Self-Drive Tours in Meath

The Boyne Valley is one of Ireland's most compact and historically dense self-drive regions. Newgrange, the Hill of Tara, Trim Castle, and the Battle of the Boyne are all within 30 minutes of each other — a single day can cover 5,000 years of Irish history without long drives between stops.

The critical planning point is Newgrange. Access to the passage tombs is strictly through the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre near Donore — no private vehicles can approach the tombs themselves. You park at the visitor centre and board a shuttle bus to Newgrange or Knowth. Tours must be booked in advance, especially from May to September when slots fill weeks ahead. Allow half a day for the visitor centre and a tomb tour.

The Hill of Tara, 20 minutes south, is the opposite experience — freely accessible, no booking required, and best visited in the morning or late afternoon when the light is low across the five counties visible from the hilltop. The Lia Fáil (Stone of Destiny) and the ring forts need no guide to appreciate, though guided tours run from the visitor centre in summer.

Trim Castle, 30 minutes west of Tara, is the largest Anglo-Norman fortress in Ireland and a Braveheart filming location. The town of Trim preserves a medieval street layout, and the castle tour covers the keep, curtain walls, and the story of Hugh de Lacy. The Battle of the Boyne visitor centre at Oldbridge, between Newgrange and Drogheda, adds the 1690 battlefield to the day's timeline.

Our self-drive packages include a diverse range of vehicles with fully comprehensive insurance and zero excess, unlimited mileage, and all tolls covered.