Boyne Valley Day Tours

11/07/2024

Newgrange in the Boyne Valley https://boynevalleytours.com/tour_location/newgrange/

21/06/2024

Large flowered evening primrose (Oenothera glazioviana) has started to bloom in Boyne Valley gardens. Originally from South America, it brings generous summer colour to Irish gardens.

12/02/2024

Newgrange https://boynevalleytours.com/tour_location/newgrange/

28/01/2024

My first tour of the 2024 season, delighted with the review on Google https://g.page/r/CTxGEu4D2xY7EB0/

19/12/2023

First of the Winter Solstice mornings at Newgrange 2023

11/12/2023

03/12/2023

A bright cold day at Newgrange in Ireland’s Ancient East https://boynevalleytours.com/tour_location/newgrange/

A foggy start has given way to beautiful sunny afternoon.
📸 Ailbhe

01/09/2023

Bective Abbey in the Boyne Valley https://boynevalleytours.com/tour_location/bective-abbey/

10/08/2023

The chamber of Fourknocks Passage Tomb https://boynevalleytours.com/tour_location/fourknocks/

Fourknocks Passage Tomb, County Meath. C. 3,200 BC

One of the smaller Irish passage tombs, compared with the mega-tombs in the Boyne Valley to the north, it nevertheless has a seemingly over-sized central chamber with three side recesses arranged to a cruciform plan. Its cool, quiet interior made a welcome refuge from the heat on a fine bank holiday Monday just gone.

I’ve taken lots of similar photographs over the years, this is the classic view of the three side recesses as seen from the passage. The cold, blue light from the ingenious light shafts built into the modern dome above which highlights the carvings and side chambers has often appeared in publications and online. To capture a more warm, ethereal feel I used several coloured lights arranged in the chambers and painted in some shadow fill with a handheld torch.

The carvings inside Fourknocks are among the finest in Ireland, with a somewhat formal and well planned feel. Two of the recesses have a lintel covered in rows of zig-zags, if you zoom in to the photo they should be easy to make out. To the right is a loose stone which has a very fine set of zig-zags on its edge, with some less formally applied circular and curvilinear designs on its wide outward face.

12/07/2023

Old Mellifont Abbey in the Boyne Valley https://boynevalleytours.com/mellifont-abbey/

What a terrific Tuesday morning at Old Mellifont Abbey. Curious cows chew the cud and bask in the glorious sunshine looking through what remains of the Gatehouse of the Abbey. The porter manned the gate and represented the Abbey to the outside world. He mediated between the community and those outside. He welcomed visitors and announced their arrival or any of their requests to the abbot but he also ensured they did not disrupt the monastic life within the Abbey. He was also often responsible for dispensing charity on behalf of the community, distributing food and clothing to the poor.
You will find the guides at Old Mellifont Abbey will be only too delighted to welcome you as you visit, we do not dispense charity but would be very happy to give you a guided tour of the beautiful site.
All welcome.
⭐reminder of the ISL tour of Old Mellifont Abbey Sunday July 16th at 12noon, free of charge, reserve your ticket by email [email protected]

12/07/2023

The Hill of Slane https://boynevalleytours.com/tour_location/hill-of-slane/

11/06/2023

Perennial or everlasting peas gone native in a Boyne Valley hedgerow.

28/04/2023

Rhododendron at Kilmacurragh Gardens in Wicklow https://boynevalleytours.com/tours/wicklow-gardens-scenery/

10/03/2023

Snowy scene at Loughcrew Cairn T this morning https://boynevalleytours.com/loughcrew-cairns/

Just had the most magical walk up the hill to see the cairns in the snow ❄️⛄️😍

I’ll share more photos and videos once I warm up but here’s a pic of Cairn T for now 😍

For anyone thinking of going up today, the snow is very deep in places so definitely bring the welly’s!!

.ie