ancient ruins
Newgrange
A 5,200-year-old passage tomb in Ireland's Boyne Valley, older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids, famous for its winter solstice illumination of the inner chamber.
22 km · about 25 min drive
EuropeIrelandLeinster
Balbriggan
Leinster, Ireland · Europe
About Balbriggan
Balbriggan works well as a base: 10 minutes from Skerries, 22km from Newgrange.
Balbriggan is in Leinster, Ireland, with about 22,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Skerries, about 6 km away.
Balbriggan (; Irish: Baile Brigín, pronounced [ˌbˠalʲə ˈbʲɾʲɪɟiːnʲ]) is a coastal town in Fingal, in the northern part of County Dublin, Ireland. It is approximately 34 km north of the city of Dublin, for which it is a commuter town. The 2022 census population was 24,322 for Balbriggan, making it the 17th-largestRead more
urban area in Ireland. The town formerly had an active textile industry, and was the site of a major episode in the Irish War of Independence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Balbriggan?
Within an hour or so of Balbriggan: Newgrange (22 km), Knowth (23 km), Howth Cliff Walk (27 km), Hill of Tara (28 km).
Are there any good drives near Balbriggan?
The nearest famous roads are Sally Gap, Wicklow Gap and Dundrod Circuit.
Where is Balbriggan?
Balbriggan is in Leinster, Ireland, about 6 km from Skerries.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 21,722
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Ireland
- Region
- Leinster
- Timezone
- Europe/Dublin
- Coordinates
- 53.6085, -6.1831
Tags
Worth the detour from Balbriggan
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
ancient ruins
Knowth
A great passage tomb in the Boyne Valley ringed by kerbstones carrying the largest collection of megalithic art in Europe.
23 km · about 25 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Howth Cliff Walk
A looped cliff path around Howth Head with views to Ireland's Eye and the Wicklow mountains, easily reached from Dublin.
27 km · about 30 min drive
ancient ruins
Hill of Tara
The ceremonial seat of the High Kings of Ireland, a set of grassy earthworks with the Lia Fáil standing stone on top.
28 km · about 35 min drive
landmark
Dublin Zoo
Ireland's largest zoo in Phoenix Park, one of the oldest zoos in Europe, home to over 400 animals.
29 km · about 35 min drive
cathedral
St Patrick's Cathedral
Ireland's largest cathedral and national cathedral of the Church of Ireland, once led by Jonathan Swift.
30 km · about 35 min drive
castle
Trim Castle
Ireland's largest Anglo-Norman castle, used as a Braveheart filming location, with a massive 20-sided keep dominating the Boyne Valley.
40 km · about 45 min drive
film location
Trim Castle, County Meath (Braveheart's York)
Ireland's largest Anglo-Norman castle doubled for the city of York in Braveheart, with the battles shot on the Curragh plain nearby.
40 km · about 45 min drive
Driving roads near Balbriggan
- 27 kmHowth Cliff WalkA looped cliff path around Howth Head with views to Ireland's Eye and the Wicklow mountains, easily reached from Dublin.
- 53 kmSally GapA high crossroads pass over the Wicklow Mountains amid blanket bog, with the famous Military Road running through.
- 56 kmLough Tay (Guinness Lake)A dark lake with a pale sand beach at one end, viewed from the R759 above; used as the Viking village in the series Vikings.
- 63 kmMourne MountainsGranite mountain range that inspired C.S. Lewis's Narnia, with the Mourne Wall traversing 15 peaks and sweeping views to the Irish Sea.
- 65 kmWicklow GapHigh mountain pass on the R756 across the Wicklow Mountains between Hollywood and Glendalough, following the medieval pilgrims' route of St Kevin's Road through wild granite moorland.
- 66 kmSlieve Donard and the Mourne WallNorthern Ireland's highest peak at 850m, with the 22-mile granite Mourne Wall running over its summit.
Driving in Ireland
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.78/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€2.10/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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