The Boyne Valley Trails September Festival returns from 12th to 20th September with a programme of guided walks, outdoor activities, and cultural experiences.
This year’s festival will also mark 40 years of the Táin Trail with a special two-day guided hike, alongside kayaking, paddleboarding, wild swimming, heritage walks, wellbeing sessions, and food and culture tours.
Based around Drogheda, the gateway to the stunning and mythical Boyne Valley, the festival offers visitors the chance to explore coastline, river and countryside through a mix of accessible and immersive events.
At the heart of the programme are the region’s established trail experiences, including sections of the Boyne Camino, alongside guided history and heritage walks in Drogheda and its surrounds, myths and legends tours of the region, and Nordic Walking sessions suitable for all levels.
A key highlight of this year’s festival will be the celebration of 40 years of the Táin Trail, marked with a special two-day guided hike, led by photographer and writer Ellie Berry and tour guide and former footballer Dusty Flanagan. Following the route of the legendary Táin Bó Cúailnge, the trail offers a unique way to experience the landscape through both its physical terrain and its deep mythological roots, making it one of the most distinctive long-distance routes in the country.
Alongside its walking programme, the festival continues to broaden how visitors can experience the Boyne Valley outdoors. Events will include kayaking and paddleboarding on the River Boyne, wild swimming, as well as breathwork, sound bathing and wellbeing sessions set in natural surroundings. A series of food and culture-led tours will also give visitors the opportunity to connect with the area through its local stories and produce.
Dusty Flanagan of Boyne Valley Trails said: “There’s something really special about showing people this landscape and seeing the connection they make with it. Whether going further afield to the Cooley Peninsula for the Táin Trail, out on the water, or hearing the stories tied to a place, it all adds up to a deeper experience. That’s what the festival is about, helping people experience the Boyne Valley in a way that stays with them.”
Trevor Connolly, CEO of Love Drogheda BID, added: “Boyne Valley Trails September Festival is a great way to experience the Boyne Valley, whether it’s your first visit or you know the area well. Everything is within easy reach from beaches and river to heritage sites, and the programme offers a real mix of activities, so people can explore it at their own pace.”
Rooted in history and mythology, the Boyne Valley is one of Ireland’s most culturally significant landscapes. Celebrating this rich cultural heritage, festival events are rooted in the stories, landscapes and ancient routes that shape the region, offering visitors a way to experience Ireland’s past while immersed in its natural environment.
For more information, visit: www.boynevalleytrails.ie
