Valley of the Kings

The fertile Boyne Valley, about 30 miles from Dublin, is the cradle of Irish civilization and the Celts’ spiritual home. The Valley of the Kings contains the largest and most decorated megalithic sites in all of Ireland and has been described as "the largest and most important expression of prehistoric megalithic art in Europe ".

The large Megalithic sites were built over 5000 years ago between 3800 and 3200 BC, built before both Stonehenge in England and the great pyramids in Egypt . Within a three square mile radius in the Boyne Valley are grouped more than 30 prehistoric monuments including the great passage tombs and their satellite structures, standing stones, barrows and other enclosures. The great sites of the Boyne Valley include Newgrange, Knowth, Dowth, Loughcrew, Fourknocks and the Hill of Tara.

Neolithic communities built these sites over earlier sacred spots and it is suspected that they were used for a combination of different purposes, including use as burial tombs, sacred temples and astronomical observatories.

5 Facts About Newgrange

1. Newgrange is one of the best examples in Western Europe of the type of monument known as a passage-grave or passage-tomb.  According to the most reliable Carbon 14 dating techniques, Newgrange was constructed around 3200BC.  This means it is at least 600 years older than the Giza Pyramids in Egypt, and 1,000 years older Stonehenge.

2. Entering the Newgrange cairn, you descend 62 feet into its very core, a central vaulted chamber. Not amazing enough? Hold on... Newgrange is an extraordinary Neolithic tomb, but it is also one of the oldest celestial markers in the world.  Every winter solstice, the sun climbs over the horizon and illuminates the inner chamber for 17 minutes—quite a profound experience. Tours of the inner stone chamber, with its intricately carved stones, re-create the sun streaming through a narrow roof box, just as it does on December 21.

3. According to ancient mythology, the Tuatha Dé Danann ruled Ireland were said to have built Newgrange as a burial place for their chief, Dagda Mór, and his three sons. One of his sons, named Aonghus, is often referred to as Aonghus of the Brugh.  It is believed that he was owner of the Brugh land, and that a smaller mound between Newgrange and the Boyne was owned by the Dagda.

4. Newgrange is built with 200,000 tons of material.  It has been estimated that its construction would have taken 30 years using a workforce of approximately 300.  We don’t know how the larger stones, forming the kerb, passage, and chamber of Newgrange, were brought to the site.  Many of the 550 largest stones were collected from where they’d been lying on the ground and on the hills above Newgrange. Because many of the stones were weathered, we believe they weren’t quarried.  That left those ancient people with the huge task of finding the stones that could best be moved, and invent the means of moving them.  These people lived in an organized community.

5. These ancient builders were highly skilled.  They grooved the top surface of the passage-roof stones, thus showing they understood redirecting water seepage from the cairn.  It has kept the passage water-proof.  (No small task in Ireland!)  Some archaeologists believe the Newgrange site was as high as 150 feet in some areas.  The passage, the chamber, and the roof were all constructed, and have survived, without mortar.   The builders filled the gaps between the roof stones in the passage with sea sand and burned soil to keep the passage dry.

Hill of Tara

The Hill of Tara was one of the most important religious sites in early Ireland and was the ancient capital of Ireland where the high king lived. It is said that 142 kings reigned here from the 3rd century until 1022. The hill rises to a height of 500 feet and offers majestic views across the plains of Meath, including a view of the white quartz front of Newgrange. Tara comes from the Gaelic word 'Temair' and is translated as a "place of great prospect". In early mythology, Temair was the sacred place of dwelling for the Gods and was the entrance to the other world. The Hill of Tara contains many different monuments that date from different time periods showing that this site was of great importance long before it became the seat of the high kings.

The oldest and most prominent monument on the hill is the Mound of Hostages. Dumha Na nGiall, as it is known in Gaelic, is a megalithic passage tomb dating back to 2500 BC. The mound derives its name from the custom of the high kings who held hostages here from their different kingdoms and from places they conquered.

One of the legendary kings of Tara was named Niall of the Nine Hostages in honour of the fact that he held hostages from all of the provinces of Ireland as well as from Britain .

The tomb stands inside a large circular hill fort structure called the Royal Enclosure, or Rath Na Riogh in Gaelic. This hill fort is consistent with structures built in the Iron Age and was therefore built after the Mound of Hostages was constructed. The passage at the mound of hostages is short and is aligned to the sun on the ancient Celtic festivals of Samhain (November) and Imbolc (February).

Also within the Royal Enclosure stand two linked ring forts known as the Royal Seat or Forradh. Sitting atop of the Royal Seat is the most famous of Tara 's monuments, the Lia Fail or Stone of Destiny. According to Irish mythology, the godlike people of the Tuatha de Danann brought this sacred stone here.

Eamon P. Kelly, Keeper of Irish Antiquities, National Museum of Ireland

"This is the authentic Experience of Irelands' history, breathtaking scenery!"

Maths Dept. University of Newcastle, Australia

"It's not often one gets a tour of such high quality"

S. Russell, London Tour Guide

"This is the best tour of Newgrange."

BBC Radio 5

"A tour for the more discerning traveller."