5,000 years old, 25 minutes away
Staying near Newgrange? Base yourself somewhere that matches the trip
Newgrange is older than the pyramids, and seeing it properly takes a full morning or afternoon — the tour alone runs 2 to 3 hours, before travel. Rathescar Grove gives you a genuine countryside stay nearby: mountain and farmland views, a private balcony room if you want a quiet evening after a busy day of history, and real breathing room between you and the next visitor centre car park.
The geography
Rathescar Grove sits in Lismanus, just outside Dunleer, roughly 22.5km from Newgrange — close enough for an easy morning drive, far enough that you're staying in genuine countryside rather than a car park hotel. All Newgrange visits start at the Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre, Donore, Co. Meath, A92 EH5C — you can't drive directly to the monument itself.
Where you'll stay · Ardee, Co. Louth
Rathescar Grove Guest House
A comfortable, welcoming guest house just outside Ardee — your base for exploring the Boyne Valley and beyond.
The rooms — and which one the kids want
The kids' pick
Book direct with us and skip the platform fee
The same room, the same stay — but booking directly through sosstays.com means you're not paying Airbnb or Booking.com's commission on top. Newgrange tours sell out fast and aren't cheap once you add a group up, so every euro saved on the room helps.
Book your Newgrange base direct →Before you go
Newgrange can only be visited on a booked tour — here's how that works
Newgrange is part of the Bru na Boinne UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with Knowth and Dowth. Every visit starts at the Visitor Centre in Donore — there's no walk-up entry and no driving directly to the monument, so pre-booking is essential.
Bru na Boinne Tour + Newgrange Chamber
The main season tour (1 March to 1 November): the Visitor Centre exhibition plus guided visits to both Newgrange's chamber and Knowth. About 3 hours total. €18 adult (2026 pricing) — always confirm on heritageireland.ie before booking.
Newgrange Tour + Exhibition
The only option from November to February, when Knowth is closed. Exhibition plus a guided visit inside the Newgrange chamber. About 2 hours.
Book early — it sells out
Tickets release 30 days ahead from April to October, and only 7 days ahead the rest of the year. Summer slots can sell out within hours — book as early as the window allows, especially if travelling as a group.
The chamber itself is tight
The passage and chamber are narrow, dimly lit, and involve uneven steps — not accessible for everyone, and worth preparing kids for a short, enclosed space in advance.
While you're in the area
More from our The Boyne Valley & Ardee guide
Stay somewhere that suits the trip
A quiet countryside base with real mountain and farmland views, close enough for an easy morning at Newgrange and a slow evening back at the farm. Book direct for the best rate.