Major city · Ireland
KellsCeannas Mór
Give Kells half a day from Dublin or Navan for the monastic site and a Book of Kells copy; sleep here only if you want a quiet Meath base.
Kells is a small Meath town 65 km north of Dublin that held the Book of Kells for roughly 800 years. The round tower, high crosses and St Columb's House are the reason to come; the town itself is compact and walkable in an hour. Most travellers see it as a stop between Dublin and the Boyne Valley, not as an overnight base.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (short days, many sites closed or locked)
- Airport
- DUB
- Nights
- 0–1
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.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kells112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kells, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Ireland-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodafone, Three and Eir run the networks; prepaid SIMs (also 48, Tesco Mobile, GoMo) sell in phone shops and newsagents, no registration fuss.Ireland-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe; occasional local 'boil water' notices are posted by Uisce Éireann.Ireland-wide
- TippingRestaurant with table service: 10–15% if service is not included.Ireland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ireland-wide
- SafetyKells is a quiet, low-crime town and feels safe on foot by day.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in shopping centres, museums, pubs (as a customer) and many petrol stations; some public toilets charge 50c.Ireland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, ambulance, fire, coast guard · 999 Alternative emergency number
- Sundays & holidaysShops open Sunday afternoons in towns; rural shops and some attractions close in winter (November–March).Ireland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDUB Dublin Airport (About 25 km (16 mi) south-east; Bus Éireann 109A runs from the airport via Ashbourne and Navan, roughly hourly around the clock).DUB Dublin Airport (About 16 mi (25 km) south-east; Bus Éireann 109A runs from the airport via Ashbourne and Navan, roughly hourly around the clock).
- Getting aroundWalk: the centre is compact and the abbey, tower and St Columb's House sit within a few minutes of each other.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course€14–20 (≈ US$17–25)
- BeerPint of stout€5–6.50 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi, short town hopcheck€8–15 (≈ US$10–18)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€10–20 (≈ US$12–25)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedHotel or townhouse double room, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedHotel or townhouse double room, a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €95 (≈ US$120) · High €170 (≈ US$200)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DUB Dublin Airport (About 25 km (16 mi) south-east; Bus Éireann 109A runs from the airport via Ashbourne and Navan, roughly hourly around the clock)DUB Dublin Airport (About 16 mi (25 km) south-east; Bus Éireann 109A runs from the airport via Ashbourne and Navan, roughly hourly around the clock)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (14 rain days), driest Jun (11). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kells: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
14 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
13 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
13 rd
Sep
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
14 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
14 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
14 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk: the centre is compact and the abbey, tower and St Columb's House sit within a few minutes of each other. No railway since 1963; buses are the public transport. Taxis are local firms only, so book ahead for early departures.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h by car
Drive via Navan and the N51, or bus to Navan then a local link; visitor centre at Donore
Timed entry to the passage tomb only via the visitor centre; book ahead in summer.
Oldcastle and Loughcrew Cairns
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus 187 from Kells, just under an hour, 4 times Mon–Sat
The cairns are a further walk or drive from Oldcastle; the bus alone will not get you there.
Trim and Trim Castle
goDoor to door: About 45 min by car
Drive via the R161 and N51, or bus with a change in Navan
Ireland's largest Anglo-Norman castle; pair it with Kells in one day by car.
Navan
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Bus Éireann 109 or 109A, about 25–30 min
Nearest large town and the main bus interchange for the region.
Slane
cautionDoor to door: About 25 min by car
Drive via the N51, about 20 km (12 mi)Drive via the N51, about 12 mi (20 km)
No direct bus; the village and castle grounds are worth the detour if you have a car.
Ashbourne
skipDoor to door: About 40 min
Bus Éireann 109A towards Dublin Airport
A commuter town on the way to Dublin; no reason to make it a destination.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Headfort Place / John St)
Walk to the abbey, the round tower and the pub strip; the only real hotel and townhouse options are here.
Cavan Road retail strip
Supermarket and fuel stops on the R147; not a place to stay, just where buses terminate.
Countryside B&Bs (e.g. Teltown, 6 km south)
Quiet farmhouse stays; you need a car or a taxi.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €50–80 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- €80–130 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- €130 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel or townhouse double room1 × 1 night × €120 | €120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €95 | €190 |
| Bus Éireann Dublin to Kells, one way2 × €12 · check | €24 |
| Taxi around town and to Castlekeeran1 × €15 · check | €15 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €38 |
| Trip total≈ €209 per person per day, bed included | €417≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in euro; transport to Kells excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | €14–20 (≈ US$17–25) |
| Pint of stout | €5–6.50 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Hotel double room, B&B | €80–180 (≈ US$95–250) |
| Taxi, short town hopcheck | €8–15 (≈ US$10–18) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €10–20 (≈ US$12–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- St Columb's House is kept locked; ask locally for access rather than assuming it is open.
- The Spire of Lloyd and Castlekeeran are outside town with no bus service: you need a car or taxi.
- Several town websites and small accommodation pages go offline; confirm by phone before relying on them.
- Rural roads around Kells are narrow and unlit; drive with care after dark.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance, fire, coast guard
- 112
- Alternative emergency number
- 999
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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KellsCeannas Mór
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Chuig an seoladh seo, le do thoilTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire, coast guard112
- Alternative emergency number999
Embassy
No embassies in Kells; the US Embassy and most others are in Dublin. Garda station in town for urgent local help.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Éireann 109 Dublin Busáras → Kells: about €12 (≈ US$14) one way, about 2 h (check)
- Bus Éireann 109A Dublin Airport → Kells: about €12 (≈ US$14) one way, roughly hourly (check)
- Taxi Kells town centre → Castlekeeran: €12–18 (≈ US$14–25) (check)
Say or show
- Dia duit — Hello (jeea gwit)
- Go raibh maith agat — Thank you (guh rev mah agut)
- Le do thoil — Please (leh duh hull)
- Cé mhéad é? — How much is it? (kay vade ay)
- Cá bhfuil an leithreas? — Where is the toilet? (kaw will un leh-rass)
- Sláinte — Cheers (slawn-cha)
Irish is not needed in Kells; English is spoken everywhere. The phrases are a courtesy.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kells. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (short days, many sites closed or locked) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for DUB: last 109A departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster with rescue anchors: Market Cross and Courthouse, the abbey and round tower, St Columb's House.
- Place pages with verified access rules (abbey grounds, St Columb's House key, Spire of Lloyd gate) and eat pages with last orders.
- Hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.