National park · Ireland
Brú Na Bóinne Archaeological ParkBrú na Bóinne
Book a timed ticket online before you travel: Newgrange interior slots (about 700 a day) sell out days ahead in summer, and you cannot walk to the mounds without a tour from the visitor centre.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
8 km²3 sq mi
approximate
Established
1993
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen area; it sets its own entry rules and a Schengen visa is not valid for Ireland. Check Irish immigration for your passport.
- Ireland ↗Ireland and the UK form the Common Travel Area, with no routine checks on the land border. Visitors who are not Irish or British must still meet UK rules (including the UK ETA where it applies) to enter Northern Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Driving is on the left; rural roads are narrow with hedges and few passing places.
At a glance
- Country
- Ireland
- Area
- 8 km²3 sq mi
- The fenced archaeological park around the visitor centre and the three mounds; the wider World Heritage property along the Boyne is larger (check).
- Established
- 1993
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Drogheda
Brú na Bóinne is the bend of the River Boyne in County Meath where three great Neolithic mounds — Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth — were raised around 3200 BC, older than the pyramids at Giza and Stonehenge. The core is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1993) run by the Office of Public Works as a guided-only archaeological park: every visit starts at the visitor centre on the south bank, crosses the river on foot and continues by shuttle bus. Newgrange is the only mound you can enter, and its chamber slots are capped, so the ticket you buy decides your day. There are no long hikes here; the walking is short, between monuments, and the real planning is timing and booking.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1993Brú na Bóinne — Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne.
Size and age
8 km²3 sq mi · national park since 1993
The fenced archaeological park around the visitor centre and the three mounds; the wider World Heritage property along the Boyne is larger (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Drogheda.
Why go
- Stand inside a 5,000-year-old passage tomb at Newgrange and see the roof box that catches the midwinter sunrise.
- Knowth has the largest collection of megalithic art in Western Europe, seen from a viewing point on the mound.
- The visitor centre exhibition explains the whole bend of the Boyne before you cross to the sites, and has a wheelchair-accessible replica of the Newgrange chamber.
- It is an easy day trip from Dublin or Drogheda, about an hour by road.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanQuiet; short daylight, last tours early
- FebQuiet; visitor centre open daily
- MarMild; school groups on weekdays
- AprLonger days, manageable crowds
- MayGood light; book Newgrange ahead
- JunPeak season; Newgrange slots go days ahead
- JulBusiest month; go at opening
- AugBusiest month; book online first
- SepCrowds thin after mid-month
- OctClear light; shorter opening hours
- NovQuiet; winter hours
- DecSolstice lottery mornings; otherwise quiet
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swans and waterfowl on the River BoyneOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Hedgerow birds and hares on the approach lanesApr–Jun | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Midges along the river on still eveningsJun–Aug | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Dublin
M1 north to junction 9, then signposted lanes west via Donore to the visitor centre; toll between junctions 7 and 8.
1 h
Open the page →
From Drogheda
Taxi about 10 minutes; Bus 163 runs from Drogheda via the Boyne battlefield but has been cut to a very limited timetable (check).
10–25 min
Open the page →
From Navan and the west
N51 to Slane, then N2 south to Staleen Road; there is no access from the north bank.
30–40 min
From Dublin by tour
Organised day tours include the Newgrange interior and often the Hill of Tara or the Boyne battlefield; useful if you have no car.
