Brú na Bóinne - Newgrange

The spectacular passage grave at Newgrange is the jewel in the crown of Irish heritage sites. Here at At Brú na Bóinne, literally the bend of the Boyne, stand the mysterious passage tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. This World Heritage Site is only 20 minutes away by car.

Newgrange & Passage Tombs

A "Passage Tombs" is a man-made mound with a passage into an inner chamber. These were built in the stone age more than 1,000 before the Pyramids were constructed. In many passage tombs, bones and evidence of burials have been found. However, the original purpose of these mounds is quite uncertain. Perhaps the original builders did not bury anyone and only later generations used them for this purpose.

What is certain is that the long, underground passages of Newgrange and Knowth are aligned with key solar events. At dawn on winter solstice, when the sun is at its furthest point north, a beam of light enters the passage and penetrates to the furthest interior chamber where it progresses across a series of spirals and decorations cut in the groove.

A lottery is held annually and the winners get to enter Newgrange the solstice sunrise to witness this marvel. But, all visitors get to experience a short re-enactment of this great event thanks to the miracle of modern lighting.

Newgrange is still, some 5,000 years after its creation, impressive and awe inspiring. Tickets to enter the site and join a tour inside have to be purchased from the well designed and tremendously interesting interpretive centre several miles away. From there, buses leave regularly for the site and the only access permitted is from the bus by ticket holders.

Knowth

A second huge Passage Tomb can be found nearby at Knowth. Again, tickets must be purchased at the interpretive centre. Knowth boasts "the richest and largest collection of megalithic art in Europe. Whorls and diamonds, lines and dots are gathered together into compositions of startling sophistication." (Meath Tourism) In fact, Meath Tourism's hyperbole is actually an understatement. More than half of the prehistoric rock carvings to be found in all of Europe come from just the two sites of Knowth and Newgrange.

After a visit to the reconstructed interior, visitors can tour the adjacent ancient village site and take their time examinging the dozens of strange and indecipherable rock carvings which surround the central mound.

Battle of the Boyne site

In 1690, William of Orange led a mostly Protestant army against the mostly Catholic force of James II. William's victory still reverberates - literally. The drums and bands of the Orange marches in Northern Ireland celebrate still this ancient victory. The defeated Catholics were forbidden even to send their children to school and the bitterness of the event still colours modern Irish history.

The battlefield itself is just a short distance from Newgrange and the megalithic monuments at Knowth and Dowth.

Loughcrew Passage Tombs & Stone Age Site

Several other major Passage Tomb sites exist nearby. Loughcrew allows visitors the chance to walk more freely among the huge megalithic mounds and stone age remains. The photo at right shows the sun traversing one of the Loughcrew Passage Tomb's interior carvings.

Other Passage Tombs in the area include Four Knocks just down the road from Broadmeadow and the so-called Mound of Hostages at Tara.

The Hill of Tara

"The Hill of Tara has a strange effect on people. From up here on the heights one sees not only into the distance, but into Tara's past. Tara has more than its share of heady stories to tell - tales of intoxicating drinks and chariot-driving High Kings. There are old hags who transform themselves into beautiful women and singing blocks of stone which announce the presence of future kings. Tara is imbued with a magical, mythical atmosphere. It is the stuff of legends, the home of gods and heroes, not mere mortals.

At the Hill of Tara, Irish myth, legend and history are one - this magical site has been home to gods and goddesses, to druids and warriors, and to Ireland's High Kings." - Meath Tourism

Lia Fail, the Stone of Destiny stands near the centre of the venerated Hill of Tara, County Meath. A brooding megalith, lore tells us it was brought to Ireland by the Tuatha De Danaan. Standing approximately five feet in height, it is said to shriek when trod upon by the true king of Ireland. Tara, as the seat of kings, was the site of the coronation of each High King of Ireland through marriage to the Goddess Medb.

Slane and Patrick's Hill

On the Hill of Slane near the Boyne Valley, St Patrick lit the flame of Christianity that has kindled in Ireland through more than 1,500 years. The town of Slane rests beneath Patrick's hill and modern celebrants crowd the area each year for the annual Rock Festival that takes place at Slane Castle.

The story is that the Druids celebrated their feast day on the hill of Tara, Patrick prepared the Easter feast on the hill of Slane. Patrick lit his Paschal fire at Slane, before the Druids could kindle their sacred fire at Tara. The Druids having seen flames at Slane warned Laegaire, the High King, that if Patrick's fire were not put out immediately, it would burn forever in Ireland. The rest is history." - Meath Tourism

The remains of an abbey crown the Hill of Slane today.

Bective Abbey

It was not until the coming of the Vikings in the late ninth century that Ireland had any towns. For hundreds of years before the establishment of these small cities, Irish monasteries were the spiritual and commercial hubs of the island.

Pilgrims journeyed to view Saint's relics and attend Mass in the small wood or stone chapels. Large and thriving groups of monks lived a life of devotions and study. Ireland was known as the land of "Saints and Scholars" - the university for much of western Europe.

Bective Abbey is nearly intact and gives visitors an insight into the lives of the monks and people of Ireland's medieval period.

Trim Castle

You're a Norman lord who has invaded a land of sword wielding clans. The Irish clansmen are intently interested in butchering you and reclaiming their land. What to do?

You guessed it. Put a big pile of stone between you and those swords. Trim Castle is the largest remaining Anglo Norman castle in Europe - a huge old behemoth designed for safe refuge and as a strategic base for attack.

Trim Castle is, again, a short drive from Broadmeadow and well worth a visit.

Swords Castle

Construction work on the castle began in the 12th Century with the appointment of the first Norman bishop of Dublin. The castle was founded on the Well associated with St. Colmcille and is prominently situated in the Ward River Valley Linear Park. The castle is unusual in that, with the perimetre of 305 meters, it is far larger than normal for an Irish Castle and was constructed in piecemeal fashion over a period of 400 years. As well as being the home of the Archbishops of Dublin, it is said that parliaments were held in the great hall of the castle.

As it stands at the moment Swords Castle presents a vivid snap-shot of 15th century life, comprising a gatehouse, apartments for knights, a chapel, banqueting hall, the all-important Archbishops apartments and two large towers, one of which was the home of the area's constable and his family.

The castle contains a tourism information centre and is open Monday through Friday throughout the summer season. Swords Castle is a very short drive (5 minutes) down the road from Broadmeadow.

Historic Sites within Walking Distance

Not all the historic sights require a car. You can simply walk to the neighbouring medieval church and stroll the grounds and graveyard. The latter is still in use by local families.

And, without leaving the grounds of Broadmeadow at all, you can visit two unique standing stones probably erected around the time of Newgrange. These two standing stones are strangely fluted down one side and represent a unique type of "rock art" carved by the ancients for... what? Lunar observations? Time keeping? Because it looks good?

Tourism Links

Meath Tourism Heritage attractions, golf and activities, tours. Includes racing fixtures. A professionally made site with lots of info.

Irish Times Weather, Irish news, Dublin events. This is one of the most popular web sites in Ireland.

Entertain Ireland Up to date cinema, theatre, music and festival listings and reviews. A great resource.

Swords Chamber of Commerce Just 10 minutes' drive in the town of Swords. The Chamber of Commerce site gives you a peek.

East Coast and Midland Ireland The official tourism website for
Counties Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, North Offaly, Westmeath and Wicklow.

www.welcome-2-europe.com Regional Information and more.