I am bringing my 16 year old granddaughter to Europe in June, planning on landing in Dublin, spending 2 or 3 nights there, visiting friends, taking tour to Glendalough and Powerscourt one day. I'm wondering if the Bru na Boinne site is worth staying a 3rd day. We lived in Ireland and at that time Newgrange was just the passage which we could walk into but there wasn't much else there. We'll be going on to London, Paris, and Switzerland, and probably Germany taking 18-20 days and I am concerned about time frames and seeing the best sights in our time frame. Any ideas anyone has would be welcome. Thanks. Ann
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
I love Newgrange! And yes, I think it's worth the extra time. You can see Knowth as well, since it's accessed from the same visitor center, and there is a nice little museum, too. The tour there is very informative.
Posted by
Philadelphia
655 posts
Yes to Newgrange. Powerscourt should be very nice in June.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
"Glendalough and Powerscourt one day" You may have to rethink this plan. Glendalough alone takes the better part of one day to visit from Dublin, unless you can arrange your own transportation.
Posted by
New York, NY
319 posts
Ann,
I loved Newgrange, but it is "just" the passage. If that's how you feel about it, then Im not sure it's worth it for you to take a whole day out of your trip just to see it.
To me, it was fascinating. But if it's not your cup of tea, then don't do it. Youll have the best trip if you have the trip that YOU want to have, not the one that everyone else tells you is best.
Have you been to Newgrange before? If so, then I would think you would know best whether you'd want to visit it on this trip.
Posted by
OP
Vacaville, CA, US
16 posts
Thank you all so much. We lived in Ireland for 2 yrs. and we did go to Newgrange where our 8 yr. old told us more from school than the guide books did. I will leave it up to the 16 year old.
I know Powerscourt and Glendalough in one day is a lot but there is a tour to both and we will have no car. I loved both places and we were at both many times, even climbed Sugarloaf.
Thank you all for your input.
Ann
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
There are several day tours that cover Glendalough and Powerscourt together, so they must be able to do it in a day. (I haven't been to Powerscourt because I was at Glendalough in February.) If you were driving yourself you could spend as long as you wanted at either one (though I hear that even the "slow" tour at Powerscourt doesn't take an hour), but I'm sure the tours allow ample time at them, as well. You might be limited as to how much hiking of the trails that you could do during the allotted time at Glendalough, though.
Posted by
New York, NY
319 posts
If you did not have a guide when you went to Newgrange, then I can see why you came away unimpressed. We went with a tour group (Mary Gibbons), and the guide helped to bring this site alive. If you do decide to return, I would recommend that you have a good guide to lead you.
Posted by
Saskatoon, Canada
45 posts
I did a tour of powerscourt and Glendalough in one day through Bus Eireann and I really liked it. I also would suggest skipping Newgrance if you have already been there - it probably hasn't changed too much :)
Posted by
Sheboygan, Wisc., USA
934 posts
I also visited Newgrange and found it a great place.The guide they provided was excellent and gave us much information.It was one of our Ireland highlights.