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Visiting Your Company’s Dublin Office: A Guide for US Executives

by | Oct 28, 2026

By Alan McLoughlin, founder of Lir Executive Chauffeur Service

The Custom House on the River Liffey in Dublin city centre at sunset
The Custom House on the River Liffey, in Dublin city centre.

Quick summary

  • Most overnight flights from the US land in Dublin early in the morning, so plan the first day around a hotel stop or a later first meeting.
  • Dublin Airport to the Docklands, the city centre or Ballsbridge takes about 40 minutes, depending on traffic. Allow more at rush hour.
  • A chauffeur booked for the day waits between meetings and drives you to client dinners, so you never rebook a car.
  • Your EA can book everything by email from the US, with a fixed quote agreed before you travel and receipts afterwards.
  • Flying home, US flights leave from Terminal 2 with US Preclearance, and Dublin Airport suggests arriving 3 hours early.

Day one: landing and getting to the office

Most overnight flights from the US arrive in Dublin early in the morning. After passport control, baggage and customs, you walk out into the arrivals hall at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, where your chauffeur is waiting. Our guide to arriving at Dublin Airport from the US walks through each step. Send your flight number when you book. Alan monitors flight times for every airport pickup, so if your flight lands early or late, the collection moves with it. In Alan’s experience, flights from New York tend to come in early: on one recent booking, a flight due at 4am landed at 3am, and Alan was already in arrivals. If you arrive through Dublin Airport’s Platinum VIP service, which is booked directly with the airport, tell us when you book and we collect you as you leave Platinum. From the airport, the drive to the Docklands, the city centre or Ballsbridge is about 40 minutes, depending on traffic. At rush hour, allow more. After a night flight, most executives want one of two things: a hotel stop to check in and change, or the office directly. Tell us the address and first meeting time and we plan the route around it, with time built in for passport control and baggage.

Getting between meetings in Dublin

A week at a Dublin office is rarely one address. There are client meetings across the city, a dinner most evenings, and sometimes an off site at the likes of the K Club or another hotel close to Dublin. On an as directed booking, the car and chauffeur stay with you for an agreed block of time, such as a full day. Between meetings, your chauffeur waits nearby, keeps an eye on traffic and the next leg, and comes to the door when you message. Waiting time is part of a quote fixed before the day. If the day runs longer than planned, the extra time is agreed with you separately. In the evening, Alan can drive you to dinner with clients and wait to bring you back to your hotel when you are ready. Travelling with colleagues? Our 7 seater MPVs suit small teams, and Lir can run bookings with more than one car and driver for a larger visit.

What this looks like in practice

Alan regularly drives the CEO of a large company on visits to Dublin. The brief is always the same: be discreet, be on time, and get him to every meeting with time to spare. For years, Alan also drove a regular delegate through Airline Economics week in Ballsbridge. The client usually arrived through Platinum, and Alan planned each day with the client’s PA: on hand every conference day, waiting between sessions, then driving to client dinners in the evening.

Booking from the US: a guide for EAs

Most office visits are booked by an executive assistant or travel manager in the US, often while Ireland is asleep. Lir operates 24/7 and confirms details by email, so a request sent at the end of the US working day is picked up overnight. To get a fixed quote, send:
  1. The flight number and arrival time
  2. The hotel, and each meeting address with its time
  3. Any dinners, off sites or evening plans where the car should wait
  4. The number of passengers and bags
  5. Who should receive the receipts and expense paperwork
The quote is fixed before the day, and receipts and expense paperwork are provided for corporate bookings, so your finance team has one set of documents to reconcile.

Flying home

Flights to the US leave from Terminal 2, where you complete US immigration and customs through US Preclearance before you board, so you land in the US as a domestic passenger. Dublin Airport suggests arriving 3 hours before a long haul flight, and Terminal 2 security is busiest from 5am to noon. Allow about an hour for the drive from the city on a weekday morning. Our guide to US Preclearance at Dublin Airport explains the timings.

Why listen to us?

