Knowth Passage Tomb – Boyne River Valley, Ireland

Knowth Passage Tomb and the other passage tombs of the Boyne Valley, known collectively as Brú na Bóinne is a perfect day trip to take from Dublin, Ireland. At less than an hour away, it’s an archaeological feat that shouldn’t be missed. These passage tombs are an UNESCO World Heritage Site and are even older than the pyramids.

NEED TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING KNOWTH PASSAGE TOMB

⋙ KNOWTH PASSAGE TOMB IS ONE OF TWO PASSAGE TOMBS – When you’re deciding on which passage tomb or tomb complex to visit know that each has its own thing that makes it unique. Newgrange is the tomb everyone talks about because of its solstice alignment, but Knowth Passage Tomb was absolutely incredible.
⋙ BOOK YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE – We showed up without purchasing tickets in advance, because of that we had to wait a couple of hours to get to explore Knowth Passage Tomb. You can only visit these passage tombs on their tours.
⋙ PRICE OF TICKETS – Adult Tickets: €6 // Child Tickets: €4 (Knowth Passage Tomb + Exhibition) 
Adult Tickets: €7 // Child Tickets: €4 (Newgrange Passage Tomb + Exhibition)
Adult Tickets: €13 // Child Tickets: €8 (Newgrange, Knowth + Exhibition)
VISIT AS PART OF A TOUR – If you’re more comfortable with a tour, you can take a day trip that includes the passage tombs along with castles. This tour includes transfer to and from Dublin!

VISITING KNOWTH PASSAGE TOMB

You walk a short path to where the buses pick you up to take you to the parking area of Knowth Passage Tomb then you wait for your bus to take you to the archaeological site. From there, you have a guided tour of the main passage tomb and then you get free time to walk around the smaller mounds. What’s crazy is that these were completely hidden for hundreds of years. 
The view from atop the main passage tomb 
Knowth has one of the most amazing examples of megalithic art in all of Western Europe in the form of these gorgeous mantle stones. There are dozens and dozens of these gorgeous stones and they surround the major passage tomb. The designs are geometric and beautiful. Each one is unique and it’s amazing that that so much of this detail has survived.

Your guide takes you inside the passage tomb, where you learn more about the history of Knowth passage tomb. This site was used again and again by different peoples and cultures throughout the years. The mounds slipped over time that made these mounds simply blend into the landscape. The entrances and the mantle stones were covered, but excavations done in the 1900’s shed light on these sacred sites.
I found that walking around the smaller sites on my own was my favorite part of visiting Knowth passage tomb. Along with doing this, there are stairs that lead up to the top of the main tomb. This allows a wonderful perspective on not only the mounds below, but also gorgeous views all along the Boyne River Valley. From the top you can even see Slane Hill and Newgrange.
Woodhenge – this is a reconstruction made in the prehistoric postholes that were found near the entrance of Knowth  It’s amazing how you can simple stumble upon a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I had never heard of Knowth, but now when anyone asks me what the highlight of my trip to Ireland was, I always say Knowth passage tomb. It’s such a sacred, beautiful, historic site. With it being such an easy drive from Dublin and incredibly affordable, I can’t recommend it enough.

WHERE TO STAY IN DROGHEDA

Drogheda is the nearest town to Knowth and the other passage tombs. Drogheda is only a 15 minute drive from the Knowth.
THE BUDGET OPTION – SPOON AND THE STARS HOSTEL – You can sleep here for as little as €22 if you’re looking for a dorm. Private rooms start at €65. This hostel gets an 8.2 rating and is located in the heart of Drogheda’s walled city.
THE BEST DOWNTOWN LOCATION – WESTCOURT HOTEL – This hotel gets and 8.4 rating and checks off all the things I look for in a hotel: good ratings, great location (heart of old town), reasonable rates and breakfast available for purchase.
THE QUAINT COUNTRYSIDE OPTION – LISTOKE HOUSE  – This country house looks so cozy. Listoke sits about two miles outside of Drogheda. It’s even closer to the Newgrange + Knowth Passage tombs. I love that this would give a Irish countryside feel in a beautiful home. Plus, it’s affordable and breakfast is included!

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