Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre Newgrange and Knowth — Attraction in The Municipal District of Laytown — Bettystown

Definitely buy tickets ahead of time, as they run timed tours of limited groups to the sites. The time of your ticket is set to give you a bit of time to view the exhibits in the visitor center--but arrive early if you want to read everything and absorb. The exhibits are pretty helpful, including a great video that provides a 3D fly through of the overall location of the surviving sites, as well as other sites nearby that have not endured. Many of the exhibits are very visual, which I found easy to grasp immediately. The cafe serves tasty food: higher variety and quality than I normally expect from a museum, and this was a pleasant surprise. It takes about 10-15 minutes to walk from the center to the location where buses ferry folks to and from the sites. Pains have been taken to leave the footpath in its natural state, and the walk is quite beautiful. Buses are new and clean, and clearly driven by experts down some exceedingly narrow roads. Each of the two sites open to the public is hosted by a dedicated guide that provides the salient (but obviously quite abridged) history. The guides are good, but time is constrained, so some visitors will want for additional details and extra time to examine the site itself. The most exciting element is left til last: groups of 15 are taken inside the passage tomb at Newgrange--and this is a deeply impressive experience. Note that this is enhanced by the incredibly tight and low passageway, which does require some care and caution. Once inside, the guide points out elements of the monument, including possible interpretations of the use of the site. Part of this includes a demonstration (simulated) of what the chamber looks like when the sunrise of winter solstice appears. A fascinating...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, and I must say, it was an unforgettable experience. Nestled in the heart of Ireland’s ancient landscape, the center serves as a gateway to some of the most significant prehistoric sites in Europe, including Newgrange, Knowth, and Dowth.

Facilities and Accessibility

The visitor centre is modern and well-designed, seamlessly blending into the natural surroundings. It’s equipped with ample parking, clean restrooms, and a spacious café offering a variety of refreshments. The staff were friendly and accommodating, providing clear instructions and ensuring that everyone had a memorable visit.

Exhibitions and Tours

The exhibitions within the center are informative and engaging, offering a deep dive into the history and significance of the Brú na Bóinne complex. Interactive displays and multimedia presentations make the ancient history come alive, making it suitable for visitors of all ages.

The guided tours to Newgrange and Knowth were particularly impressive. The knowledgeable guides shared fascinating insights into the construction, use, and astronomical significance of these Neolithic monuments. Walking through the ancient passageways of Newgrange and viewing the intricate carvings at Knowth was truly awe-inspiring.

Overall Experience

The Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre is a must-visit for anyone interested in history, archaeology, or simply looking to explore the rich cultural heritage of Ireland. The combination of excellent facilities, informative exhibitions, and well-organized tours make it a top-notch destination. I highly recommend spending a full day here to fully appreciate the depth and beauty of these...

Fantastic old passage tombs, a must see! Get there early! There’s lots to see at the visitor centre so allow some time for that. It’s a short walk from the visitor centre to where the bus loads. When you know what time your bus leaves get there early so you could get onto the bus first and get a good seat and get off the bus first so you see more! The bus tour is a couple of hours with the bus that takes you from the visitor centre to the both sites and back, I had a lovely sunny day. The bus stops at Knowth first with a walking guided tour around the outside of Knowth, there are many smaller hill tombs to see the outside of. The guide was very informative stick close to the guide and you will hear lots of good information and ask your questions while waiting for the crowd to catch up. You can’t go in Knowth but you can climb to the very top of it with the fantastic view of the area! Then the bus takes you to Newgrange. Here you could go inside with the guide, 15 people inside at a time, 30 people on a bus. Stay close to the guide and in the front of the line then you can go into Newgrange in the first group which gives you more time outside to walk around after the inside tour. Unfortunately, you can’t take pictures inside the tomb not allowed. I stuck close to the guide so I was first inside the tomb, something special about that to me! It’s a long passage to get inside and you have to stoop down the whole way. Inside I waited so I was the last out of the tomb. That’s my technique after taking many tours of...