Full-Day Irelands Ancient Boyne Valley Private Guided Tour

About This Tour

Michael Fox your Private Tour Guide is passionate about the ancient sites in the Boyne Valley and has been running websites on the area for over 20 years.

What’s Included

• Private transportation
• Bottled water
• Air-conditioned vehicle

What’s Not Included

• Lunch
• Gratuities

Itinerary

1. Private guided tour of the Hill of Tara, a Celtic ceremonial site associated with kingship rituals. The summit of the hill is enclosed by a Iron Age Royal Enclosure known as the Fort of the Kings. There are two interlinked earthworks within the enclosure, Cormac’s House and the Royal Seat. In the middle of the Royal Seat is a standing stone known as the Lia Fáil (Stone of Destiny) at which the High Kings were crowned. According to legend when the true King held the stone, it would let out a screech that could be heard all over Ireland. (60 min)
2. Private guided tour of the 5000 year old Stone Age Cairns spread across the hills at Loughcrew. The Irish name for the site is Slieve na Caillaigh, which means “mountain of the hag”. Legend has it that the monuments were created when a giant hag, striding across the land, dropped her cargo of large stones from her apron. (60 min)
3. Private guided tour of Dowth megalithic passage tomb. Dowth is the one of the three principal tombs of the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site. Although not as well-known, it compares in size to both Newgrange and Knowth. Like Newgrange, Dowth is aligned with the winter solstice. During this period in December, the setting sunlight penetrates the passage tomb and illuminates three stones within the central chamber. (60 min)
4. Private guided tour of Fourknocks tomb, a hidden gem, located just outside the village of Ardcath, Co. Meath. It derives its name from the Irish, Fuair Cnoic or ‘cold hills.’ The mound was built around 5,000 years ago, a similar timeline to both the Newgrange and Knowth tombs. Whilst Fourknocks is too far north to have a solar alignment, it is however aligned with the path of the winter solstice sunrise towards Newgrange. During stone age times, the passage tomb was aligned with the helical rising of the ‘W’ shaped constellation of Cassiopeia, perhaps accounting for the dominance of ‘W’ shaped zig zag engravings. (60 min)

Good to Know

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

This is a private tour. Available in: en.