LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION
Itinerary: Celts & Crosses
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Begin at the stunning Neolithic tombs of Newgrange and Knowth in County Meath in the heart of Brú na Bóinne (the Boyne Palace), where the legendary hero Cúchulainn was conceived.
Nearby, stand at the top of the Hill of Tara , seat of the high kings of Ireland until the 11th century. Across the plain is the Hill of Slane, where St Patrick is said to have baptised the pagan Celts. Travel west to Kells on the road travelled by Queen Medb herself in the Irish Stone Age epic, the Táin Bó Cúailnge, pausing to explore the monastic ruins and high crosses before continuing to County Roscommon. Just outside Tulsk village is Cruachan Aí, the most important Celtic site in Europe, with 60 scattered megalithic tombs and burial sites. Head south to Clonmacnoise Abbey, the 6th-century monastic site in County Offaly.
Head south through the heart of the country to the impressive monastic site that sits atop the craggy Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary. Turn east and head through County Kilkenny, stopping at the Cistercian Jerpoint Abbey at the pretty village of Thomastown. From here, head northeast to Wicklow and magnificent Glendalough, as atmospheric a monastic site as you’ll ever find.
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