The best traffic-free bike rides in Louth

The riverside path is a multi-user, surfaced trail which runs from Saint Dominic's Park to the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre in Oldbridge. It's only 4.5 km (3 miles) but it's a great trail to escape the city.

St. Mary's Church is an impressive example of neo-Gothic architecture that blends beautifully into the cityscape. Construction was completed in 1889, and as soon as you walk through the portal, the tranquility of the church's interior envelops you. The stained glass windows cast colorful spots of light on the floor, while the murals and mosaics bring the stories of the saints and the biblical scenes to life. On your bike tour, the church is the perfect place for a short cultural break. A moment of silence inside can work wonders before you get back in the saddle. Be sure not to miss the details on the facade - they tell a lot about the craftsmanship of the time. Even if there are no guided tours, it is worth taking a look inside the church to discover the works of art on your own.

Unveiled in Sept 2023 Tom Dunn’s legacy as the local hedge school master and as a leading United Irishman meant he was known locally as the ‘Peasant Patriot’. He knew the power of education and the inclusive nature of his teaching to both Catholics and Protestants through his hedge school and evening recitations of scholarly books, enlightened the poor and oppressed. As a testament to his life, emphasising how he played a pivotal role in guiding local communities towards a more integrated, cohesive and shared society, a series of intergenerational hedge school workshops were held this summer which paid tribute to Dunn and his pivotal role as a cross community educator and leader. Nice place to take a break and watch village life go by.

Newgrange was built by a farming community that flourished on the fertile soils of the Boyne Valley. Knowth and Dowth are similar mounds that, together with Newgrange, have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Archaeologists classified Newgrange as a passage grave, but today Newgrange is recognised as much more than a passage grave. The designation "Ancient Temple" is more fitting, a place of astrological, spiritual, religious and ceremonial significance, much like today's cathedrals are places of prestige and worship where dignitaries can find their final rest. Newgrange is a large, kidney-shaped mound covering over an acre of land, supported at its base by 97 kerbstones, some of which are richly decorated with megalithic art. The 19m (62ft) long inner passage leads to a cruciform chamber with a corbelled roof. The time and labour invested in the construction of Newgrange suggest a well-organised society with specialised groups responsible for various aspects of the build. Newgrange is part of a complex of monuments erected along a bend in the River Boyne, known generically as Brú na Bóinne. The other two main monuments are Knowth (the largest) and Dowth, but there are up to 35 smaller mounds throughout the area. (Source: https://www.newgrange.com/)

interesting @Christian427: In 1995 I was there with a friend. We could even spend the night on the meadow next door. A top experience with a couple and after a shared breakfast in the morning we went to visit Newgrange. Today we were there: a mega visitor center, however with (entrance fee: 5 Euros) absolutely ok and really well prepared. However, we were on our way back to Dublin and the next bus didn't leave for another 1.5 hours. A visit from the inside was not possible, only from the outside (according to the lady at the ticket counter). The shuttle bus tour would be just over 50 minutes and with the stop about 2 hours (however, only bookable online in advance). Visitor center alone does not have to/cannot be booked online.

In 1994 I was in Newgrange and Knoth. I could just drive to Newgrange back then, park my bike right at the entrance of the site and buy a ticket in a small booth for little money - very simple. By 2017, that was no longer possible - just driving there like that. There was a visitor center, located south of Newgrange - with admission and bus transfer to Newgrange and Knoth. It is possible to book only Newgrange or only Knoth - or both together. Everything is planned - small groups and a tour every half hour... I received a sticker on my jacket - which told me when it was my turn and which bus I had to board... In Newgrange, the same procedure - small groups - clearly organized who was next... Also the further bus transfer to Knoth - my group got 10 minutes to walk around the site alone - the bus was already moving on. Knoth has become great - the whole thing beautifully restored! In 1994, Knoth was still a construction site - there was nothing to see yet. Here too, unfortunately, only a short time to walk around alone - the bus was already ready for the return trip to the visitor center... But it was nice! I will definitely come back!

The World Heritage Property of Brú na Bóinne is Ireland’s richest archaeological landscape and is situated within a bend in the River Boyne. Brú na Bóinne is famous for the spectacular prehistoric passage tombs of Knowth, Newgrange and Dowth which were built circa 3200BC. These ceremonial structures are among the most important Neolithic sites in the world and contain the largest collection of megalithic art in Western Europe. (https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/bru-na-boinne-visitor-centre-newgrange-knowth-and-dowth/)

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