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Prehistoric Ireland

Prehistoric Ireland

8 days from $5,540

Departing: July 2027 - September 2027

Newgrange, Knowth and Inis Mor.

Experience the fascinating prehistory of Ireland on a tour which links two equally important regions of Ireland. From the Neolithic monuments in the fertile land of the Boyne Valley, we cross the island westwards to the wild landscapes of the Atlantic Coast and Galway. The monumental passage tomb of Newgrange is but one of the highlights as our journey takes us to numerous sites of significance including the Hill of Tara, once seat of the High Kings of Ireland; Carrowmore, the largest and oldest prehistoric cemetery site in Ireland and a visit to Dun Aengus on the largest and most mysterious of the Arran Islands, Inis Mor.

Included

  • Explore Creevykeel & the National Museum of Dublin, with entrance fees included
  • All other visits as outlined in the itinerary
  • Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager
  • 1 night at the Trinity City Hotel, Dublin, 2 nights at the Boyne Valley Hotel & Country Club, Drogheda, 2 nights at the Sligo Park Hotel, Sligo & 2 nights at the Galway Radisson Red Hotel, Galway
  • 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners 
  • Wine & tea or coffee with dinner
  • Private air-conditioned coach travel
  • Field notes, taxes & gratuities for local staff

Highlights

  • Take a boat trip to the island of Inis Mor and visit Dun Aengus
  • View one of the largest examples of an Irish Court Tomb at Creevykeel
  • Admire the collection of prehistoric artefacts at the National Museum of Dublin
  • Visit the Hill of Tara, with over 30 visible monuments, including the Stone of Destiny

Tour Itinerary

Arrive into Dublin and transfer to Fourknocks, home to a remarkable example of a passage tomb. Afterwards, we continue to our hotel in Dublin for one night.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Trinity City Hotel, Dublin

Day 1 Dublin
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We begin at the Old Library of Trinity College, Ireland's largest library and then go on to the 12th-century St Patrick’s Cathedral. Leaving Dublin, we head to Balriggan for lunch. After lunch, we visit the National Museum of Ireland before driving to Drogheda.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Boyne Valley Hotel & Country Club, Drogheda

Day 2 Pipers Stone Circle
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After breakfast, we journey to Newgrange, a monumental burial mound from the Neolithic period, which predates both Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Giza. A unique feature of the Newgrange passage is a stone box set in the roof, which allows the rising sun to shine along the passage at the time of the winter solstice and to hit the back of the rear chamber. This demonstrates not only the importance of astronomical events in the annual Neolithic calendar but also the engineering skills of the builders. Next, we visit Knowth, another extraordinary Neolithic mound that sits atop earlier occupation layers. Knowth features two passage graves: one with a simple, undifferentiated passage and the other with a remarkable cruciform terminal chamber. The main mound is adorned with more than 300 decorated stones, making it home to a group of megalithic art in Europe. Common motifs are spirals and serpentine forms. Our last visit of the day is to the Hill of Tara, once the historic seat of the High Kings of Ireland. We wander the Iron Age hilltop enclosure and view the so-called Stone of Destiny, a powerful symbol of Ireland’s ancient monarchy.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Boyne Valley Hotel & Country Club, Drogheda

Day 3 Newgrange Entrance
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We begin our day by heading to the passage grave cemetery at Loughcrew, also known as Slieve na Callighe, or Hill of the Witch, where we see some of the oldest monuments in Ireland. Cairn T, one of the largest tombs in the complex, is aligned to sunrise at the spring and autumn equinoxes and one of its kerbstones, known as the Hag’s Chair, has been shaped and decorated with a cross, likely as a place for celebrating the Catholic Mass during the penal times. We continue to the coastal town of Sligo. Located at the mouth of the Garavogue River, Sligo’s name – derived from the Gaelic ‘Shelly River’ – reflects its rich history. This natural harbour once served as a bustling trade hub, with visitors from the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans passing through its waters. After lunch, we encounter one of the best examples of an Irish Court Tomb at Creevykeel. These structures have a courtyard area surrounded by walls and their size and shape suggests that they were constructed for some kind of social event involving large gatherings of people.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Sligo Park Hotel, Sligo

