Drogheda, Boyne Valley has been announced as the location for the world famous Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2018.

Sandwiched between Dublin and the Northern Irish border the Boyne Valley is expected to become one of must visit regions in 2018 thanks to Ireland's biggest cultural event the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann taking place in Drogheda.

From the 12th to 19th August 2018 the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will attract hundreds of artists to the country's largest family festival who will perform to an expected audience of 400,000. The event is the world's largest annual celebration of Irish music, language, song and dance.

Boyne Valley was once Ireland's ancient capital, home to some of they country's most mythical landscapes including a collection of UNSECO world heritage sites dating back 5,000 years. It is also one of Ireland's most accessible destinations only 20 minutes from Dublin International Airport.

The Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will showcase Ireland's rich cultural history and to allow visitors to explore Boyne Valley's unique history, culture and beauty the Discover Boyne Valley tourist board have created a series of routes and tourist offerings.

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Editor's Notes

A range of press trips can be arranged in 2018, with special support for freelancers, bloggers and vloggers. Press trip itineraries can be themed around heritage & culture, food & drink, golf and active breaks.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/discoverboyne.valley 
Twitter: @DiscoverBoyneV / Instagram: @discoverboynevalley  

Boyne Valley: 10 Facts

1. Boyne Valley is one of Ireland's most accessible destinations only 20 minutes from Dublin International Airport.
2. Boyne Valley was once Ireland's ancient capital and is home to 5000 years of history in one valley. 
3. There is a 225km-driving route around Boyne that links the area's 33 heritage sites includingBrú na Bóinne, Drogheda and Loughcrew Cairns.
4. TheBrú na Bóinne monuments, one of only three UNESCO World Heritage sites in Ireland, represent the largest expression of prehistoric megalithic art in Europe. 
5. Trim Castle is Ireland's largest Anglo-Norman castle and featured in Mel Gibson'sBraveheart.
6. Newgrange was constructed over 5000 years ago in 3200BC making it 1000 years older than Stonehenge and 500 years older than Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza.
7. The Battle of Boyne (1stJuly 1690) was the last time two crowned kings of England, Scotland and Ireland faced each other on the battlefield.
8. Oliver Cromwell captured the town of Drogheda in 1649 and the earliest monument is Millmount built some time before 1168.
9. According to local folklore the Neolithic tombs at Loughcrew are the work of a witch, with the Irish name isSliabh na Callaí translating to 'Hill of the Witch'. 
10. St Patrick landed at the mouth of the River Boyne near Drogheda, in 432AD when he first arrived in Ireland to introduce Christianity.