Overview
Oldcastle is a modest town of 1400 people in central County Meath, but its justification for existence is the extraordinary Loughcrew Cairns—30 passage tombs from around 3300 BC, older than the famous Newgrange. Unlike its celebrated cousin, Loughcrew lacks tourist hordes, so you can linger at Neolithic artwork and experience equinox sunrises penetrating Cairn T without crowds.
Day Trips · History · Nature · Trekking
Before you go
Connectivity
Good 4G from Three, patchy Eir coverage, no Vodafone. No 5G. WiFi at pubs and accommodation.
Money
Ireland uses the euro (€). ATMs available in town; Cadden's SuperValu is the main store for cash withdrawals.
Safety
Very low crime. Normal precautions apply. Steep rocky terrain at Loughcrew—wear sturdy footwear.
Transport
Bus 109 runs hourly from Dublin to Kells; Bus 187 continues to Oldcastle four times daily Monday-Saturday. Dublin is approximately 90 minutes by road.
Weather
Mild Irish climate year-round. Best visited May-September for longer days. Pack layers and waterproofs regardless of season.