Day 4 Stone Circle Cairn
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Today’s highlight is our visit to Carrowmore, the oldest prehistoric cemetery in Ireland and one of the most significant in Europe. The majority of its monuments are clustered around Listoghil, a great chamber and the only tomb in the site to contain inhumations rather than cremations. These ancient tombs were later re-used for burials during the Bronze and Iron Ages, long after their original construction. After lunch, we make a stop to view the Drumanone dolmen before continuing to the Carrowkeel megalithic complex. Reaching this atmospheric site requires a scenic one-mile walk through beautiful countryside. Like Carrowmore, Carrowkeel is a megalithic hilltop passage tomb cemetery, locally known as ‘the Pinnacles.’ From here, we can enjoy breathtaking views over Sligo Bay and the cairn-topped Knocknarea Hill.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Sligo Park Hotel, Sligo

Day 5 Drumanone
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We journey to Galway, situated at the mouth of the River Corrib at the head of Galway Bay. En route, we stop at Rathcroghan – the former capital, Connachta. The unique archaeological landscape, often referenced in early Irish medieval manuscripts, includes burial mounds, ringforts and medieval field boundaries from Neolithic up to the early medieval period. We arrive in Galway in the afternoon and visit the Galway City Museum to see its prehistoric collection.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Radisson RED, Galway

Day 6 Galway
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On our last full day, we catch a ferry across to Inis Mor, one of the three Arran islands. Here the island’s wild natural landscapes are accentuated by the thatched roofs of Irish stone cottages and dry stone walls, which criss-cross the island. It’s also rich in archaeological sites, the most impressive of which is Dun Aengus. This spectacular fort stands on the edge of the cliff of Inishmore and features a D-shaped plan, comprising concentric semi-circular defensive walls and a sheer drop of more than 100 metres to the sea.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Radisson RED, Galway

Day 7 Dun Aonghasa
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Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 Wooden Boat
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Accommodation

Our stay here in Dublin is brief as our focus is purely on the wonderful prehistoric collections contained in the National Museum of Ireland and our hotel has therefore been chosen for its location a short walk away from the Museum. The Trinity Hotel is a large, contemporary property greatly expanded beyond its original Georgian façade. Rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, hairdryer, tea and coffee-making facilities, safety deposit box, soundproofing and free Wi-Fi. There is also a restaurant, heated outdoor terrace and comfortable lounges to relax in after a busy day of sightseeing.

10 km west of Drogheda, the River Boyne bends southwards to flow round a low east-west ridge. This area, known as the Bend of the Boyne, shows a dense concentration of prehistoric sites, particularly of the Neolithic and early Bronze Age. Our base for exploration in this area is the Boyne Valley Hotel & Country Club. This former 19th-century Italianate mansion was once known as Cotton Hall because of the fields of flax grown here to supply the weaving industry. Part of this old estate now forms the landscaped gardens of the hotel grounds with sweeping lawns, tree-lined avenue and 16 acres of woods to explore. Rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, hairdryers, tea and coffee-making facilities and there is free Wi-Fi throughout. The hotel also has a swimming pool, tennis courts and a gym.

Sligo has a long-lasting strong Gaelic identity and remained under Irish control even during the Norman conquest. Our base here is the Sligo Park Hotel, a contemporary property situated on the outskirts of the town, about a mile from the bustling centre. Designed to appeal to visitors who come to play golf on the hotel course, its amenities also include an indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, gym and tennis courts plus a relaxed bar and restaurant. Rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, hairdryer, tea and coffee-making facilities, safety deposit box and there is free Wi-Fi throughout.

Today, Galway is a popular seaside destination, and the summer sees the narrow streets around the Latin Quarter fill with festival crowds and buskers. The Radisson Red Galway is situated outside the lively centre, a short two mile drive to the west, with a restaurant and rooftop bar popular for its panoramic views. A contemporary hotel, rooms are equipped with flat-screen TV, hairdryer, tea and coffee-making facilities, air-conditioning/heating and there is free Wi-Fi throughout.

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Availability & Booking

2027

31st July from $5,540

Call to Book

5th September from $5,540

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from $5,540

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