Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, Donore, Co. Meath

The Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre is the starting point for tours of the megalithic passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth. These monuments along with another tomb at nearby Dowth were built over 5000 years ago and are older than the pyramids No one knows the exact reason for their construction but most theories suggest an association with ancient religious and funeral ceremonies. Newgrange is famous for the illumination of its inner chamber that takes place briefly on the Winter solstice (the shortest day of the year). UNESCO designated the Brú na Bóinne complex as a World Heritage site in 1993 and describes it as “Europe's largest and most important concentration of prehistoric megalithic art” .The Brú na Bóinne Visitor centre attracts in excess of 230,000 visitors annually. It is best to try and visit early in the mornings and avoid weekends if possible as the site gets busy during the busy season.