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The Megalithic Passage Tombs of Newgrange,
Knowth,
Dowth, Fourknocks,
Loughcrew and
Tara are located in the present day County Meath in
Ireland's
Ancient East. The Boyne Valley Mounds at Newgrange, Knowth and
Dowth were built around 3200BC making them older than
Stonehenge in England and the Pyramids of Giza in
Egypt.
Built by Neolithic farming communities about 5000 years ago, the passage
tombs have clear astronomical alignments such as the
Winter Solstice Sunrise at Newgrange and the
Equinox Sunrise at Loughcrew.
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Judging from the splendour and magnificence of Newgrange and Knowth it is likely
that these temples of the ancestors were places of astrological, spiritual,
religious and ceremonial importance, much as present day cathedrals are places
of worship where dignitaries may be laid to rest.
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There is a lively debate about whether these wonderful megalithic structures
were built primarily as burial tombs, sacred temples or astronomical
observatories. While passage tomb is the
traditional description for Newgrange and similar structures, chambered
cairn or passage mound are the descriptions favoured by those who consider the
passage tomb description too narrow.
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The large stones surrounding and inside the Passage Tombs are decorated with
Megalithic Art such as spirals, concentric circles, triangles, zigzags and
images which have been interpreted as the sun, moon and the human face.
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Irish passage tombs tend to occur in clusters traditionally described as a
Necropolis or cemetery. The Boyne cluster includes
Newgrange,
Knowth, Dowth and
Townleyhall. The other great clusters in County Meath are on the hills
around Loughcrew.
The ancient Boyne Valley passage tomb mounds at Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth have
been designated World Heritage Site status by UNESCO and attract 200,000
visitors per year. The sites and Visitor Centre
are managed by the OPW (Office of Public Works).
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Newgrange is best known for the illumination of its
passage and chamber by the winter solstice sun. The site is open to the public
with controlled access to the passage and chamber. Tours of Newgrange start at
the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre
located near the village of Donore, Co. Meath.
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Knowth has two passages and is surrounded by seventeen
satellite cairns. The site is open to the public; however there is no public
access to the interior passages and chambers. Tours of Knowth also start at the
Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre. |
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Dowth is the only one of the three large Brú na Bóinne
Passage Tombs which is not accessible from the
Visitor Centre
situated on the south bank of the river. Visitors to Dowth must drive directly
to the site on the north bank, a couple of miles from the Slane / Drogheda road.
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Fourknocks with its short passage leading into
a wide pear shaped chamber is in similar style to Tombs in Portugal. Just inside
the main chamber to the left of the entrance is one of the few representations
of a human face from the Neolithic Period in ancient Ireland. |
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Loughcrew Cairns form the largest complex of
Megalithic structures in Ireland. The Cairns contain symbolic engravings similar
in style to Newgrange. Like other Passage Tombs in ancient Ireland, they have
clear astrological alignments.
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Tara was the seat of the High Kings of Ireland in the
first millennium A.D. however Tara is also the site of a Passage Tomb known as
the Mound of the Hostages that was built about 2,500 B.C.
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Private Tour with pick up and return to your accommodation.
Newgrange World Heritage site, the 10th century High Crosses at Monasterboice,
Hill of Tara the seat of the High Kings, Bective Abbey and Trim Castle
the largest Norman castle in Ireland
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