Ireland’s Ancient East: Hill of Tara & Loughcrew Day Trip from Dublin
Explore hills that crowned kings, stone tombs, and the castle from Braveheart with a driver-guide
Trade Dublin’s streets for County Meath’s green hills on a guided day trip built for travelers wanting more than just one headline stop. You'll visit the Hill of Tara, where kings were once crowned, stop in Trim to explore the famous castle grounds, then climb to Loughcrew’s prehistoric tombs, older than the pyramids. After a lunch break, tour Fore Distillery and taste local spirits, then walk the ruins of Fore Abbey. It’s a full sweep of Ireland’s past in one smooth roundtrip route from Dublin.
What You Get With This Tour
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Chase kings, castles, and cairns
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Expert English-speaking driver-guide
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Round-trip transport from Dublin
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Hill of Tara, Loughcrew, and Fore Abbey entry
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Visit Trim Castle grounds
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Fore Distillery tour
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Guided spirits tasting
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Guide tips
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Lunch
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Entry to Trim Castle and museum
Tour Itinerary
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1
Your tour begins at the Molly Malone Statue
Meet your guide in the middle of Dublin at the famous bronze statue on Suffolk Street. After a quick check-in, you will hop on the bus and head north into the green hills of County Meath to start your day exploring the legendary land of the high kings. -
2
Stand atop the Hill of Tara
Next, you will explore the sacred site where the ancient High Kings of Ireland were once crowned. This spot is over 5,000 years old and full of mystery. See the Stone of Destiny, used during inaugurations of kings, and enjoy amazing views of the green countryside that served as the country’s ancient capital. -
3
Explore the grounds of Trim Castle
Then, arrive at the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland, a massive stone fortress that was used in famous Hollywood movies like Braveheart. You will walk around the huge walls and see the three-story tower that has watched over the town of Trim since the 1200s. -
4
Enter the Neolithic tombs of Loughcrew
You will follow your guide up the hills to reach stone-age burial chambers that are actually older than the pyramids in Egypt. Inside these dark stone rooms, you will see ancient art carved into the walls by people who lived in Ireland thousands of years ago. -
5
Enjoy a local lunch stop
After visiting the tombs, the bus will stop at a nearby restaurant where you can buy a traditional Irish meal. This is a great time to relax, eat some local food, and talk about the ancient sites you saw earlier in the morning. -
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Taste local spirits at Fore Distillery
Next, move from ancient history to modern craft with a tour of a local distillery. You will learn how traditional Irish drinks are made in the Fore Valley and get to try a tasting of the spirits in a building surrounded by old ruins. -
7
Discover the wonders of Fore Abbey
Then, walk through the ruins of a 700s-era monastery where hundreds of monks once lived. You will learn about the "seven wonders" of the area, like water that supposedly won't boil and a building sitting in the middle of a swamp, before heading home. -
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Your tour finishes back in central Dublin
Finally, relax on the bus ride back to the city, arriving at the statue where you started by early evening. You will leave the tour with a great understanding of Ireland's history and plenty of ideas for what to do for dinner in Dublin.
Additional Information
Good to know:
Accessibility: This tour involves uneven ground, stairs, and hill walks at multiple stops. It is not wheelchair accessible or a good fit for guests with mobility limitations.
Lunch: Lunch is not included. After Loughcrew, you’ll stop at a nearby restaurant where you can purchase lunch.
Alcohol Consumption: This tour includes a spirit tasting; participants consuming alcohol should be of legal drinking age in Ireland (18). Please bring a government-issued ID if you plan to partake.
Weather Advisory: This experience runs outdoors at several sites. Dress for changing Irish weather and expect wind and rain at times.
Please note: Wi‑Fi and USB ports are available only on some vehicles.
Trim Castle: Please note, entry to Trim Castle is not included on the tour. The exploration will take place on the exterior grounds.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the tour can depart on time.
Your 10-hour tour includes:
Expert English-speaking driver-guide
Round-trip transportation from Dublin in an air-conditioned vehicle
Entry to the Hill of Tara, Loughcrew, and Fore Abbey
Visit Trim Castle exterior grounds
Fore Distillery tour and guided tasting
Maximum group size of 55
What to bring:
Comfortable walking shoes
Government-issued ID
Light rain jacket
Water bottle
Camera
Money for lunch
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tour family friendly?
Yes. This is a great pick for families who want big Irish history sites in one day, but keep in mind there are hills, uneven ground, and lots of walking at multiple stops.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
This tour is not a good fit for mobility limitations due to uneven ground, stairs, and hill walks at several sites. It is not wheelchair accessible.
Is lunch included?
No. After visiting Loughcrew, you’ll stop at a nearby restaurant where you can purchase lunch.
Are Wi‑Fi and USB ports available on the bus?
Wi‑Fi and USB ports are available only on some vehicles, so they are not guaranteed.
Is entry to Trim Castle included?
No, the time at Trim Castle will be spent exploring the external grounds.
