Boyne Valley Castles & Abbeys

8hrs | €525

Book online now!

Boyne Valley Castles & Abbeys

Home > Tours > Boyne Valley Castles & Abbeys

Duration

8 hours

Price

€525

Suitable for

All ages,
small private group

Book online now!

Duration

8 hours

Price

€525

Suitable for

All ages,
small private group

Book online now!

When you choose a Boyne Valley Castles and Abbeys private tour, you will experience first-hand the rich history and magnificence of the many beautiful and imposing buildings and ruins in existence across the Boyne Valley.

You will have the undivided attention of your own expert tour guide who will share fascinating information and legends, truly bringing the past to life. You will journey in a private vehicle in comfort and arrive at each location relaxed and ready to explore.

Tour Highlights

Trim Castle – the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland.
Bective Abbey – Cistercian abbey founded in 1147.
Slane Castle – the family home of the Conyngham family since the 18th century.
Hill of Slane – where St. Patrick lit the Paschal Fire in 433.
Mellifont Abbey – Cistercian Abbey founded in 1142.
Monasterboice – Early Christian site with round tower and 10th century high crosses.

Make a booking today!

When you book with Boyne Valley Tours, you will experience over 5,000 years of Irish culture and history, plus breath-taking scenery.

Phone within Ireland: 087 8354805
International or WhatsApp: +353 87 8354805
USA/Canada: 011 353 87 8354805

Book online now!

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Itinerary

Boyne Valley Tours will provide private transportation to the Boyne Valley with a personal tour guide.

Monasterboice	The first destination on this very special Boyne Valley Castles and Abbeys private tour is the impressive early Christian site at Monasterboice. The location includes an outstanding 115 foot tall round tower and boasts some of the finest examples of 10thcentury Celtic High Crosses in Ireland. Muiredach’s Cross is Ireland’s most beautiful High Cross and West Cross is the tallest remaining High Cross in the country.

Mellifont Abbey	Not far from Monasterboice, at Mellifont, the well-preserved remains of Ireland’s first Cistercian abbey founded by St. Malachy of Armagh in 1142 are a stunning sight. By 1170, Mellifont Abbey housed 100 monks and 300 lay brothers and was the main abbey in Ireland until, like Bective Abbey three years prior, it was confiscated in 1539 by Henry VIII. Later, in 1690, it served as headquarters for William of Orange during the Battle of the Boyne.

The Hill of Slane	A short drive from Mellifont, the Hill of Slane, visible on approach to the charming medieval village of Slane, was where in 433AD Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick, lit an Easter Paschal fire in defiance of Tara’s pagan King Laoghaire. St. Patrick prevailed and eventually Christianity spread throughout Ireland. There are a number of historic sites located on the 518ft summit of the hill including the ruins of a college and friary church with its 62 ft high early Gothic tower. Legend has it the hill is also the burial place of one of Ireland’s earliest kings, Sláine. Located on the west side of the hill are the remains of a twelfth century Norman motte and bailey or ‘mound and castle’ built by Richard Fleming in the 1170s, the seat of the Flemings, barons of Slane.

Slane Castle	Your private tour arrives next at beautiful Slane Castle, set in picturesque grounds on the outskirts of medieval Slane village. The castle has been home to the Conyngham family since the early 18th century. Slane Castle dates back over 300 years, when the property was acquired by the family in 1701. Around that time, the Conynghams moved their main ancestral seat south from County Donegal to Slane. In 1991, a fire in the castle caused extensive damage to the building and completely gutted the eastern section facing the River Boyne. The castle reopened in 2001 after the completion of a ten year restoration programme. Since 1981, Slane Castle has hosted huge rock concerts – the natural amphitheater has an 80,000 person capacity. In 2015 American company, Brown Forman, makers of Jack Daniels whiskey acquired the Slane Whiskey Distillery, housed in the stables of the castle. The whiskey is triple-casked in virgin American oak casks, seasoned Tennessee whiskey casks and in Spanish sherry casks.

Bective Abbey	Following the course of the Boyne River south west from Slane, your private tour arrives at Bective Abbey, the second Cistercian abbey to be founded in Ireland in 1147 after Mellifont Abbey. In 1195 the headless body of Hugh de Lacy (the Anglo-Norman Lord of Meath who built Trim Castle) was reinterred at the Abbey, his head going to St. Thomas’ Abbey, Dublin (the head and body were later reunited and reinterred in St. Thomas’ in Dublin). The cloister (a covered walkway for contemplation and prayer) and the domestic buildings where the monks lived and worked were rebuilt on a smaller scale in the 15th century. Two sections of this cloister walkway survive. Bective Abbey and its 1600 acres of land was confiscated in 1536, as part of the campaign by Henry VIII to control the wealth and power of the church. The abbey was converted into a great mansion with the insertion of new fireplaces, chimneys and large stone windows. Together with nearby Trim Castle, Bective Abbey was used as a location during the shooting of Mel Gibson’s 1995 movie, Braveheart.

