Ireland’s Ancient East – Boyne Valley Day Tour by Coach

Enjoy this full day excursion to the Boyne Valley with our partner coaching partner. This tour will bring groups into the heartland of Irelands Ancient East. This is a place steeped in history from the passage tombs at Loughcrew said to be even older than that of Newgrange to the majestic River Boyne said that ebbs and flows through the valley.

We start at one of Ireland’s most sacred sites – The Hill of Tara. The High Kings took tribute from the country on this high ground; at one point it was the royal centre of Ireland. It is said that a quarter of Ireland’s landscape can be seen from this lofty hilltop. After a guided tour of Tara we visit the local café for refreshments before we head onward on our journey.

It wouldn’t be a drive through the Irish countryside without seeing lush and picturesque landscapes. The scenery is breath taking as we head to the town of Trim, home to an impressive and well preserved Anglo-Norman castle. Trim Castle is the largest castle of its type in Ireland. The movie ‘Braveheart’ was filmed in the grounds and you can see why.

After Trim we head to the centrepiece of this tour - Loughcrew is one of Irelands best kept secrets, a complex of passage tombs dating back 5500 years. Inside this passage tomb groups will marvel at the artwork carved into the stones thousands of years ago by Neolithic farmers. Groups can play historian and try to guess what these mystical symbols are. Before the group leaves they have a chance to gaze for hundreds of miles and admire the beautiful green landscape, afterwards we have the option of having lunch at a historical Café and have a guided tour through a 200 year old traditional Irish cottage.

Next stop is Monasterboice. One of the many things Ireland is famous for is the Celtic high cross. The Celtic high cross of Muiredach at Monasterboice is the finest high cross in Ireland and is regarded as one of the best surviving examples of Irish religious art. Before we depart for Dublin we take in a walking tour through the historical town of Drogheda finishing at St. Peter’s Church.

ITINERARY

08:00 hrs: Depart Dublin

09:45 hrs: Loughcrew Passage Tomb

11:00 hrs: Trim Castle

12:20 hrs: Hill of Tara

14:30 hrs: Monasterboice

15:30 hrs: Drogheda Walking Tour

17:15 hrs: Leave Drogheda

18:00 hrs: Arrive back in Dublin

This tour includes: English speaking driver/guide and includes a visit to Loughcrew passage tomb, Trim Castle, Hill of Tara, Monasterboice Monastery, guided walking tour of Drogheda and a visit to St Peter’s Church in Drogheda town.

**For 2019 this day trip will no longer include the stop at Monasterboice and the guided walking tour of Drogheda. There will be a visit to the “Hill of Uisneach” instead, an ancient site on a 182m hill, considered to be the symbolic centre of Ireland. The timings will change for 2019 – please see the updated itinerary below:

2019 ITINERARY

08:00am: Depart Dublin

09:45am: Hill of Tara

11:00am: Trim Castle

12:20pm: Loughcrew Passage Tomb

04:05pm: Hill of Uisneach

06:00pm: Arrive back in Dublin