Dowth Passage Tomb — Attraction in The Municipal District of Laytown — Bettystown

Dowth the Fairy Mound of Darkness is about the same size as Newgrange and Knowth and was built in the same period over 5,000 years ago. The mound was subjected to a very unprofessional excavation in 1847, two passage tombs were discovered but the mound was severely damaged in the process. The passage tombs are much less spectacular than Newgrange or Knowth with shorter passages and lower roofs. Both are on the western side of the mound, they are referred to as Dowth North and Dowth South. The Dowth North passage is 14 metres in length; the chamber is cruciform in shape with an annex off the right hand recess, the chamber roof is corbelled and is 3 metres high. Dowth South - Passage Entrance The Dowth South passage is only 3.5 metres in length with a simple circular chamber and a single recess to the right; the original roof collapsed long ago and has been replaced by a concrete roof. Dowth South is aligned to the setting sun of the winter solstice; the setting sun illuminates the passage and chamber about 3pm on the days around the...

The area is beautiful but if you're trying to see the nearby mounds this is not the place to go. We were directed here by Google while looking for Brù na Bòinne. This mound is closed because the cap stone fell in and collapsed the mound years ago. You can pull over and park on the side of the road then walk around the mound to see but there is no access below. It's worth a visit if you're in the area but it's nothing special. Head to the visitors center on the otherside of the river for a tour of the...

You will need to be slim and be able to bend as the entrance is very low. Once inside, you can stand up. It has become very popular over the past couple of years to try and see the sunset from inside the chamber at the Midwinter sunset. 4pm approx. I have been there twice, once with only about 8 people and the second time with about 400. Arrive early at the entrance to be let in by the OPW caretakers. There are no facilities in the area. Don't use a flash to take photographs as it...