History & Heritage Tour: Kells, Trim, Loughcrew Cairns, Fore

About This Tour

Ireland’s ancient east holds treasures that rival anything on the more famous tourist routes, and this full-day tour from Dublin uncovers the best of them. You will stand inside passage tombs that are 5,500 years old, walk the ruins of a medieval abbey steeped in legend, taste whiskey at a local distillery and visit a town whose name is synonymous with one of the world’s most famous manuscripts.

The day begins at Loughcrew Cairns, a hilltop complex of Neolithic passage tombs that predates both the Egyptian pyramids and Newgrange. Your guide brings the site to life with expert knowledge of the astronomical alignments and the people who built them. The views from the hilltop alone are worth the climb. From there, Fore Abbey reveals its legendary Seven Wonders amid beautifully atmospheric ruins that have been slowly reclaimed by nature.

A midday stop at a local whiskey distillery offers a change of pace. The owner takes you on a personal tour, sharing the stories and secrets behind Irish whiskey creation, followed by a tasting and time for lunch. The final stop is your choice: the historic town of Kells, famous for its association with the Book of Kells and home to a fine round tower and high cross, or Trim Castle, the largest and best-preserved Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland that also served as a filming location for Braveheart.

What’s Included

• Private vehicle and guide for the full day
• Guided tour of Loughcrew Cairns
• Distillery tour and whiskey tasting
• Dublin hotel pickup and drop-off

What’s Not Included

• Lunch (available at the distillery)
• Entrance fees to Trim Castle if chosen
• Gratuities

Good to Know

• Full-day tour of approximately 8 hours
• The climb to Loughcrew Cairns involves a moderate uphill walk
• Wear sturdy shoes and bring a rain jacket
• Choose between Kells and Trim Castle for your final stop
• Return to Dublin in time for dinner