Donore Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Above the entrance to the passage at Newgrange there is an opening called a roof-box. Its purpose is to allow sunlight to penetrate the passage and chamber at sunrise around the Winter Solstice. At 8:58am a narrow beam of light penetrates the roof-box and reaches the floor of the chamber, gradually extending to the rear of the passage. As the sun rises higher, the beam widens within the chamber so that the whole room becomes dramatically illuminated. After 17 minutes the sunbeam leaves the chamber and retreats back down the passage.
Above the entrance to the passage at Newgrange there is an opening called a roof-box. Its purpose is to allow sunlight to penetrate the passage and chamber at sunrise around the Winter Solstice. At 8:58am a narrow beam of light penetrates the roof-box and reaches the floor of the chamber, gradually extending to the rear of the passage. As the sun rises higher, the beam widens within the chamber so that the whole room becomes dramatically illuminated. After 17 minutes the sunbeam leaves the chamber and retreats back down the passage.
Newgrange is part of a complex of monuments built along a bend of the River Boyne known collectively as Brú na Bóinne. The other two principal monuments are Knowth (the largest) and Dowth, but throughout the region there are as many as 35 smaller mounds.. This, like Loughcrew, is also a Neolithic monument. It was constructed in about 3200BC which makes it older than Stonehenge and the pyramids!
Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre showing tranquil scenes and a river or creek
Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre showing a garden
Dalys Inn

Dalys Inn

3 out of 5
Main Street Donore Meath
The price is NZ$212 per night from 30 Jan to 31 Jan
NZ$212
30 Jan - 31 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this inn in Donore. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and an in-room coffee maker. Popular attractions Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre and Brú na ...
7.4/10 Good! (289 reviews)
Room was clean and bed comfy.

Reviewed on 16 Nov 2025

Dalys Inn
Premier Inn Dublin Airport

Premier Inn Dublin Airport

3 out of 5
Airside Retail Park Swords
The price is NZ$160 per night from 9 Feb to 10 Feb
NZ$160
9 Feb - 10 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Swords. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Malahide Castle and Croke Park are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (465 reviews)
Room was clean and comfortable. Staff were friendly. Our family enjoyed the buffet breakfast too. Great value for a family on a budget.

Reviewed on 14 Jan 2026

Premier Inn Dublin Airport
Newgrange Hotel

Newgrange Hotel

3 out of 5
Bridge Street Navan Co. Meath
Stay at this hotel in Navan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions Solstice ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (603 reviews)
Great room

Reviewed on 6 Jan 2026

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Newgrange Hotel
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Sheephouse Country Courtyard

Sheephouse Country Courtyard

4 out of 5
Sheephouse Donore Meath
Stay at this cottage in Donore. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Battle of Boyne Visitor Centre and Battle of the Boyne ...
Location Location Location
Nice accommodation (needs a better sofa!!!) but lacking for nothing otherwise...Close to newgrange & battle of boyne ...the boyne valley drive is a good one to do...lots to see & do

Reviewed on 25 Oct 2021

Sheephouse Country Courtyard
Seaside holiday Apartments

Seaside holiday Apartments

3.5 out of 5
Argyle Lodge, Six Cross Lane Rush Dublin
Stay at this beach apartment in Rush. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Popular attractions Lusk Heritage Centre and Skerries Mills are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (57 reviews)
it was exactly what we wanted - right on the Irish Sea; comfortably remote and quiet, but walking distance to grocery store and bus to Dublin. LOVED our time here! Jason & Mary were ever so helpful with different accesses/requests that we were hoping to explore; Jason greeted us on arrival and showed ...

Reviewed on 5 Sept 2025

Seaside holiday Apartments
Tara View Apartments

Tara View Apartments

3 out of 5
Moorepark Rathfeigh Co. Meath
Stay at this business-friendly apartment in Rathfeigh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Athcarne Castle and Viking ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (46 reviews)
Enjoy staying

Reviewed on 19 Nov 2025

Tara View Apartments
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre which includes interior views

Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre

You can browse the exhibits at Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre, a museum with a storied past, during your trip to Donore. Visit the lively bars or top-notch restaurants in this relaxing area.

Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre

Battle of the Boyne Battlefield

You can find out about the history of Donore with a stop at Battle of the Boyne Battlefield. Savour the top-notch restaurants and lively bars while in town.

Battle of the Boyne Battlefield

Dowth

You can find out about the history of Donore when you stop by Dowth. Savour the top-notch restaurants and lively bars while in town.

Dowth

Activities

Private Tour of Newgrange and The Hill of Tara

Private Tour of Newgrange and The Hill of Tara

NZ$1,311
per traveller
Private Tour of Newgrange and The Hill of Tara
Hill of Slane

Full Day Private Tour to Newgrange and The Boyne Valley

NZ$1,916
per traveller
Full Day Private Tour to Newgrange and The Boyne Valley
A happy family photo with Newgrange Megalithic Passage tomb in background

Dublin Full-Day Tour through Boyne Valley

NZ$1,813
per traveller
Dublin Full-Day Tour through Boyne Valley
See all activities in Donore

Cities near Donore

Adobe

Drogheda