Doug L.

This was our final stop of our drive around Ireland and it was massively impressive. I booked our tour online which was a must do as there were limited spaces for each. They were sold out within the day and people who showed up without reservations were turned away (happened to the couples in front of us). We arrived about 45 minutes before our scheduled tour due to maps taking us to the wrong address. We did manage to see all the exhibits but could not read everything. From the Centre it was about a 5 minutes before our walk or so to the bus stop to start our tour. Since we were the last one of the day it was easy for us visitors and the guide and driver. One had to be back to the bus stop fairly promptly otherwise one would have to find their own way back to the visitor centre! Newgrange was the final stop and the onsite guide led us up the slightly inclined gravel path. The white rocky face of Newgrange stood out. We were split up into smaller groups and then brought inside. It was tight in spots but we made it in. So astonishing that inside has been dry since it was constructed around 3000 BC. The lights inside were turned off so we could see how the roof box allowed in sunlight but we could only imagine how much brighter it could've been during the winter solstice when the sunlight would illuminate the central chamber. Quite a masterful design. The chamber also held basin stones which had been used to hold ashes and bones. Note that no photos were allowed to be taken inside. After the tour inside, we were left to wander around the perimeter on our own. It was roughly 340 in diameter and rose approximately 36 feet high. As it was built on top of a hill this only made it further stand out. Massive kerbstones surrounded Newgrange and just how they were moved here thousands of years ago would've been quite a feat. Most were decorated but the most intricate designs were the ones in front of the passage entrance and 180 degrees on the other side. It was just surreal being here and experiencing this unique structure that was older than Stonehenge or the Pyramids in Egypt. A must see.

Alex M.

Amazing neolithic pass through tomb- which you can really pass through! We came with a small tour- you could drive yourself- nice large car park. You check in, get a sticker for the time of your trip into the tomb, and then pay your ticket fee- I think ours was 7 euro each (group price). There were several prices- with reductions for children and seniors. You will go out of the visitor center (with a cafe and gift store and history center) and cross the Boyne and make your way to a bus which will take you to the site. Blue buses are assigned based on your sticker time- don't try to cheat. You will arrive at the monument and wait outside the tomb until it is time for your group to go in. Excellent pictures to be had outside and around the tomb- there are standing stones, a stone circle and a great view of the valley. When you enter- DUCK. The stones are low. It is not particularly difficult though. It is also (imo) not that claustrophobic. I generally don't like enclosed places and I was fine with this. The center chamber is truly amazing. It is an engineering marvel- no rain water comes in, to this day! You will see art on the large stone outside and art on the inside as well. They will show you how the light comes into the tomb on the solstice via the "door box"- above the door. I wouldn't have missed a minute of this exceptional experience. The center is handicapped friendly but the tomb is not and cannot be. There's just no way to do it and keep the tomb as pristine as possible. Toilets are nice and there are handicap friendly ones.

Georgie M.

Impressive Brú Na Bóinne and Newgrange are a 5,000 year old burial site, that is older than the Pyramids in Giza, or Stonehedge by over a thousand years. Your visit will need to start at Brú Na Bóinne Visitor Centre which is nearly 10km away. Please don't do as we did and drive here. You will be turned away. The OPW operates a shuttle bus system and they limit the number of visitors each hour. They employed a "time sticker"s which you wear and the bus driver checks. The Parking Lot is huge and clearly much thought went into this arrangement. Enjoy!

Isabella B.