Lir is run by its founder, Alan McLoughlin, who served with the Military Police Corps of the Irish Defence Forces before moving into close protection. He is a member of the International Association of Close Protection Professionals (IACPP), is ISTI security trained, and has been part of two US presidential visits, driving members of the president’s team in the convoy. Lir is based in Ashbourne, a short drive from Dublin Airport, and is Fáilte Ireland accredited for service excellence in Irish tourism.

Questions from US executives and EAs

Can my EA book everything from the US?

Yes. Executive assistants and travel managers book directly by email. Send the schedule and we reply with a fixed quote, then confirm every detail before you fly.

Will the chauffeur wait between my meetings?

Yes. On an as directed booking the car stays with you for the agreed time, and waiting is part of the quote. Extra time beyond the booking is agreed separately.

Do you provide receipts for expenses?

Yes. Receipts and expense paperwork are provided for corporate bookings.

Lir Executive Chauffeur Service

Planning a visit to your Dublin office?

Send us your flight details and schedule, and we will plan the driving and come back with a fixed quote. Request a QuoteExecutive Chauffeur Service

Flying Home from Dublin: US Preclearance Explained

by | Oct 28, 2026

By Alan McLoughlin, founder of Lir Executive Chauffeur Service

Transatlantic passenger jets taxiing at an airport, for a guide to US Preclearance at Dublin Airport
Most direct flights from Dublin to the US include US Preclearance.

Quick summary

  • Flights from Dublin to the US leave from Terminal 2, and most include US Preclearance.
  • Preclearance means you complete US immigration, customs and agriculture checks in Dublin, before you board.
  • On a precleared direct flight you land in the US as a domestic arrival, with no immigration line.
  • Dublin Airport suggests arriving 3 hours before a long haul flight, and more if you are checking bags or travelling as a group.
  • From Ballsbridge or the city centre on a weekday morning, allow about an hour to get to the airport.

What is US Preclearance?

US Preclearance is a US border facility inside Dublin Airport. It lets passengers flying to the US complete all US immigration, customs and agriculture inspections before the flight, rather than after landing. It is run by US personnel and sits on the ground floor of Terminal 2, after airport security. Dublin is one of the few airports outside North America with this facility. The payoff comes at the other end. Because you have already cleared the US border, you are treated as a domestic arrival when you land, so you skip the immigration queue.

Does every US flight from Dublin use Preclearance?

No. Most direct flights to the US from Terminal 2 include Preclearance, but not all. Check with your airline before you travel. If you are connecting through Dublin onto a US flight, you can use Preclearance. If your onward connection is to an airport outside the US, you will not.

How early should you leave for Dublin Airport?

Dublin Airport suggests arriving at your terminal 3 hours before a long haul flight. Allow more time if you are checking bags or travelling in a group. Check in and bag drop opening times are set by your airline. Morning flights need the most care. Terminal 2 security is at its busiest from 5am to noon, and that is the window most flights to the US leave in. On top of the 3 hours, allow about an hour for the drive from Ballsbridge or the city centre on a weekday morning. The drive itself is about 40 minutes, but the extra time covers morning traffic. As a rough guide:
Flight leaves at Be at Terminal 2 by Leave Ballsbridge or the city centre by
10am 7am 6am
11:30am 8:30am 7:30am
1pm 10am 9am
If you fly to Ireland often, you may already know the timing that suits you. If not, Alan will suggest a pickup time based on your flight when he sends your quote.

What happens at the airport, step by step

  1. Check in and bag drop with your airline in Terminal 2.
  2. Airport security, the same as for any flight.
  3. US Preclearance on the ground floor of Terminal 2, where a US officer completes your immigration, customs and agriculture checks. Global Entry members can use the self service kiosks.
  4. After Preclearance, there are a limited number of shops and the 51st&Green Lounge, which is open to all passengers departing for the US.
  5. Board your flight. On arrival in the US you will not go through customs.

Can you speed up Preclearance?

Yes, if you are eligible. Mobile Passport Control lets you finish part of the US immigration process on your phone before you reach Preclearance. It is open to US citizens with a valid US passport, Canadian citizens, US Lawful Permanent Residents and Visa Waiver Program travellers, and one person can submit for up to 12 people. You can only submit once you have arrived at the Preclearance location, and you will still queue to see a US officer. It makes the process quicker, not optional. Global Entry members should keep using Global Entry.

