Boyne Valley, Celtic Ireland & Slane Castle Whiskey
1 day tour
Normans, Pagans, and Celts: discover 5,000 years of Irish history in a day.
Tour map
Tour Highlights
Places you explore
Fourknocks - Walk into a 5,000-year-old tomb and find an ancient Celtic ‘smiley face’ carving.
Monasterboice High Crosses - Standing five metres tall, this cross is a masterpiece of Medieval European stonework.
Slane Castle - Where 300 years of history meets Irish whiskey and spectacular rock concerts.
Bective Abbey - The simple design of this well-preserved abbey reflects the pious builders’ rejection of extravagant embellishments.
Trim Castle - It’s easy to wander astray in Europe’s largest Norman castle.
Your journey
You’re taught to believe history is made of separate eras. The Prehistoric Period, the Pagans, the Bronze Ages, and so forth.
But here’s the thing. In reality, cultures and civilisations slowly evolve, clash, and merge. And nowhere is this more apparent than in central Ireland.
On this tour, you see curious Celtic art intertwined with Christian symbolism. You admire one of the grandest Norman castles and meander over the mythological landscapes of Pagan kings. And you explore the splendour of an 18th-century castle before tasting locally distilled Irish whiskey.
Join this tour and discover the best way to travel through the cultural history of Ireland in a day.
Tour Details
Check-in closes at 23:45 (tour departs at ) - ,
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You're restricted to kg (0lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.
Students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don't carry children under 5 years old)
- Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
- Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
- Air conditioning as standard
- The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
- Entry fees to visitor attractions
- Tour accommodation
Itinerary
You travel from Dublin deep into the gorgeous, green landscape of County Meath. This area is soaked in ancient history, and they even say the mythical High Kings of Ireland once lived here.
Your first stop is the Fourknocks Megalithic Passage Tomb. More than 5,000 years ago Neolithic farmers constructed this site. That’s older than the pyramids. So, wander in and come face to face with some of the oldest human history you can encounter.
After this, it’s time to see one of Ireland’s finest relics at Monasterboice, the Celtic High Cross of Muiredach. This huge and famous masterpiece depicts Biblical tales and combines Celtic art with Christian symbolism. Study the carvings and see if you can figure out the meaning.
You then continue inland following the River Boyne Valley. Our next stop is elegant Slane Castle and Distillery. Relax over lunch in Browne’s Bar and Snug then join the distillery tour where you can hear about the unique three cask process that makes Slane Irish Whiskey such a unique blend in an equally unique setting. Taste for yourself the flavours of the Boyne Valley before we continue through the next part of the story of Ireland’s Ancient East.
You then continue to the 12th-century Bective Abbey. You have time here to take a few photos and enjoy the simple architecture of this ancient monument.
Now it’s time to compare the peaceful and subtle religious architecture with the mighty, fortified Trim Castle. You can let your imagination run wild at this hugely impressive Norman castle. There are walls to climb, a large castle keep to explore, and plenty of reconstructions and curiosities to discover.
And then you head back home to Dublin. You’ve ventured through 5,000 years of history, ancient Celtics myths, legends, castles and whiskey in a day. After all that time travelling, it may be time to enjoy a pint of the black stuff.
FAQs
Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?
The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.
Is there parking close to the departure point?
We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.
When should I get to the departure point?
Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.
What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?
If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.
What are your cancellation policies?
Your cancellation terms depend on which tour you've booked.
For one-day tours: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more before the tour departure
For tours of between two and nine days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 15 or more days before the tour departure
For tours of 10 or more days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 21 or more days before the tour departure
For all European packaged tours: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 42 days before the tour departure.
If you cancel inside these notice periods, full charges will apply and no refunds will be issued.
To cancel your booking, email tours@rabbies.com as soon as possible. The effective date of cancellation will be the date we receive written confirmation from you.
Click here to view terms and conditions
Can Itineraries change?
Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. Your driver-guide will keep you up to date on the road, and we'll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.
Can I pre-book a specific seat?
Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.
Are there toilets on the bus?
Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.
How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?
We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.
Do you take children on your tours?
We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.
You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.
How much time do I get off the bus?
We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.
Why do you exclude visitor attractions?
We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.
Do we need to bring our own lunch?
You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.
Should I tip the driver-guide?
Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.
What about travel insurance?
We advise you take out travel insurance.
What is ABTOT?
You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.
I have more questions, who can help me?
If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email tours@rabbies.com , or check out our full FAQs .
Restrictions
We regret we dont carry children under the age of 5 years old on our scheduled tours.
If your child is less that 1.35m tall, you should let us know and we will provide a suitable booster seat.
You're restricted to kg (0lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.