Boyne Valley - Places to Visit

Newgrange Aerial View - Ireland's Ancient East Newgrange Aerial View - Boyne Valley, Ireland's Ancient East

Ardbraccan - a place of Christian worship since the 7th century.

Ardmulchan - The ruins of Ardmulchan Church are on a magnificent elevated site overlooking the River Boyne. Dating from the 13th Century, the church's remains include a square bell tower.

Battle of the Boyne - visitor centre on the site of the 1690 battle between King James and King William.

Bective Abbey - Cistercian abbey on the River Boyne founded in 1147.

The Boyne Canal system - a series of canals running parallel to the River Boyne from Oldbridge (Battle of the Boyne site) to the town of Navan.

Danestown Ringfort - an Anglo-Norman Ringwork Castle consisting of a raised platform enclosed by two banks with an intervening fosse.

Dowth - part of the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site. The passage and chamber at Dowth are aligned to the setting sun on the evenings around the Winter Solstice.

Drogheda - a medieval gateway town to the Boyne Valley. Saint Laurence's Gate is a barbican which was built in the 13th century as part of the walled fortifications of the town.

Duleek Abbey - one of the great churches of the 12th century, St Mary's Abbey, was built by the Augustinians on lands presented to them by Hugh de Lacy, overlord of the Boyne Valley.

Fore Abbey - built in the 13th century by Hugh de Lacy the Norman Lord of Meath. Many of the buildings that remain today are from the 15th century.

Fourknocks - a passage tomb built around the same time as Newgrange.

Francis Ledwidge Museum near the village of Slane is the birthplace of World War I poet Francis Ledwidge. The 19th century farm labourer's cottage houses the poet's works and artefacts from World War I.

Knowth is a Stone Age Passage Tomb in the Boyne Valley and with Newgrange and Dowth makes up the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hill of Slane - The burial place of king Sláine in Irish mythology, St. Patrick is said to have lit the first paschal fire on the hill.

Hill of Tara - seat of the High Kings of Celtic Ireland, it has monuments dating back to the stone age about 5000 years ago.

Jack Stones - three large limestone boulders at Greenanstown, possibly the remains of a Bronze Age Stone Circle.

Kells - Celtic Crosses, Round Tower, St. Columbkille's House.

Kildemock Jumping Church - the wall of the Church is said to have jumped in 1715. Local legend says the wall moved to exclude the grave of an excommunicated man outside the building.

Labyrinth - walk a labyrinth designed to reflect the megalithic spirals at Newgrange.

Loughcrew - cluster of Megalithic Tombs on the Carnbane East Hill. The chamber at Cairn T is aligned to the rising sun on the days around the spring and autumn equinoxes.

Mellifont Abbey - Cistercian Abbey founded in 1142, was a model for other Cistercian abbeys built in Ireland.

Monasterboice - 10th century Round Tower and High Crosses.

Moylagh Castle - The fortified Tower with attached Church was build in 1470, the Tower is now the dominant feature with very little of the church or stone castle remaining.

Newgrange is a Stone Age passage tomb built 5,200 years ago which makes it older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. The passage and chamber at Newgrange are aligned with the rising sun on the mornings around the Winter Solstice.

Sheela-na-Gig - set in the wall of a farm yard at Balgeeth, Ardcath, Co. Meath.

Slane Castle - Historical tour of the Castle, home to the Conyngham family since the 18th century.

Trim Castle is the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland. It was built by Hugh de Lacy who was granted the lands of the Kingdom of Meath by King Henry II of England in 1172.



Boyne Valley Guides in PDF format.

Boyne Valley Gardens - Walled Gardens, Woodland Walks, Rose Gardens and Nature Trails.

Boyne Valley Whiskey.



Ancient Ireland's Mysterious Tombs, an article printed in the New York Times.

John L. Stoddard's account of his visit to Newgrange and the Hill of Tara in 1901.

Boyne Valley Tour as described in 'The Charm of Ireland', published in 1914.




Boyne Valley Map
1.  Brú na Bóinne - Stone age Passage Tombs at Newgrange, Knowth & Dowth)
2.  Hill of Tara - Seat of the Celtic Kings of Ireland.
3.  Trim Castle - the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland.
4.  Loughcrew- cluster of Megalithic Tombs on the Carnbane East Hill.
5.  Kells - Celtic Crosses, Round Tower, St. Columbkille's House.
6.  Mellifont Abbey - Cistercian Abbey founded in 1142.
7.  Monasterboice - Early Christian site with round tower and 10th century Celtic High Crosses.
8.  Battle of the Boyne - the site of the 1690 battle between King James and King William.


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