Getting to the airport without the stress

The last morning of a trip is usually the most rushed: checking out, packing golf clubs, and an early start in airport traffic. A pre booked chauffeur takes that off your plate. We drive plenty of groups to Dublin Airport for flights to the US. Recently we collected a group from the Merrion Hotel, got them to Terminal 2 on time, with plenty of room for their luggage and golf bags.
  • Collected at your door. We pick up from your hotel or home anywhere in Dublin and the surrounding area, and from every county in Ireland if you are flying home from further away.
  • Room for everything. Our luxury sedans suit one or two travellers, and our 7 seater MPVs take families, groups and golf bags.
  • 24/7. Lir operates around the clock, so an early start for a morning flight is not a problem.
  • A fixed quote. Your price is agreed before the day, and receipts are provided for corporate bookings.
Arriving rather than leaving? Our guide to arriving at Dublin Airport from the US covers passport control, baggage and meeting your chauffeur.

Why listen to us?

Lir is run by its founder, Alan McLoughlin, who served with the Military Police Corps of the Irish Defence Forces before moving into close protection. He is a member of the International Association of Close Protection Professionals (IACPP), is ISTI security trained, and has been part of two US presidential visits, driving members of the president’s team in the convoy. Lir is based in Ashbourne, a short drive from Dublin Airport, and is Fáilte Ireland accredited for service excellence in Irish tourism.

Questions about flying home from Dublin to the US

Do I go through US customs when I land after Preclearance?

No. On a direct flight that includes Preclearance, you have already completed US immigration, customs and agriculture checks in Dublin, so you arrive as a domestic passenger.

Is 3 hours really enough time at Dublin Airport for a US flight?

Yes, for most travellers. That is Dublin Airport’s own suggestion for long haul flights. Allow more if you are checking bags, travelling as a group or flying between 5am and noon, when Terminal 2 security is busiest.

Can you collect us from outside Dublin for a flight home?

Yes. Lir drives to and from every county in Ireland, so we can collect you from your hotel wherever your trip ends and get you to Terminal 2 on time.

Lir Executive Chauffeur Service

Flying home soon?

Send us your flight time and pickup address, and we will suggest a pickup time and send a fixed quote. Request a QuoteDublin Airport Transfers

Airline Economics Dublin 2027: A Private Chauffeur for the Whole Week

by | Oct 22, 2026

By Alan McLoughlin, founder of Lir Executive Chauffeur Service

Quick summary

  • Airline Economics Global Dublin Aviation Week runs from 24 to 27 January 2027, centred on Ballsbridge.
  • Dublin Airport to Ballsbridge takes about 40 minutes, depending on traffic, and we monitor your flight.
  • Your chauffeur stays on hand all week, waits between commitments and drives you to client dinners.
  • We plan each day with your PA and agree a fixed quote before you travel.

Airline Economics Global Dublin Aviation Week runs from 24 to 27 January 2027 in Ballsbridge. It opens with a reception on Sunday 24 January at 19:00. The conference runs from 25 to 27 January, starting at 08:00 each day, and the Aviation 100 Awards take place on the evening of 25 January.

The week brings airlines, lessors, traders, banks and law firms to Dublin. For a delegate, the days are long and spread across several buildings, with client dinners most evenings. A private chauffeur takes the travel off your mind, from the airport on Sunday to your last dinner on Wednesday.

Delegates in a conference audience watching a keynote speaker on stage

A week spread across Ballsbridge and the city

The organiser lists venues including the RDS halls, the InterContinental, the Herbert Park and Clayton hotels, and the Mansion House. Other events run alongside it the same week, including ISTAT Dublin Hub from 25 to 27 January at Café en Seine on Dawson Street, so many delegates move between Ballsbridge and the city centre during the week.

Moving between sessions, meetings and dinners across those venues is where a dedicated car earns its place. Your chauffeur stays with you, so there is no waiting on the street or booking each journey as you go.

Years of experience with Airline Economics week

We have driven clients through Airline Economics week in Dublin for years, so we know how the week runs: the Sunday arrivals, the 08:00 starts in Ballsbridge, and the client dinners that follow each day of the conference.