Half day
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor centre, south bank | Exhibition, film, chamber replica, café, shop and the start of every tour. | Open with a ticket; step-free. |
| Newgrange | The 76 m mound with the roof box, kerbstones and the only accessible tomb chamber. | Guided tour only, by shuttle bus and a short walk. |
| Knowth | The largest group of tombs, with kerb art and a viewing point on the mound. | Guided tour only; no interior entry. |
| Dowth | A grassy mound with blocked passages, reachable by public road. | Open from the road; interior closed. |
Sketch map
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor centre only (adult) | EUR 5 | person | 2026 estimate; exhibition, film and chamber replica. |
| Visitor centre only (child 12–17) | EUR 3 | person | Under 12s free but still need a ticket. |
| Outside sites and visitor centre, including Knowth (adult) | EUR 12 | person | 2026 estimate; no interior access at Knowth. |
| Newgrange interior, outside sites and visitor centre (adult) | EUR 18 | person | 2026 estimate; the only mound you can enter. |
| Newgrange interior (child 12–17) | EUR 12 | person | 2026 estimate. |
| Taxi from Drogheda to the visitor centre | EUR 15–20 | car | 2026 estimate; about 10 minutes. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Timed tour ticket permit or guide
Newgrange chamber slot permit or guide
Winter solstice lottery permit or guide
Park rules
- Guided access only
- You cannot walk to Newgrange or Knowth on your own; all visits start at the visitor centre and continue by shuttle.
- Photography inside Newgrange
- No photography or filming within the chamber.
- Pets
- Not allowed; assistance dogs are welcome.
- Bags inside Newgrange
- Small backpacks are allowed but are left in a locked box at the entrance; there is no left-luggage facility at the centre.
- Solstice tickets
- Winning names and dates are not transferable.
Where to stay
Near the park
Newgrange Lodge
The closest beds, opposite the visitor centre.
Near the park
Drogheda
The nearest town with a full range of hotels, B&Bs and hostels, 10–15 minutes away.
Near the park
Dublin
Where most visitors sleep and day-trip from, about an hour by road.
Safety
Missing your slot medium
Low headroom and uneven footing in the Newgrange passage medium
Wet, slippery steps and grass around the mounds low
Winter solstice morning weather low
Accessibility
- The visitor centre, café, toilets and chamber replica are step-free and accessible with reduced mobility.
- The Newgrange chamber requires stooping through a narrow passage and is not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
- Knowth is seen from outside and from a viewing point; the ground is uneven grass and gravel.
Visiting lightly
- Take the shuttle rather than trying to drive between the mounds; private vehicles are not allowed at the sites.
- Stay in Drogheda or at the lodge and use the bus or a tour from Dublin instead of adding a car to the Boyne valley.
- Buy tickets only from the official Heritage Ireland site; resellers add a mark-up for the same tour.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Brú Na Bóinne Archaeological Park?
There are three ticket types, all 2026 estimates: visitor centre only €5 adult (€3 child 12–17), outside sites including Knowth €12 adult, and Newgrange interior with the outside sites €18 adult (€12 child). Under 12s are free but still need a ticket. Prices are set by the Office of Public Works, so check the official site before booking.
What are the best hikes in Brú Na Bóinne Archaeological Park?
There are no long trails. The walking is the short river footbridge between the visitor centre and the shuttle stop, then paths around Newgrange and Knowth on the guided tours, plus a 30-minute look at Dowth from the public road. If you want a real walk, combine the visit with the Boyne battlefield or the Hill of Tara nearby.
When is the best time to visit Brú Na Bóinne Archaeological Park?
April, May, September and October give good light with smaller crowds. July and August are the busiest and Newgrange chamber slots can sell out days ahead, so book online and take the first tour of the day. Winter is quiet but opening hours are shorter.
Can I visit Newgrange without a tour?
No. Access to Newgrange and Knowth is by guided tour only, starting at the visitor centre on the south bank. Anyone arriving at the mounds directly is sent back to the centre to wait for the next available slot, which in midsummer can be days away.
How do I get to Brú Na Bóinne without a car?
Take a train or bus to Drogheda, then a taxi (about 10 minutes) or the limited Bus 163 service to the visitor centre. Organised day tours from Dublin include the Newgrange interior and are the simplest option if you are staying in the city.
How do I enter the Newgrange winter solstice lottery?
Enter at the visitor centre or by email to brunaboinne@opw.ie. About 60 names are drawn each year in October for the six mornings between 18 and 23 December, with ten winners plus a guest admitted each morning. Names and dates are not transferable.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go