Day 27 (Meath) – Newgrange, Knowth, Trim Castle and more
As crazy as it feels to type it, we’re onto the very last day of our Ireland road trip.
Mad.
If you’ve managed to get this far, let me know in the comments at the end of this page!
We’re going to explore a good of chunk of Meath today.
1 – Newgrange
// Drogheda to Newgrange – 20-minute drive (arrive for 10:00) //
We’re going to leave Louth and head on to Meath.
Point your car in the direction of Newgrange.
Our next stop takes us to Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, which is where we’ll be accessing Newgrange and Knowth.
Things to know about the tour
- It takes 3 hours (you need to book it well in advance)
- Knowth is open from 30th March to 7th November
- Adult admission is €13.00
Built over 5,200 years ago by Stone Age farmers, Newgrange is an old passage tomb that has a clear astronomical alignment.
Newgrange is known globally for the illumination of its passage and chamber by the winter solstice sun. An event that is so sought after that a yearly lottery takes place for tickets.
For those of you who take the tour, you’ll be given an in-depth insight into its history.
Knowth was also constructed over 5,000 years ago – likely after the construction of Newgrange and before the construction of nearby Dowth.
The Great Mound at Knowth is a similar size to Newgrange and is surrounded by 18 smaller satellite mounds.
The Great Mound has two passages, one of which ends with a cruciform chamber.
Take your time and enjoy the tour.
2 – Trim Castle
// Newgrange to Trim Castle – 35-minute drive //
We’re going to round off the final day of our trip with a stroll around Trim Castle.
If you’re looking at the picture below and thinking that it looks like something from a movie, you’re spot on.
Trim Castle was used during the filming of Braveheart starring Mel Gibson.
Here’s a scene from the movie where it featured.
Some good-to-know stuff about Trim Castle
- Trim Castle was built In 1172, shortly after the arrival of the Anglo-Normans in Ireland
- It’s the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland
- It was built over a 30-year period by Hugh de Lacy and his son Walter
- Trim Castle was used to depict York Castle in the filming of the 1990’s Mel Gibson movie Braveheart
3 – A bed for the night
I’m going to recommend that you spend the night in the Trim Castle Hotel.
You’ll have a fine view of Trim castle and you can grab a bite to eat here before we head out for a few pints.
4 – Rounding off our Ireland road trip in style
// Trim Castle Hotel to James Griffin Pub – 5-minute walk //
We’re going to head to the James Griffin Pub and finish off our road trip in style.
It’s a traditional Irish pub that’s been on Trim High Street since the 1800s.
If you visit on a Thursday, you’ll have a Trad Session to accompany your pint. Those visiting on a Friday or Sunday will be treated to Acoustic Sessions, while a DJ will be rocking away on Saturdays.
Ireland road trip wrap up
And that my friends is a wrap.
You’re 25 day Ireland road trip comes to an end in Meath. You’ve conquered 20+ counties, visited hundreds of different places, sampled many a local pub, and experienced a good chunk of what Ireland has to offer.
I won’t lie – this guide took a long ass time to write.
The reason it took so long was because I spent a good chunk of time researching it before I ever started to type.
I want to make planning a trip to Ireland as hassle-free as possible, and I hope this Ireland road trip guide saves those of you reading it a lot of time.
If you loved it, let me know below. If you hated it, let me know. If you have any points to make, questions to ask or whatever else, let me know in the comments below!
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.
Janet
Wednesday 16th of October 2024
This was an epic endeavor. And sooo well done. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication. This is everything I could have asked for in planning a trip to Ireland. I wish I could have found it sooner. I have to settle for 14 days AND somehow hope to traverse most of this territory. We just learned that my husband's family is from Cavan Co. I really appreciated that it was included. It is the first time I have seen a tour include Cavan. Especially helpful was your inclusion of drive times between destinations. I had to hand write out your ideas or it would have been monumental to print out. I was overwhelmed at all the detail as I'm sure you were. Thank You so much.
Leeann Nolan
Wednesday 15th of November 2023
Hi Keith Thank you so much for all the work you have done on The Irish Road Trip. I have used much of it to plan my 7 week trip to Ireland in 2024. It has been invaluable :)
Mick Bourke
Sunday 24th of September 2023
G’day Keith-thanks for your trip. My wife and I will be over there in late April and most of May (about a month in total before heading to Scotland for a couple of weeks). I think I’ll be using your trip (which is great (as also is the additional info at the bottom)) as the basis for ours, however, I would like to do abit more of the inland (like a figure eight of the island). Do you have any suggestions?
Keith O'Hara
Wednesday 27th of September 2023
Hey Mick,
Is there anywhere in particular you have in mind with the inland section?
Cheers,
Keith
MIchael Katekar
Tuesday 11th of July 2023
A big thank you for all of the time and hard work you have put into this blog. Great information. I don't think we can keep up with your pace but will certainly take up many of your suggestions.
Isabella Dennison
Sunday 26th of March 2023
Good day Keith,
Wow, what an amazing work you've done! I'm forever grateful!!! Please can you email this to me. We are planning to explore Ireland for the first time this year 2023, all the way from South Africa.
Thank you
Keith O'Hara
Monday 27th of March 2023
Thanks Isabell!
Sorry it's taken me so long to reply!
I've tried to get this converted to PDF on a number of occasions, but the result is very messy due to the volume of photos in it.
If there's any specific questions that I can help with, please fire them on and I'll do my best to answer them.
Keith