Monasterboice Monastic Site
Monasterboice Monastic Site
Monasterboice Monastic Site
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
326 reviews
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Jim B
Grapeview, WA1,848 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
There isn't much to see here other than ruins that you find all over Ireland. What sets this apart though are the very large high crosses with all of the carving showing many stories from the Bible and life of Christ. It's worth a stop just for that.
Written May 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer H
Columbus, OH641 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
The high crosses are cool and unique as everywhere else I went in Ireland they were much smaller. Otherwise the site is similar to so many others. If you are close by, it’s worth a stop if you are interested in this sort of thing. It’s also good for photos.
Written May 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bozeman-Dublin
Trim, Ireland11,334 contributions
Feb 2023 • Family
We had a lovely visit to Monasterboice and its high Crosses, bathed in spring sunshine as they were!
I had not been in a number of years, so it was nice to get the chance to go back. Free to enter with ample parking across the road.
The highlight is the Celtic High Crosses of course, incredible in their detail, Muirdeachs in particular. They really are stunning. The Round Tower dates from the 9th or 10th century and is remarkably good condition minus its cap/roof.
It's a small complex, easily traversed but so much to see.
I had not been in a number of years, so it was nice to get the chance to go back. Free to enter with ample parking across the road.
The highlight is the Celtic High Crosses of course, incredible in their detail, Muirdeachs in particular. They really are stunning. The Round Tower dates from the 9th or 10th century and is remarkably good condition minus its cap/roof.
It's a small complex, easily traversed but so much to see.
Written February 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
geismom
Sinking Spring, PA1,955 contributions
Jul 2022
We spotted the information for this monastic site on a map, and decided to venture off the beaten path and visit it. Across the road from the cemetery is a parking lot, which has outdoor bathrooms if needed.
There was an attendant upon entrance to the grounds, who had information about the crosses. She lent us a sheet that had an explanation to the carvings on the two giant crosses that stand in this cemetery. This was quite helpful in trying to decipher the carvings and their meanings.
There is also an impressive round tower in the cemetery as well.
There is no cost to enter the grounds. Keep in mind that this is a cemetery, and, therefor, hallowed ground.
There was an attendant upon entrance to the grounds, who had information about the crosses. She lent us a sheet that had an explanation to the carvings on the two giant crosses that stand in this cemetery. This was quite helpful in trying to decipher the carvings and their meanings.
There is also an impressive round tower in the cemetery as well.
There is no cost to enter the grounds. Keep in mind that this is a cemetery, and, therefor, hallowed ground.
Written August 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G. C.
Milan, Italy2,427 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
A few km away. North of Drogheda there is what is considered one of the most fascinating sites in Ireland: there is a 6th century monastery. with a cylindrical tower of over 300 m. and 3 of the most beautiful monolithic crosses in the country. The most famous is the Muiredach cross, over 5 meters high. and better known as the High Cross and there are reliefs from the Old and New Testament represented. The name derives from that of Abbot Muiredach Mc Domhnaill, who died here in 923. Various burials are located around the crosses. A site not to be missed.
Written November 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SLR
Upland, CA115 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
This site is well preserved with beautiful high crosses more than1000 years old telling the gospel story. It was an early Christian monastic settlement founded by Saint Buithe in the 5th Century, there are is a round tower and other ruins from the settlement. The tower is closed. This site is a bit off the beaten path but worth the visit.
Written April 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FoooTaster
215 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Ok, I know there is a lot of history in that place, probably most of us teases about it but the place it's very very small, actually it's a cementery with a big Celtic cross and a protection guard tower build 1000 years ago l, that's it. Plenty of tourist in that narrow place. Not worth it to drive 1 hour from Dublin just to see that
Written October 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
El H
Australia385 contributions
Jun 2015 • Friends
Dont miss this wonderful place... The site houses two churches built in the 14th century or later... There is also an earlier round tower, but it is most famous for its selection of 10th century high crosses. OMG they are fabulous...
The round tower is about 35-metres tall, and given its age etc is in very good condition, although it is not possible to go inside.
However DO NOT MISS the 5 metre Muiredach's High Cross it is regarded as the finest high cross in the whole of Ireland. I have seen the High Crosses at Clocmainoise but they have been moved inside to protect them... But these are outside in their original placement... It is named after an abbot, Muiredach mac Domhnaill, who died in 923 and features biblical carvings of both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. DO NOT MISS the chance to see them... we went with Beautiful Meath Tours and I am sure we would not have been aware of all this detail with out our tour guide explaining it all...
The round tower is about 35-metres tall, and given its age etc is in very good condition, although it is not possible to go inside.
However DO NOT MISS the 5 metre Muiredach's High Cross it is regarded as the finest high cross in the whole of Ireland. I have seen the High Crosses at Clocmainoise but they have been moved inside to protect them... But these are outside in their original placement... It is named after an abbot, Muiredach mac Domhnaill, who died in 923 and features biblical carvings of both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. DO NOT MISS the chance to see them... we went with Beautiful Meath Tours and I am sure we would not have been aware of all this detail with out our tour guide explaining it all...
Written June 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vandyalum
New York City, NY29 contributions
Feb 2011
We visited Monasterboice last week and while the site is beautiful, our experience has been overshadowed by the thieves that broke into our rental car. Read what other travelers have written on this forum (I wish we had) -- break-ins happen almost every day, even if you park right in front of a gate. Even a priest while performing a funeral had his car broken into. The day we were there, we went into the grounds around 2 pm. For about 5-10 minutes we were the only ones there. Another couple then appeared. We left about 10 minutes later. When we returned to the parking lot our car and the other couple's car were broken into. The thieves did a quick grab and run, taking personal bags from the backseat but leaving the larger luggage in the hatchback. The other couple had nothing in the car and so nothing stolen, but they still have to deal with the cost of the broken window. Forget taking your stuff with you -- if you really want to be safe make sure one person stays with the car the entire time!
Written February 13, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
donato1899
Mount Dora, FL678 contributions
Monasterboice is beautiful, easy to get to and free.
Cars are broken into every day. The parking lot is full of broken glass and warning signs.
Take all your valuables out of the car and carry them with you.
If you can leave someone with your car at all times.
We found out the hard way.
Cars are broken into every day. The parking lot is full of broken glass and warning signs.
Take all your valuables out of the car and carry them with you.
If you can leave someone with your car at all times.
We found out the hard way.
Written November 15, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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