Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre
Donore, Co. Meath
Tel: +353 (0) 41 988 0300 | Fax: +353 (0) 41 982 3071
Email:
Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre is the first point of call for those wishing to take a tour of the megalthic passage tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, as tickets are required to gain entry. The centre itself contains extensive interpretive displays and viewing areas. An audio / visual presentation can be viewed in English, Irish, German, Italian or Spanish.
Newgrange
Newgrange (c 3,200 B.C.) is the best-known monument of the World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne, predating the ancient pyramids by 400 years and Stonehenge by 1000. The passage tomb is surrounded by 97 kerb stones, the most impressive is the large entrance stone which is covered in swirls and designs. Inside the large mound there is a long passage leading into a chamber which branches off into three corridors. The corbelled roof inside the burial chamber it still watertight and supports an estimated 200,000 tonnes of cairn. The cremated remains of the dead were laid on large stone basins inside the chamber which usually were accompanied by grave goods.
Knowth
Over three hundred decorated stones make up Knowth which represents the greatest concentration of Megalithic art in Western Europe. Recurring motifs on these stones include circles, serpentine forms and spirals. One of the most impressive features of Knowth is the corbelled roof in the eastern tomb ascending to a massive height of almost 6m.
Dowth
Dowth is the least well known of the Heritage Sites although it compares comparably in size. The mound is surrounded by a kerb of 115 stones and has two tombs facing westwards. On the 21st of December, the rays of the setting sun illuminate this passage in a manner similar to the winter solstice at Newgrange.
