The 2024 Bucket List Road Trip: 4 Weeks Exploring Ireland (Full Route + Itinerary)

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!