The first settlers in Ireland that were not hunter gatherers arrived around 4000 BCE during the Neolithic period. During this time they built many tombs across the land, with Newgrange being one of the most famous tombs of its type (passage tomb). Newgrange was built around 3200 BCE, older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Giza. The construction is quite impressive considering the time period: this structure predates the introduction of metal and horses. Slabs used to build the tomb were most likely from a site near a river and transported by boat. The purpose of such a grand tomb can only be stipulated but it seemed to serve multiple functions. It served as a place to venerate the dead as well as a final resting site as bone fragments have been found at Newgrange. The most significant caveat of this passage tomb lies in the way Newgrange was arranged and specifically the roofbox located above the entrance. For 17 minutes during the winter solstice the rising sun rays light up the passageway from the entrance to the three chambers at the end. All other times of the year the tomb and passageway is dark. The community believed that this light during the Winter Solstice guided the dead to the afterlife and gave hope to the people still living for the upcoming spring. It is a phenomenon that implies that the builders of Newgrange were very knowledgable about astronomy. Newgrange is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that groups other passage tombs like it such as Knowth and Dowth. Access to the site is through guided tour only and arrangements can be made through the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre (if you're traveling independently) or with established tour groups (Mary Gibbons Newgrange Tours, https://www.yelp.com/biz/mary-gibbons-travel-dublin?hrid=yj8BepG4DJi6Cpl6Ggm7Og). Since I did it with Mary Gibbons I had a scheduled time to visit Newgrange but consequently I didn't get to the Visitor's Centre nor get a chance to visit Knowth. Gotta have a reason to come back here. Once you arrive you are separated into groups that enter the tomb during a certain block of time - this is to help limit access to the site as there is a maximum amount of people that can enter the site a year. A tour guide will mention the significance of Newgrange and demonstrate to tour groups the winter solstice phenomenon using flashlights. It is advised that people wearing big backpacks leave it outside, people with small backpacks/purses carry it in front to avoid damaging the site and for people to mind the entrance as the clearance is rather short. As with many fragile sites, no photography is allowed. I can only tell you so much about Newgrange in a Yelp review. The best way to experience Newgrange is to go to Ireland and see it yourself. Most recommended is during the actual winter solstice but that requires entering your name into a lottery with a couple other thousand people who would also love to experience this annual tradition. I'm glad I was able to see the phenomenon for myself, even if I did go during the summer and had it shown to me with flashlights.

Christina M.

Newgrange is about 45 minutes north of Dublin. The parking lot was very easy to find and had plenty of available spaces. We entered the visitor center, bought our tickets, and were given stickers with a designated tour time on it. You can browse the visitor center which has a history of the area, gift shop, and a small cafe. We grabbed a small bite at the cafe since we had just driven there from Limerick. The food wasn't great but it was good enough to tide us over. Shortly before the assigned time, you walk a short distance to the bus pick up / drop off spot and are put on the bus with everyone else who has the same time as you. A brief drive later, you arrive at Newgrange. After a short introduction speech, you head up to the passage grave. The tour guide explains the significance and then you are further divided into two groups since there is very limited space inside. While one group is inside, the other is free to walk around the structure then you swap. While inside you cannot take any pictures. It's a very tight space with even the smaller sized group and the entrance is very low so watch your head as go in. Backpacks and large purses are left outside to prevent people from brushing against the stones. Before exiting, the guide simulates the winter solstice. The length of the history is really what makes it interesting but there's so little actually known about it (like what all of the engravings mean). For some this is a place you absolutely have to visit, but I don't know that I would go if I had a limited amount of time. It's about a half day trip due to the drive and waiting for your tour time. 3.5 stars.

Michael F.

This prehistoric monument is older than the Pyramids and Stonehenge. It was built during the Neolithic period, and its definitely a must see if you are into history. I guess it was used as a spiritual, astrological and ceremonial place during the ancient times. There are other mounds in Ireland, but this is the most popular one and the biggest. I guess it's because it's known for the illumination of its passage by the winter solstice sun. Our tour guide even recreated the illumination with a flashlight when we were inside the mound. It's not the same as the real deal, but it was good enough. There is no direct access here, so you have to go to Bru Na Boinne Visitor Centre. They shuttle you there by bus, and it cost £3 unless you are a student or a senior. You pay £2.

Asia H.

