Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre facts for kids
The Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre is a special place in Ireland. It's the main entry point for exploring the ancient sites of Brú na Bóinne. This area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Brú na Bóinne means 'Valley of the Boyne'.
The Visitor Centre helps people see famous ancient tombs. These include the amazing passage graves of Newgrange and Knowth. The centre is about eight kilometers west of Drogheda. It is located in County Meath, Ireland.
About the Centre
The Visitor Centre is near a village called Donore, County Meath. It sits on the south side of the River Boyne. The ancient monuments, like Newgrange, are on the north side.
You can only visit the passage graves with a guided tour. All tours start at the Visitor Centre. Visitors join the next available tour. The inside of the monuments is small. Because of this, only about 700 people can visit each day in busy times. Tickets can sell out fast, especially in summer.
Visitors walk across a footbridge to cross the river. Then, a shuttle bus takes them to the monuments.
The Visitor Centre is open all year. It has longer hours in the summer. Inside, you'll find a big, interactive exhibit about the Brú na Bóinne area. There's also a video show. You can even see a copy of the inside of Newgrange that is easy for wheelchairs to access.
The centre also has a tourist office and a gift shop. You can get food and drinks at the tea rooms. There is a large car park and a picnic area too.
A bus service runs from Drogheda to the Visitor Centre. It goes through Donore village. The bus times change depending on the season.
It's harder to visit other ancient sites in the Brú na Bóinne area. Many smaller tombs are on private land. You need permission from the landowners to see them. The Office of Public Works protects all these ancient sites.
Where It Is
The Visitor Centre is on the south side of the River Boyne. The famous site of Newgrange is on the north side. You can get to Newgrange directly from the centre using a footbridge.
The centre is about 8.4 kilometers west of Drogheda. It is also about 1 kilometer from the village of Donore.
See also
In Spanish: Centro de visitantes de Brú na Bóinne para niños
