I would like to fit Newgrange in to our trip but I think we might not have enough time. My only window left would be leaving Dublin at around 4pm one afternoon to get there. Any tours that I can see leave in the morning and it's an all day thing. Can I take public transit? A driver? Is 4pm too late? I can't see a closing time on their website but maybe I'm not looking hard enough. This would be this summer, first week of August on a weekday. It also looks like unless you go with a tour getting in is difficult. Any knowledge on any of these questions would be appreciated!
Posted by
16 posts
You can take Bus Eireann out of the Dublin station. You don't need a tour once you are there, it's guided anyway, as I recall (we drove in a private car). I have only been to Newgrange/Bru na Boinne once but it was enough to inform me that you want a lot of time. And it closes around 7 pm. You will almost assuredly want to enter the mound and visit the other various sites as well, all guided and covering a rather large area. Hours are involved. Don't cheat yourself on this singular event. It is central to so much neolithic/celtic/druid/pagan/Christian (even) history. You'll kick yourself if you arrive and discover you can't see it all. Leave in the morning if you can.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
I think the 'tour' is the group that gathers until a guide is ready to lead you across the field and into the cairn. You can't get past the midpoint gate on your own.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14723 posts
I am currently traveling so cant give you the reference but I read they limit the number of visitors per day and that sometimes the tickets are sold out by noon.
I did visit on a day tour from Dublin 2 weeks ago and the guide, an archeologist, was telling us how much damage is done by each visitor as they unwittingly scrape the sides of the entrance to the passage tomb. They tell you how to hold your purse to minimize damage as well.
I also just finished a RS Tour of Ireland and we were talking to the guide about why Newgrange was not included. He said they could not get guaranteed entry for every tour so some were understandably disappointed to visit the unexcavated sites instead of being able to enter the passage tomb. The tour was changed so people are now encouraged to visit on their own before or after.
I found the National Museum much more interesting after visiting Newgrange and Hill of Tara.
Posted by
San Jose, CA
1994 posts
In August, I think the day's tickets would likely be sold out arriving that late. Also, you can only enter in one of their groups, with their guide. We arrived on a weekday morning in May and had to wait a few hours to get in. But there's a good museum where you can spend waiting time. It was a fascinating visit. I'd choose it over many of the Dublin sites.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
I don't see how it can work to leave Dublin at 16:00. The last shuttle bus from the Visitor's Center to the tombs leaves roughly 17:15 and can't be reserved and would only give you time to see one tomb.