The Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre is located in Donore, County Meath. Its interactive exhibition introduces the Neolithic culture, landscape and monuments of Brú na Bóinne. A full-scale replica of the chamber at Newgrange complements the exhibition and explores a remarkable structure of the region before you turn to the guided tours.

Tours and Visitor Centre

The visitor centre is the starting point for guided tours of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. From there, a shuttle bus takes visitors to Newgrange and Knowth. Access to these two monuments is available only as part of a guided tour. As arrangements may change, it is advisable to check the latest visitor information before your trip.

The visitor centre includes a tourism office, a gift shop, tea rooms, a large car park and a picnic area. Brambles is the café at the centre. If these facilities are important to your plans, check the latest information before your visit.

Landscape and heritage in Donore

Donore is set in a particularly sensitive landscape in the Boyne Valley and within the buffer zone of the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage Site. Near Donore are also the River Boyne and River Blackwater Special Area of Conservation (site code 002299) and the Special Protection Area of the same name (site code 004232). This designation highlights that the surrounding landscape, as well as the monuments, is part of the character of the place.

Designated buildings in Donore include Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. The remains of an old church stand in Donore cemetery. In Cruicerath, Donore, the presbytery of the Catholic Church of the Nativity of Our Lady retains original sliding sash windows, red-brick detailing and a carved limestone plaque. These architectural details offer a different perspective on local history from the major prehistoric monuments.

Things to do around the village

At Boyne Valley Wools in The Leck, Donore, the experience is called “Spin a Yarn”. Guests meet the animals, watch spinning and weaving demonstrations, and can make a needle-felted sheep as a keepsake. This combines traditional crafts with a hands-on activity and differs in theme from a visit to the archaeological sites.

Near the village of Donore, Red Mountain Open Farm offers more activities: play areas and animals, covered and open-air picnic facilities, a hay maze, a ride on the Blue Barrel Express, tractor-and-trailer rides, pedal tractors, go-karts, pony-and-trap rides, and walks through the countryside. The activities range from rides and play areas to exploring on foot. As activities may change, check the latest information before visiting.

Getting there and finding accommodation

Donore is served by bus route 163. If you are planning to travel by bus, check the latest timetable and route in advance.

In context: County Meath

Beyond Donore, County Meath offers an archaeological setting for your trip. Brú na Bóinne lies in a bend of the River Boyne and includes the passage tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, built around 3200 BC. Loughcrew Megalithic Cemetery is a group of Neolithic passage tombs dating to around 3000 BC, spread across four gently rolling hills. The comparison shows the different historical and landscape settings within County Meath without presenting them as a single sightseeing itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Pelletstown, Kells, Laytown, Collinstown, Trim, Dunsany, Enfield, Mullaghmore.

For the broader travel overview: County Meath.