Your chauffeur stays on hand every day you need them, waits between your commitments, drives you to dinner in the evening and brings you back to your hotel when you are ready. Our job is simple: get you where you need to be, on time, all week.

Arriving at Dublin Airport

If you fly in through Platinum Services, Dublin Airport’s private arrivals service, we collect you on arrival and drive you to your hotel ahead of the conference.

Many delegates will land on Sunday 24 January or early on Monday, ahead of the first morning session. The drive from Dublin Airport to Ballsbridge takes about 40 minutes, depending on traffic. Because we monitor your flight, an early or late landing simply moves your pickup.

Planning your day with your PA

Most delegates’ days are set by their PA. We work with the PA to get the schedule for each day, then plan the driving around it: drop offs, meetings, time spent waiting, and dinners after the sessions close.

If the day runs longer than planned, the extra time is agreed with you separately.

Booking for January

To book, send us your flight details, hotel and the days you need a car, or ask your PA to send the schedule. We will reply with a fixed quote agreed before you travel. Travelling as a team? Lir can arrange more than one car and driver.

Why listen to us?

Lir is run by its founder, Alan McLoughlin. Alan served with the Military Police Corps of the Irish Defence Forces before moving into close protection. He is a member of the International Association of Close Protection Professionals (IACPP) and is ISTI security trained. He has driven delegates for the Nigerian embassy and was part of two US presidential visits, driving members of the president’s team in the convoy. Lir is Fáilte Ireland accredited for service excellence in Irish tourism. He has driven delegates through Airline Economics week in Dublin for years.

Questions delegates ask

How long does it take to get from Dublin Airport to Ballsbridge?

About 40 minutes, depending on traffic. We monitor your flight, so your pickup moves if you land early or late.

Can my chauffeur wait while I am at sessions and dinners?

Yes. Your chauffeur stays on hand through the conference days, waits during your commitments, and drives you back to your hotel after evening dinners when you ask.

Can my PA arrange everything?

Yes. We work directly with your PA on the schedule for each day and plan the driving around it.

Book your chauffeur for Airline Economics week

See our executive chauffeur service in Dublin and request a quote for your dates.

Private Cliffs of Moher Tour from Dublin by Chauffeur

by | Oct 19, 2026

Dark layered cliffs dropping into the Atlantic, waves breaking below, green grass in the foreground and visitors on a clifftop path in the distance.
The Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, on Ireland’s west coast.

Quick summary

  • A Cliffs of Moher day trip from Dublin by chauffeur takes 12 to 13 hours, with a 7am pickup.
  • You choose the stops on the way, such as Bunratty, the Burren or Doolin.
  • Our price covers the chauffeur and the car. Book entry tickets directly with the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience.
  • We take up to seven people in one car, so families and small groups can travel together.
You can see the Cliffs of Moher in a day from Dublin. On a private tour with your own chauffeur, the day starts with a 7am pickup and takes 12 to 13 hours, with stops you choose on the way. Most of the Cliffs trips we drive are for American visitors who want to see the west of Ireland without renting a car or joining a coach tour.

Why a chauffeur suits this trip

The Cliffs of Moher are in County Clare, on the far side of the country from Dublin. That makes for a long day on the road, and with a chauffeur nobody in your group has to drive it. You can rest on the way west, watch the countryside go by, and doze on the way home. The car is yours for the day, so the timings follow your group rather than a coach timetable.

What the day looks like

  1. 7am: we collect you from your hotel or home, anywhere in Dublin or the surrounding area.
  2. On the way west: a stop at Bunratty or in the Burren, depending on what you would like to see.
  3. At the cliffs: around an hour and a half to walk the clifftop paths and visit the exhibition.
  4. Doolin, if you like: the village is about 10 minutes from the cliffs, so it is an easy stop before the drive back.
  5. Home: back to your hotel in the evening, 12 to 13 hours after pickup.
Because the trip is private, we talk it through with you before the day and recommend a schedule around what you want to see. Some guests want a castle, some want the Burren’s limestone landscape, and some want as long as possible at the cliffs themselves. Alan, who runs Lir and drives these trips, has a personal passion for Irish history, so ask him about the places you pass. At each stop he drops you at the entrance, and you join the guided tours there, which are booked and paid for at the sites.

