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County Meath 1 Day Tour
Bru na Boinne Tourist Office, Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre, Donore, Meath, Republic of Ireland Phone: T: +353(0)419880305About
The Co. Meath One Day Tour. Leaving Dublin on the M1 northbound, take the exit for Duleek ( just south of the town of Drogheda ) and then on to Donore and the site of Brú Na Bóinne, Newgrange ( approx. 10kms from Drogheda ).County Meath is known as the Royal County and derives its name from the 2nd Century AD as a territory for the High Kings. There is an abundance of historic monuments within the present day county, testifying to the ancient importance of this region. King Henry VI spent a night in Donore before the fateful Battle of the Boyne. In 1429 King Henry VI granted £10 to every castle built in the counties of Louth, Meath, Kildare and Dublin provided they were of specific dimensions and it is likely that Donore Castle is one of these. Brú Na Bóinne Interpretive centre. In this centre you can explore the history of Newgrange, Knowth, Dowth and the Boyne Valley. You start the tour from the centre by getting a shuttle bus to the monument(s). Newgrange is a spectacular passage grave built between 2700 and 3500 B.C. Recently excavated and restored 1962 to 1975. The passage graves at Newgrange belong to an era when stone was the only method used for tools and weapons. The tour of Newgrange takes you deep into its chambers, a 19 metre walk. The chamber roof is corbelled, a method to keep out the rain and damp weather. The passage opens out into a central chamber with three adjoining chambers to the west, east and north, each with large chiseled stone basins occupying the floor area which was thought to have been used for holding human remains burnt or unburnt along with funeral offerings to the gods. A most remarkable feature of Newgrange is the roof box above the entrance. It is aligned so as to catch the first rays of the rising sun on the morning of the winter solstice on the 21st of December. The light penetrates down the passageway and illuminates the inner chamber for a short interval and is re - created for the visitor throughout the year. This is but a short introduction on Newgrange, the full meaning of its creation is explained in detail and is visually apparent when visited.There is a coffee shop which will cater for a mid morning snack, either before or after the tour in the interpretive centre. The tourist information office is located next to the coffee shop and has an array of literature and gifts for the visitor, the friendly staff will be there to answer any questions on the local area that the visitor may have.