After studying Irish Folklore and Celtic Civilisation, I was motivated to visit this amazing site! We finally made the mini road trip. It was a short enough drive, and easy to find the place as the roads were clearly marked. Tickets were quite affordable, and I even got the student rate. As we had an hour before our bus left to convey us to the site, we meandered around the exhibit and examined the diagrams and explanations of what had been found at the site. We were in time to catch a short movie that suggested various explanations as to the purpose for the building of the site. We had tea downstairs in the Brambles cafe, which was quite large, and then walked down the path over the lovely Boyne. We hopped on the bus and made the short drive out to the place. Once there, we had to wait outside for a bit while another group was inside the passage. It was chilly and windy atop the hill, but listening to our tour guide's fascinating dialogue on the mysteries of the "tomb" alleviated the coldness. Her well-rounded explanation was perfect for us, as we only had slim knowledge of Newgrange before arriving. She was amiable and made the discussion alluring and interesting. Eventually we entered the passage, crouching and weaving around stones to make our way to the middle room. It was amazing to be inside such an ancient structure, so riddled with myth and legend that passed down through the generations. Our guide explained that past the reinforcements on the walls and lower ceiling, there had been no changes, and the space remained much as it was all the years ago when it was first created. With the lights off to demonstrate the light shining through the interior with the alignment of the sun, it was stiflingly dark and silent- amazing! I was a bit disappointed (even though I understood) that we weren't permitted to take pictures inside. I also wish that we would have had more time inside the passage. Our group seemed quite large (not sure what the norm is) so maybe we would have benefitted from a smaller one. Amazing experience!

Emily C.

Having not been here since I was a childer, I was keen to make use of the good weather over the weekend, get out and about and explore somewhere I remembered being cool years ago, that needed a bit of a memory jog. Newgrange is only 50 mins drive up the M1 from Dublin, so that was The One. I must say, it's all done so well. It's cheap - 11 euro for an adult to see both Newgrange and Nowth. You are taken round both sites by two different guides, which takes around three hours. I have to admit that I baulked a little at the three hours - I have the attention span of a goldfish and it seemed that it may be more of a chore than a pleasurable way of spending my time. I needn't have worried. The guides really only talk for 20 - 30 minutes at each site, and they really make it so interesting. It's a very brief run-through of the history of the place, so don't expect massive detail, but really this is mainly because they still don't know that much about it. They give you the facts, and the likely possibilities, then it's up to you to wander around, take it all in, and draw your own conclusions. One thing is for sure - these structures were built about 500-1000 years before the pyramids. With stones that weighed 1-5 tonnes, from up to 60 miles away. In a time in which the land was 95% forested, and before the invention of the wheel!! Pretty damn impressive in anyone's book!

Tim L.

Great tour of the Newgrange monument built in the Neolithic era - 500 years older than the Giza pyramids! The guide was fantastic and regaled us in its history and various theories of how it was used. Upon stepping into the monument, I was amazed at how structurally sound it was having survived over 5 millenniums in the Irish weather. Definitely worth a visit but make sure to come early to avoid the crowds!

Chad H.

Awesome. I love old crap, and this is about as old as it gets. 5000 years old! I found this to be really fascinating. Newgrange is a passage tomb, and the entrance is perfectly aligned with sunrise on winter solstice. Very cool. The tour starts at the Bru Na Boinne visitor center, where you take a bus to the entrance of the tomb. From there, a guide gives you some history and background on the tomb, then takes you inside. Warning: not for the claustrophobic or morbidly obese. Inside, everyone piles into the tomb, which is entirely made out of stone and was used to store ashes from cremated dead. Then, they turn off the lights and simulate what it's like on December 21 at sunrise, but I'm sure the simulation doesn't hold a candle to the real thing. Anyway, if you're in Dublin, it's more than worth your time to take a day trip up to Bru Na Boinne and check out the tomb at Newgrange.

Mo L.

Brú na Boinne is the area which means palace of the Boinne. Newgrange is the passage tomb. It predates the pyramids at Giza and Stonehenge by 500-1000 yrs. - once you park at the visitors center, which happens to be nicely set up you pick your time and head to the site on their bus. -There are also toilets, gift shop & cafe in the visitors center