NEWGRANGE & BOYNE VALLEY

Ancient East:

Our Ancient East Tour brings you to what tourists call the “dawn of civilisation.” We transport you into the prehistoric age of the world famous Newgrange monument a UNESCO World Heritage site in County Meath where you walk among tombs predating the Pyramids of Giza. Travel safely and comfortably into early Christian Ireland, among the breath taking beauty of the Boyne Valley and enjoy some of Irelands most popular destinations including the Celtic High Crosses of Monasterboice, the charming Slane Village and the legendary Trim Castle.

• Dublin – Newgrange: We will pick you up from your Dublin location and you will traverse the highways in the comfort of our vehicle back in time to a land that dates even before the pyramids were constructed. Journey deep into the 5,200 year-old passage tomb of Newgrange, a Stone Age (Neolithic) monument in the Boyne Valley, County Meath.
• Newgrange – Monasterboice Tower: Travel into the land of ancient monastic settlements with a visit to Monasterboice complete with its impressive 100ft Irish Round Tower and three Celtic High Crosses.
• Monasterboice – Lunch will be served in one of the east coasts finest restaurants.
• Slane Village – In the afternoon we travel towards the delightful Slane village. Here we stop for a photo opportunity at the picturesque 18^th century Slane Castle. Choose to sample one of Irelands newest whiskeys at the nearby Slane Distillery.
• Slane Village – Trim Castle: Last stop is the heritage town of Trim in County Meath. Here we tour the iconic 12^th century Trim Castle. Irelands largest Anglo Norman fortification and also the location for the Hollywood blockbuster movie Braveheart.
• We return to your Dublin location with everlasting memories of an amazing day.

Duration: 9 Hours

Vehicle: Mercedes E Class / V Class

Price:

• 1-3 people €600
• 4-6 people €700

After we pick you up from your Dublin location going northwards, we arrive shortly at Newgrange, dated at 3,200 B.C. Older than Stonehenge in the U.K. and the Great Pyramids of Giza. T Newgrange is a large circular mound 85 meters (93 yards) in diameter and 13.5 meters (15 yards) high with a 19 meter (21 yard) stone passageway and chambers inside. During the Winter Solstice, the chamber is aligned with the rising sun. The passage is 19 metres and leads you into a chamber with three alcoves. Investigate the 97 large stones called kerbstones, surrounding the tomb. Some are engraved with megalithic art. Newgrange is now recognised by some as an ancient temple. Knowth and Dowth are similar mounds nearby, that together with Newgrange have been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
You step back into the 6th century in Monasteboice, situated in County Louth. This monastic settlement was founded by Saint Buite in the 6th century. While the original monastery is gone, the remains of the two 10th century churches are still evident. A walk through the churchyard is a walk through one of the longest working burial grounds in the world. Trace your hands across history at Muirdeach’s Cross, which is the Cross nearest the graveyard entrance. Famous world-wide for its outstanding example of a High Cross of the Early Christian period in Ireland. It is a monolith, 17ft high. The West Cross is the tallest High Cross in Ireland at 7 metres high. There is a third but much less spectacular North Cross.
The vibrant and historic town of Drogheda nearby is famous for its Saint Laurence’s Gate, and its displayed head of Saint Oliver Plunkett in Saint Peter’s R.C. Church. Saint Laurence’s Gate, is widely regarded as one of the finest of its kind in Europe. It consists of two lofty circular towers, connected together by a wall, in which there is an archway. Saint Peter’s in West Street is world famous for housing the shrine of Saint Oliver Plunkett. The church facade is an imposing structure in the Gothic style, built of local limestone.
The walled area of the Mediaeval Drogheda enclosed one hundred and thirteen acres, making it one of the largest walled towns of the time. In 1649, Cromwell breached the walls and sacked the town, massacring two thousand Royalist sympathisers and deporting captives as slaves to Barbados. Drogheda surrendered to King William after the Battle of the Boyne.
One of the most famous battles in the Irish calendar took place at the Battle of the Boyne. Here King William of Orange had 36,000 men and King James had 25,000 – the largest number of troops ever deployed on an Irish battlefield. English, Scottish, Dutch, Danes and Huguenots (French Protestants) made up William’s army (Williamites), while James’ men (Jacobites) were mainly Irish Catholics, reinforced by 6,500 French troops sent by King Louis XIV. At stake was the British throne, French Dominance in Europe and religious power in Ireland.
William’s camp was on the north side of the river. James’s was on the south side with the two armies facing each other. King James’s army retreated across the River Nanny at Duleek and regrouped west of the Shannon to carry on the war. Approximately 1,500 soldiers were killed at the Boyne.
We will journey along to the sedate and pleasant Slane, North of the Boyne, to an estate village with fine Georgian houses near the River Boyne. Walk along the home of many large manors and castles, in the birthplace of the famous poet Francis Ledwidge, who died in the first world war.
The majestic Slane Castle welcomes you. Created in the late 18th century for the Marquis of Conyngham, the 1,500 acre estate’s castle was badly burned in 1991 but has been restored to its original state. It has been home to many world famous music artists with their outdoor concerts including U2, Queen and Bruce Springsteen. It also houses a Gothic Revival Ballroom created for King George IV. Its picturesque backdrop of the River Boyne complements your view.
Travelling in Deluxe Tour style just above Slane village is the Hill of Slane, where the first Easter fire was lit by Saint Patrick in 433 to symbolise the arrival of Christianity. The act was in direct defiance of Laoghaire, the Celtic King of Ireland. The hill was also the site of a monastery and church which was raided by the Vikings, the Normans, and Cromwell’s troops. Today the church tower gives a panoramic view of the Meath countryside.
Our final tour stop before we travel back to Dublin is at the magnificent 12th century Trim Castle in County Meath.

Few places in Ireland contain more medieval buildings than the heritage town of Trim. The castle is the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland. Hugh de Lacy and his successors took 30 years to build it.
The central fortification is a monumental three-storey keep. This massive 20-sided tower, which is cruciform in shape, was all but impregnable in its day. It was protected by a ditch, curtain wall and water-filled moat.
Modern walkways now allow you to look down over the interior of the keep – a chance to appreciate the sheer size and thickness of the mighty castle walls. Enjoy some spectacular views from the top of the castle.
Trim Castle is also famed as the location for King John’s Castle in the film ‘Braveheart’ the 1995 blockbuster movie directed by and starring Hollywood actor Mel Gibson.