Which one to choose in Ireland
Two ancient sites in Ireland. Hill of Tara has 3 tickets and tours to book; Newgrange has 6 tickets and tours to book. The table and the two notes below put them side by side; the full pages have what to see, the ticket and the timing for each.
Navan, Ireland
The Hill of Tara in County Meath is the ancient ceremonial seat of the High Kings of Ireland, a grassy ridge about 45 km north-west of Dublin. Its earthworks span more than 3,000 years, from a Neolithic passage tomb of around 3200 BC to Iron Age royal enclosures, and the Stone of Destiny still stands on the summit.
Donore, Ireland
Newgrange is a Neolithic passage tomb in the Boyne Valley, built around 3100 BC and so older than Stonehenge and the Giza pyramids. A guided tour takes you along its stone passage into the corbelled chamber, where the winter solstice sunrise still shines through a slot above the entrance, an event recreated with lights on every visit.
| Hill of Tara | Newgrange | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Megalithic Site | Megalithic Site |
| Civilisation | Prehistoric | Prehistoric |
| Founded | 3200 BC | 3100 BC |
| Area | — | 4 500 m² |
| Entry | Free; small fee for the summer visitor centre | Modest OPW fee for exhibition and tour; Heritage Card valid |
| Hours | Hill open at all times; visitor centre in the old church open in summer only | Visitor centre opens daily from 9 am; closing between 5 pm and early evening by season |
| Time needed | 1 to 1.5 hours | 2 to 3 hours with the visitor centre |
| Booking | No booking needed; tours from Dublin should be booked ahead | Book online in advance; summer tours sell out days ahead |
| UNESCO | — | yes |
| Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide | 3 | 6 |
| Official website | — | yes |