Planning your visit to the cliffs

  • Tickets: our price covers your chauffeur and the car, not entry to the cliffs. The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience advises booking tickets online to be sure of entry, and offers lower prices for booking direct.
  • Opening hours: these change through the year, from 9am to 5pm in winter to 8am to 9pm from May to August, according to the official visitor site. We plan the day around them.
  • O’Brien’s Tower: entry is included in admission, but the tower can close for weather, so check with staff on the day.
  • What to wear: the official site calls the weather highly unpredictable and recommends a good rain jacket and walking boots.
  • When to go: summer gives you the best chance of clear views along the cliffs, but the west coast is worth seeing in any season.

A trip we remember

An American couple on their honeymoon booked several days with us during their stay in Ireland. The Cliffs of Moher was one of their highlights. On another day we drove them around the Ring of Kerry, so between their trips they saw a long stretch of Ireland’s Atlantic coast.

Groups and families

We drive luxury sedans and 7 seater MPVs, so we can take up to seven people in one car. That suits families and small groups who want to travel together and stop whenever they like. If you are flying in from the US, our guide to arriving at Dublin Airport from the US covers your first morning. For a shorter day out, see our Newgrange and Boyne Valley day trip.

Why listen to us?

Lir is run by its founder, Alan McLoughlin. Alan served with the Military Police Corps of the Irish Defence Forces before moving into close protection. He is a member of the International Association of Close Protection Professionals (IACPP) and is ISTI security trained. He has driven delegates for the Nigerian embassy and was part of two US presidential visits, driving members of the president’s team in the convoy. Lir is Fáilte Ireland accredited for service excellence in Irish tourism. Most of the Cliffs of Moher trips he drives are for American visitors, and he has a personal passion for Irish history.

Cliffs of Moher day trip questions

How long is a Cliffs of Moher day trip from Dublin?

With a private chauffeur, plan on 12 to 13 hours. We usually collect you at 7am.

Can we choose where we stop on the way?

Yes. It is your trip, so we talk through what you would like to see and recommend a route. Bunratty and the Burren are popular stops on the way, and Doolin is about 10 minutes from the cliffs.

Is entry to the Cliffs of Moher included?

No. Our price covers the chauffeur and the car. Book your entry tickets directly with the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience.

Is this a private tour or a group tour?

It is a private tour. The car and the chauffeur are for your group only, up to seven people, so the day runs on your timings rather than a coach timetable.

How much does a private Cliffs of Moher tour from Dublin cost?

We quote each trip individually, based on your group and the stops you want. The quote covers the chauffeur and the car; entry tickets and guided tours at the sites are paid separately. Call or email us with your dates and we will send you a quote.

Planning your trip west?

Tell us your dates, where you are staying and what you would like to see, and we will suggest a schedule and send you a quote. Call us or email info@lirexecutivechauffeurservice.com, or see our private chauffeur tours of Ireland.

Arriving at Dublin Airport from the US: What to Expect

by | Oct 13, 2026

Quick summary

  • Most overnight flights from the US land in Dublin early in the morning.
  • After passport control, baggage reclaim and customs, your chauffeur meets you in the arrivals hall at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2.
  • Send your flight number when you book. Alan monitors it, so an early or late landing moves your pickup.
  • Flying home, US Preclearance is at Terminal 2, and Dublin Airport suggests arriving 3 hours before a long haul flight.
Most overnight flights from the US land in Dublin early in the morning. Once you leave the plane, you go through passport control, collect your bags, pass through customs and walk out into the arrivals hall, where your chauffeur is waiting. This guide walks through each step, and what we are doing while you are still in the air.

