Newgrange and Knowth open to visitors for first time since 13th March

The Newgrange megalithic complex which had been closed for the last four months because of the Covid-19 crisis opened again today for visitors but with a strict new health safety regime in place.

The centre, along with many other cultural institutions, had closed its doors to the public on 13th March. It has remained in lockdown since then.

OPW staff member Jackie Finnegan opens the gates to the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre.

However, shortly after nine o'clock this morning, Office of Public Works staff member Jackie Finnegan performed the official opening of the gates and admitted the first visitor, an Italian native Mr Antonello Vacca, a taekwondo expert from Sardinia who was on his last day's holiday in Ireland.

The OPW staff had set up a reception station in the car park of the complex where visitors who had pre-booked tours online were registered. Strict health procedures were in place.

Visitors to Newgrange could visit the mound but the famous chamber is off limits to visitors for the present. The OPW said that just 14 visitors had registered to visit Newgange today but it expected this number to pick up in the coming days.

The organisation advised people intending to come to Co Meath to see the complex to ensure they registered online beforehand.

Two other early morning visitors were John and Catherine O'Reilly from Dunlavin in Co Wicklow, who were paying their first visit to Newgrange. Mr O'Reilly said that he and his wife would normally visit the south or the west but decided to try Ireland's East on this occasion. They said they were very much looking forward to their visit.