The monument has been recognized as much more than a passage tomb. An ancient temple is a more fitting description of Newgrange. Because it is a place of astrological, religious and ceremonial importance. In the 12th century, the mound and land around Newgrange became part of an outlying farm owned by the Cistercian Abbey of Mellifont Because these farms were referred to as ‘granges’, by 1378 it was simply called ‘the new grange’.

Newgrange is world famous for the phenomena around the time of the winter solstice in December when a single shaft of dawn sunlight penetrates and precisely illuminates the inner chamber.

Visitors to the historic site can experience the winter solstice illumination at any time of the year and this is often the highlight of the Brú na Boínne Visitor Experience official tour. Once every tour member is present inside, the lights are turned off, plunging the tomb into darkness. A light then simulates the sun as it would appear at dawn on the winter solstice, slowly illuminating the passageway and inner chamber. A lottery is held annually for tickets to allow just 20 people entry per morning to the tomb to view the actual event.

The east-west orientation of the passages at Knowth suggests an astronomical alignment with the equinoxes occurring in March and September. The alignment at Knowth does not however occur today due to the original entrances to the passages being destroyed, making it difficult to establish if an alignment existed in the first place.

Similar to Newgrange, the imposing mound at Knowth dates from around 3200BC and contains over a third of the total number of examples of Megalithic art in all of Western Europe including the oldest known illustration of the moon. Much of the artwork is found on the kerbstones, particularly those on approach to the passage entrances. Interestingly, some of this artwork was carved on the backs of the stones, known as hidden art.

A new visitor experience has recently opened at Knowth and includes improved interpretation to tell the story of the 50-year archaeological excavation of the site, its Megalithic art and its importance both nationally and worldwide.

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.

Although the Hill of Tara is only 650 feet high, on a clear day, 40% of Ireland can be seen from its summit.

The summit of the hill features an Iron Age royal enclosure known as the Fort of the Kings. In the center is a standing stone known as Lía Fáil or ‘Stone of Destiny at which the High Kings were crowned. According to legend, when a true Celtic King placed their foot on the stone, it cried out to announce his rightful reign.

The oldest monument on the Hill of Tara is a Neolithic passage tomb, Dumha na nGaill or ‘The Mound of the Hostages’ built around 5,000 years ago, a similar timeline to Newgrange. It is constructed in a similar style to Newgrange although on a much smaller scale. This passage tomb, like many others, has a solar alignment – the chamber is illuminated by the rising sun in the early part of November and February. The tomb also has many associations with the moon, including an interior wall carving of thirteen spirals, perhaps representing an early moon calendar.