Newgrange & Hill of Tara tour from Dublin: Private guide
Ancient tombs and royal seats in one morning, without the tour bus crowds
A private 6-hour guided tour from Dublin into Boyne Valley reaches Newgrange, a UNESCO-listed Neolithic tomb built around 3200 BC, and the Hill of Tara, where High Kings of Ireland once ruled. Your guide shares stories of Celtic kings and Saint Patrick's arrival as you walk both sites. The route includes optional stops at Howth fishing village or other sites depending on time and your interests. Transportation, water and a driver are included. Newgrange tickets are booked separately before the tour date.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Newgrange and Boyne Valley
- Travel from Dublin to Newgrange
- Visit Newgrange tomb
- Explore the Hill of Tara
- Optional visit to Four Knocks tomb
- Optional visit to Hill of Slane
- Optional visit to Monasterboice ruins
- Possible stop at Howth village for meal
- Return to Dublin
- Hill of Tara 1h
- Monasterboice 30m
What’s included
- Private transportation from Dublin.
- air-conditioned vehicle.
- WiFi on board.
- bottled water.
- live English-speaking guide.
Times
- Every day No fixed time
Before you book
Operated by IrishTours365
Prices and times updated 5 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The tour centers on Newgrange, a passage tomb older than the Egyptian pyramids, where you'll spend roughly two hours exploring the site itself. Tickets are booked in advance through a link the operator sends after your reservation. They follow a first-come, first-served system and can be purchased up to 30 days ahead. Once inside, your guide walks you through the chamber and explains the astronomical alignment and ritual significance of the structure, built by Neolithic people five thousand years ago.
From there, the route moves to the Hill of Tara, the ancient seat of Ireland's High Kings, where your guide recounts the political and religious importance of the place during the time of Christ and the later arrival of Saint Patrick. The hilltop itself offers views across the Boyne Valley and its scattered antiquities. Depending on time and your interests, the day may also include Monasterboice, an early Christian monastic ruin in County Louth; the Hill of Slane, where Saint Patrick lit a defiant fire against the pagan king; or Four Knocks, a five-thousand-year-old tomb with a distinctive pear-shaped chamber. Your guide is flexible and will adjust the stops based on what appeals to you and what fits the schedule.
The return journey can include a stop in Howth, a fishing village with Norse roots dating to 819 AD, where you can eat on your own. The vehicle is air-conditioned and equipped with WiFi and bottled water. You choose your start time when booking and can change it anytime before the tour date by contacting the operator.
Is this one for you?Book this if you're traveling as a couple or small group and want to move at your own pace without joining a shared bus tour. The private guide adjusts stops and timing to what interests you, and you set the start time to fit the rest of your Dublin day.
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Top questions
What exactly is Newgrange and why do I need to book tickets separately?
Newgrange is a passage tomb built around 3200 BC, recognized by UNESCO for its historical importance. Tickets are managed separately through a first-come, first-served online system. The operator will email you a link to purchase them after your booking, and they're available up to 30 days in advance. This arrangement lets you secure entry at your preferred time.
How much time do I actually spend at each site?
Newgrange takes roughly two hours of the six-hour tour. The Hill of Tara and other stops share the remaining time. Your guide will adjust the pace based on your interests and how much you want to linger at each place.
Can I visit Howth on the way back, and is a meal included?
Howth is an optional stop on the return if the schedule allows. It's a fishing village where you can eat on your own. No meal is included in the tour price, but your guide will recommend places and can stop there if you'd like.
What happens if I can't get Newgrange tickets? Is there a backup site?
If Newgrange tickets sell out, your guide can take you to Four Knocks instead, a five-thousand-year-old tomb with a distinctive chamber layout built into a hillside. It's an alternative Neolithic site in the same region.
Is this tour flexible if I want to see something else on the day?
Yes. Because it's a private tour, your guide will recommend adjustments based on your interests and can accommodate requests to explore something you spot along the way. The six-hour duration is standard, but additional hours can be arranged for an extra fee.
Newgrange & Hill of Tara tour from Dublin: Private guide
6h · EN · at your hotel
from € 850 per group
≈ US$ 976 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.