Boyne Valley Drive

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The Boyne Valley Drive is a scenic route that follows the Boyne River through counties Louth and Meath. What makes this drive remarkable, is the fact that the attractions along the route cover 9,000 years of history! In comparison to routes such as the Wild Atlantic Way, the Boyne Valley Route is a lot more accessible to tourists on the East Coast of Ireland, and in total measures only 220km long. 

In total, the route visits 22 historic attractions along the way while also visiting towns such as Drogheda, Navan, Old Castle, Trim, Slane Village and Kells. Among the top highlights is the UNESCO World Heritage Sight of Newgrange, Nowth and Dowth. If following the Boyne Valley Drive, this is the first attraction to visit. While every attraction along the way is worth a visit, this article will focus on the highlights along the route.

Collectively known as Brú na Búinne which translates to Bend of the Boyne, Newgrange, Nowth and Dowth are one of the most important Megalithic sites in Europe, built on a bend in the River Boyne. Newgrange in particular is spectacular, having being built around 3200 BC, making it older than the pyramids. Newgrange is a circular mound with a passageway and interior chambers. What makes Newgrange different is the fact that on the winter solstice, the rising sun lights the entire passageway through a gap over the doorway. It is thought this signalled the shortest day in the year. Visitors to Newgrange can experience an approximation of what this event looks like through artificial lighting during tours of the mound. 

The next major attraction is the Hill of Tara. The Hill of Tara is an archaeological complex situated in the area between the towns of Navan and Dunsuaghlin. Visitors to the Hill of Tara will enjoy a number of attractions. According to legend, the Hill of Tara was the seat of the High King and associated pagan clerics and druids. It is believed there were 142 High Kings in Ireland. This is one of the most sacred places in Irish folklore. While visiting the Hill of Tara for the mounds and monuments alone might be underwhelming, the views from the top of the Hill of Tara are stunning. On a clear day you can see great distances over the Midlands of Ireland. According to legend Saint Patrick first confronted the Celtic religion on the Hill of Tara.

Ireland is famous for Castles, and there is no more impressive example than Trim Castle. The castle buildings that visitors today was built around 1200 and is the largest castle in Ireland. The castle was protected by a ditch, curtain walls and a moat. The Keep is three stories, has 20 sides and takes the form of a crucifix. Such was the protection offered by the castle that during the 15th Century it served as meeting place for the Irish Parliament a number of times, and at one stage was even the mint. Many people will recognise the castle from the Mel Gibson movie Braveheart.

For more information on the Boyne Valley Drive, including a maps, photographs and information about each of the