Before you fly: send us your flight number

The single most useful thing you can do is send us your flight number when you book. Alan monitors flight times for every airport pickup, so if your flight lands early or late, your chauffeur already knows. You do not need to call or message us from the plane or the baggage hall. It also helps to tell us how many passengers are travelling, how many bags you have, whether anyone is bringing golf clubs, and where you are going first. That lets us send the right vehicle: a luxury sedan for one or two people, or a 7 seater MPV for families, small groups and anyone with extra luggage. If you are travelling on a US passport, you do not need a visa to visit Ireland for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days, according to the US State Department. Your passport must be valid for the length of your stay. Entry rules can change, so check the Embassy of Ireland’s website for current details before you travel.

Step 1: passport control

After you leave the aircraft, follow the signs for passport control. Rules on which lanes and eGates non EU passport holders can use are set by the Irish Immigration Service, so check its website before you travel rather than relying on what you used last time. Queue times vary with how many flights have landed together, which is one more reason to let us track your flight rather than fix a pickup time in advance.

Step 2: baggage reclaim and golf clubs

Collect your bags from the reclaim belt shown on the screens for your flight. If you are travelling with golf clubs or other large items, tell us when you book so the car has room for them.

Step 3: customs and the arrivals hall

Once you have your bags, go through customs and out into the arrivals hall. This is where your Dublin Airport chauffeur meets you, at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. We help with your luggage from the terminal to the car, which is parked a short walk from arrivals, so there is no queue for a taxi and no search for a driver outside. One recent example: we were booked to collect a senior executive flying in from New York, due to land at 4am. In Alan’s experience, flights from New York tend to come in early, so he kept an eye on the flight tracker through the night. The flight landed an hour early, at 3am, and he was in the arrivals hall when the passenger walked through, then drove them home to Ratoath in Co. Meath.

Arriving through Dublin Airport’s Platinum VIP service

Some of our corporate clients arrive through Dublin Airport’s Platinum VIP service, a private arrival service run by the airport. Platinum is booked directly with Dublin Airport, not through us. If you are using it, tell us when you book, and we will plan your collection around it so the car is ready when you leave Platinum VIP.

What we are doing while you are in the air

Lir is based in Ashbourne, a short drive from the terminals, and operates 24/7, so an early landing is not a problem for us. While you are flying, we are tracking your flight, planning the route to your first stop, and timing the drive to the airport around your actual arrival rather than the time on your ticket.

Your first morning: hotel, meeting or straight on?

After an overnight flight, most people want one of three things.
  • Straight to a hotel in Dublin. If your room will not be ready yet, ask your hotel in advance whether it can hold your bags or offer an early check in.
  • Straight to a meeting. Tell us the address and meeting time when you book, and we plan the pickup and route around it, with time built in for passport control and baggage.
  • Straight on to the rest of Ireland. Many visitors from the US go directly from Dublin Airport to Adare, Kerry, Galway or the Boyne Valley. We quote the whole journey in advance, with room for luggage and golf clubs, so you can sleep in the car instead of driving on the left after a night flight.

Flying home: leave time for US Preclearance

Flights from Dublin to the US leave from Terminal 2, where you complete US immigration and customs before you board, so you arrive in the US as a domestic passenger. Dublin Airport says Terminal 2 can be busy from 05:00 to 12:00 and advises leaving plenty of time to check in, clear security and complete Preclearance, and suggests arriving at your terminal 3 hours before a long haul flight. Give us your flight time and we will plan your pickup with that in mind. Our guide to US Preclearance at Dublin Airport explains each step and how early to leave.

Why listen to us?

Lir is run by its founder, Alan McLoughlin. Alan served with the Military Police Corps of the Irish Defence Forces before moving into close protection. He is a member of the International Association of Close Protection Professionals (IACPP) and is ISTI security trained. He has driven delegates for the Nigerian embassy and was part of two US presidential visits, driving members of the president’s team in the convoy. Lir is Fáilte Ireland accredited for service excellence in Irish tourism. Lir is based in Ashbourne, a short drive from Dublin Airport, operates 24/7, and Alan monitors every flight he collects.

Questions about arriving in Dublin from the US

What happens if my flight lands early?

Alan monitors flight times for every airport pickup, so your chauffeur knows your flight is early and is in the arrivals hall when you come through.

Where will my chauffeur meet me?

In the arrivals hall at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, depending on where your flight lands. Your chauffeur helps with your luggage and walks you to the car.

