at least 30 days before your tour date - tickets are €18 per person and include the guided tour of the monument. Your driver will coordinate pick-up from Dublin to suit your schedule.
What’s Included
Private transportation with driver
All tolls and taxes
WiFi on board
Bottled water
Air-conditioned vehicle
What’s Not Included
Lunch
Entrance fees to the sites (Newgrange tickets are €18 per person, bookable online)
Gratuities (15% is the local recommendation, and genuinely appreciated)
Itinerary
Newgrange - The ancient passage tomb at Newgrange dates back 5,000 years and the experience of stepping inside is hard to put into words. Allow around 60 minutes here.
Knowth - You can add a visit to the tomb at Knowth as part of the day. The exhibition centre brings the whole Neolithic landscape to life. Allow around 3 hours for both Knowth and the visitor centre.
Trim Castle - Built in 1176, this is a beautifully maintained walled Norman castle. You can walk the grounds or take the guided castle tour. Allow around 30 minutes.
A lunch stop is included along the way - bring your own or eat at one of the local spots nearby.
Good to Know
This is a private tour, so it runs to your schedule
Pre-booking Newgrange tickets online at least 30 days in advance is essential - they sell out
Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller
Specialised infant seats are available on request
Suitable for all fitness levels
Tour starts and ends in Dublin - email your pick-up details when booking
Conducted in English
Local Tips
Book your Newgrange tickets the moment you confirm this tour. Thirty days is the minimum; sixty is safer in summer. The tickets include the guided chamber tour, which is the whole point - without them you are looking at the mound from the outside.
The Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre is the logical starting point for the day. The interpretive exhibition there puts the Neolithic landscape into context before you walk to either monument. Allow 45 minutes for the centre itself before your guided tour slot.
Trim is a lovely heritage town to wander for your lunch break. The grounds of Trim Castle are free to enter - the paid guided tour of the castle interior takes about 45 minutes and is worth the extra time if you want to go inside. There are cafés and pubs along the main street for food.
This is a private tour, so talk to your driver about pacing. If you want to linger at Newgrange and keep Trim shorter, that’s easy to arrange. The 7-8 hour window gives you room to breathe without rushing any of the three sites.
