## Newgrange
**Quiet, curious, fascinating, beautiful, haunting and spiritual**

There is powerful energy  in the area, at this bend in the river Boyne, known as Bru na Boinne.

## Geometric Designs

<div class="pull-right">http://i.imgsafe.org/676d554821.jpg</div>

When we think of Celtic Art we often think of spirals and geometric designs. In Ireland many of these designs originate from long before the Celts. 
The megalithic art featured in Newgrange has spirals, similar patterns of which are found all over the world. On our tour of Newgrange our guide Meave suggested that this art may be linked, to other places, by our common human being and consciousness. In a heightened state of consciousness, as humans, we may see similar patterns even if your from Spain, Mexico or New Zealand. 

Our guide was excellent. Interacting and telling stories, she even discovered there was one person in our group, from the Canaries, who spoke Silbo. Another ancient language, which she got them to demonstrate. Hearing this unusual langage in a 5,000 year old burial chamber was a unique and humbling experience. It added to the mystic of the place. 

I was left with so many questions after visiting Newgrange
* What was the ritual for?
* What were the peoples beliefs?
* What drove them to perform such feats of Engineering?
* What did all the art mean?
* Who was buried there?
* What was society like 5,000 years ago in Ireland?

## All this thinking made me hungry so we made our way back for food....

## Howth
We ate in the Oar House on the quays in Howth. If you have a favourite restaurant I would advise to book in advance or when your leaving Howth. 
## Hmmm tasty
It doesn't get any fresher than this.
http://i.imgsafe.org/6721e38457.jpg

## The Perfect End to a Perfect Day
http://i.imgsafe.org/67201af174.jpg

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## Trip Idea
Take a round trip to the Unesco World Heritage site at Newgrange and a stop in Howth for dinner on your way back. 
* **Weather Dependent - Yes**
* **Duration - 5-6 hours**
* **Transport - Car** 
* **Suitability - All the family, couples, solo travellers both tourists and locals**

## Travel
**Dublin - Newgrange Visitor Center - Howth - Dublin**

Each leg of this trip takes about an hour and twenty minutes by car, depending on traffic.

##  The Tour
**Newgrange**
<div class="pull-right">http://i.imgsafe.org/671e5c7c94.jpg</div>
You pay a nominal fee at the visitor center which gives you access to the visitor center and a guided tour and bus transfer to the site. You leave the visitor center via bus in groups. There were regular buses leaving the visitor center but its on a first come first serve basis so you may be waiting at busy times. The tour takes between 1 and 2 hours.

## Dinner
**Howth**

On the way back we stopped at Howth for dinner. This is a lovely seaside town and fishing village on the outskirts of Dublin city. There are numerous excellent restaurants to choose from. 

**This post is part of a series of "Trip Ideas" posts. There is often so much on our doorstep that we don't realise. Here I will share some of my discoveries.**