Can you collect me if I use Dublin Airport’s Platinum VIP service?

Yes. Platinum is booked directly with Dublin Airport. Tell us you are using it when you book, and we will plan your collection around it.

Can I book before I leave the US?

Yes. Email info@lirexecutivechauffeurservice.com or call +353 85 842 0199 with your flight number, number of passengers and destination, and we will reply with a fixed quote. Executive assistants and travel managers can book on your behalf.

Planning your trip? See our guide for visitors from the US, or book a Dublin Airport transfer.

Newgrange and the Boyne Valley: A Day Trip from Dublin by Chauffeur

by | Oct 2, 2026

Traditional white thatched cottage in County Meath, on the way to Newgrange and the Boyne Valley
A thatched cottage in Co. Meath, on the drive north from Dublin to the Boyne Valley.

Quick summary

  • Newgrange is in Co. Meath, about an hour’s drive north of Dublin city centre.
  • Newgrange can only be visited on a guided tour from the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, so book before you travel.
  • A private day can add Slane, the Hill of Tara or Trim Castle.
  • Your quote covers the car and chauffeur. Entry tickets are booked separately.
A private chauffeur is the easiest way to see Newgrange and the Boyne Valley from Dublin. Your chauffeur collects you from your hotel or Dublin Airport, drives you the short journey north into Co. Meath, waits while you visit, and plans the day around your tour times, with no coach timetable and no parking to worry about.

Why visit Newgrange and the Boyne Valley?

Newgrange is a passage tomb built over 5,000 years ago, older than Stonehenge and the pyramids of Giza. With Knowth and Dowth it forms Brú na Bóinne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The valley around it holds some of the most important places in Irish history, from the seat of the High Kings at Tara to the site of the Battle of the Boyne.

A suggested day trip from Dublin by chauffeur

  • Morning: collection from your Dublin hotel, then north to the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre for the guided tour of Newgrange (tour tickets booked separately).
  • Midday: lunch in Slane, then the Hill of Slane, where Saint Patrick is said to have lit the Paschal fire.
  • Afternoon: the Hill of Tara, ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland, or Trim Castle, the largest Anglo Norman castle in Ireland.
  • Evening: return to Dublin, or onward to your next hotel.
Every tour is private, so we can change the order, add the Battle of the Boyne site or stop wherever you like.

Why a private chauffeur rather than a coach tour?

A coach tour runs to a fixed timetable for a full bus. With a chauffeur, the day is yours: you leave when you are ready, spend longer where you want, and travel in a quiet, comfortable car. Our 7 seater MPVs suit families and small groups travelling together.

Local knowledge

Lir is based in Ashbourne, Co. Meath, a short drive from the Boyne Valley. Our founder, Alan McLoughlin, has a lifelong passion for Irish history, and the company takes its name from the legend of the Children of Lir. Read more about Lir, or see our private historical tours of Ireland and all our private chauffeur tours.

Why listen to us?

Lir is run by its founder, Alan McLoughlin. Alan served with the Military Police Corps of the Irish Defence Forces before moving into close protection. He is a member of the International Association of Close Protection Professionals (IACPP) and is ISTI security trained. He has driven delegates for the Nigerian embassy and was part of two US presidential visits, driving members of the president’s team in the convoy. Lir is Fáilte Ireland accredited for service excellence in Irish tourism. Lir is based in Ashbourne, Co. Meath, a short drive from the Boyne Valley.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Newgrange from Dublin?

Newgrange is in Co. Meath, about an hour’s drive north of Dublin city centre, depending on traffic.

Do I need to book Newgrange in advance?

Yes. Newgrange can only be visited on a guided tour from the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre and places are limited, so book your tour before you travel. We plan your collection time around it.

Can you collect us from Dublin Airport and go straight to the Boyne Valley?

Yes. Many visitors start their trip this way, going straight from Dublin Airport to the Boyne Valley.

Do you publish prices?

No. Every tour is different, so we quote on request based on your route, group size and timing. Your quote covers the car and chauffeur for the day. Entry tickets for Newgrange and other sites are booked separately.

See our Dublin Airport transfers.

Plan your Boyne Valley day. Request your quote today.