Trim Castle	Your private tour concludes in Trim at the magnificent Trim Castle, built in 1172 by the Norman baron, Hugh de Lacy, it is the largest Norman castle in Ireland and is simply breath-taking. It features a unique central keep – a three storey, 20 sided tower with walls an incredible nine foot thick. The town of Trim derives its name from Baile Átha Troim or ‘Town of the Ford of the Elder Trees which indicates that this was an important fording point on the River Boyne. Over the centuries Trim Castle passed through different important families until the War of the Roses when it was eventually seized as a royal property. Trim Castle was the location for King John’s Castle in the 1995 movie, ‘Braveheart’ directed by and starring Mel Gibson.

With all of our Boyne Valley Private Tours, we are happy to recommend lunch and coffee stops on the day (please note meals are not included in tour prices).

After a wonderful day, Boyne Valley Tours will drive you back to your accommodation in a private vehicle.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Book online now!

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Exclusions

Admission fees, meals.

Cancellation Policy
- Full refund or future credit if the tour is canceled up to 30 days before a tour.
- 50% refund between 30 days and 10 days before a tour.
- No refund will be issued within 10 days of a tour.
The itinerary can be customized even while on tour! In case you have any particular interest, let me know so we can adapt it!

cherylwN6629MH21/05/22

				“Wonderful Tour” Michael arranged a marvelous full day tour of Boyne Valley for us. Besides the Neolithic sites of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, which were a must for us, he included Mellifont Abbey, several High Irish Crosses and a fascinating image called

Sheela-na-gig. He picked us up and dropped us off at our hotel. And arranged for the tickets ahead. Michael is a professional guide with incredible knowledge of the Boyne Valley. This is truly the only way to see this historic area. Highly recommended.				
W3439COdanar20/07/22

				“Unforgettable!” Michael from Boyne Valley Tours is truly in a class of his own. I have never had a guide go to such lengths to make a custom tour fit our requests so exactly! In addition to perfect activities and sites, Michael is very pleasant and full of knowledge of the area. It was more like we were being shown around by a friend than by a hired guide. Yes, this area of the country is beautiful, and you will probably enjoy seeing it however you get there. Boyne Valley Tours, though, takes everything to the next level, shows you sites you would never see on your own (which also means fewer crowds) and gives the perfect amount of commentary to help you appreciate the area you are visiting. I will be forever grateful for helping make this special trip even more extraordinary. The day we spent on this tour will never be forgotten. (So, stop reading reviews and just book this tour!!)				
Hamilton7653120/07/22

				“One of our best days in Ireland – Thanks Michael!” We really enjoyed the trip through the countryside on the way to Newgrange and Dowth – the UNICEF sight is spectacular. Other stops included Hill of Slane (and history related thereto), Slane Castle, Mainistir Bhuithe area (especially enjoyed the old stone Celtic crosses and the Monasterboice Round Tower), Mellifont Abbey ruins, and our visit to the Battle of Boyne visitor center and gardens. He even made a quick stop at St. Peters Church in Drogheda to see a very interesting relic of Saint Oliver Plunkett.

Michael Fox provided great historical insights everywhere we went – enjoyable, very knowledgeable, and full of personal experiences in area (he and family live there) – willing to answer all our questions and tailor the day to fit our interests (history, old churches and the Irish country side) – in all, one of our best days in Ireland.				
SpiritCPatriciaW18/07/22

				“Excellent Tour!” This was a special trip for my mother-in-law to visit Ireland and see where her ancestors emigrated from. Michael picked us up from the airport right on time and drove us around the Boyne Valley, stopping at the Hill of Tara, Hill of Slane, and Knowth and Newgrange. He was very knowledgable on the local area. After the tour he dropped us off at our hotel in Dublin. This was one of the best days of our trip! I would definitely hire Michael again!				
brendasL4015WZ20/09/21

				Great tour! Our day with Michael was memorable!  His Boyne Valley Tour covered far more than we could have accomplished otherwise. Michael is very knowledgeable, easy to understand, and entertaining. He also offered solid insights and suggestions for our onward Ireland travel. He has a very nice and comfortable car. Michael is an all around great guide!