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Private Tour of Newgrange and The Hill of Tara
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From €650 per person
The Boyne Valley in County Meath holds some of the oldest human-made structures on earth, and this private 6-hour tour gives you a proper guided look at them. The main focus is Newgrange, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating to around 3,200 BC - older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. From there you’ll visit the Hill of Tara, the ceremonial seat of the High Kings of Ireland.
Your guide is knowledgeable and flexible - this is a private tour, so if something catches your interest on the day, just say so and they’ll adjust the itinerary around it. The tour can also be extended for additional hours if you want more time.
On the return journey, there’s a possibility of a stopover in Howth village, a fishing village with roots going back to 819 AD when Norse Vikings arrived in its bay. Your guide will confirm the day’s plan before you set off.
Newgrange - 2 hours
Newgrange is a passage tomb built around 3,200 BC and recognised by UNESCO for its outstanding historical value. Tickets are required in advance and follow a first-come, first-served system - once you book the tour, the team will send you instructions on how to get them.
Hill of Tara - 1 hour
The Hill of Tara in County Meath was the political and spiritual centre of ancient Ireland, where the High Kings held court. It was a significant ceremonial site, associated with the gods and with the concept of reaching the afterlife. Saint Patrick is said to have visited Tara when he came to Ireland, and your guide will share the stories of the ancient Celtic kings who ruled here.
Four Knocks - 30 minutes (optional)
Four Knocks is an alternative stop if Newgrange tickets aren’t available, or as an additional visit if time allows. It’s a passage tomb built roughly 5,000 years ago, with a short entrance hall that opens into a wide, pear-shaped chamber with three smaller side rooms. Excavated over two years starting in 1950, the original wooden roof was replaced with a concrete one in 1952.
Hill of Slane - 30 minutes (optional)
The Hill of Slane in County Meath is where Saint Patrick is said to have lit the Paschal fire in defiance of the pagan High King, a defining moment in the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. The hilltop holds the ruins of a 15th-century friary and offers panoramic views across the Boyne Valley.
Flexible remainder of tour - up to 2 hours
As a private tour, your guide works with you on the day to make the best use of your time in the Boyne Valley. Newgrange takes approximately 2 hours. The other stops are optional depending on time and your interests. If you’d like to extend the tour beyond the standard 6 hours, additional time can be arranged for an extra fee.
Book Newgrange tickets as soon as you confirm. The tickets follow a first-come, first-served system and sell out well in advance, particularly in summer. Once you receive the booking link from the tour team, act on it the same day. The tour operator sends it quickly, but the window can close faster than you’d expect.
Make the Hill of Slane optional stop count. If your guide takes you to Slane, the village below is worth a few minutes on its own - four Georgian houses built symmetrically at a crossroads, one at each compass point. The hill itself is a 3km return walk from the village and the ruins of the 15th-century friary on top give you a clear view across the whole Boyne Valley. On a clear day you can see why this hilltop was chosen for a defiant signal fire. The walk takes about an hour and the path is straightforward.
Howth on the return journey. If your guide confirms a Howth stopover, it’s a genuine fishing village on Dublin Bay - trawlers, a working harbour, and seafood restaurants that source directly across the pier. The 6km cliff path loops around Howth Head with Wicklow Mountains visible across the bay, but even 30 minutes at the harbour is worth it. King Sitric and Aqua are the serious seafood spots; Beshoff’s on the pier is the fish-and-chips version.
The Boyne Valley rewards slow travel. The sites on this tour are spread across a low, lush valley where the landscape is as much a part of the story as the monuments. Ask your guide to take the minor roads where possible - the R153 through the farmland near Tara is unhurried and the hedgerow views are a good contrast to the archaeological grandeur.