Newgrange Winter Solstice
Winter Solstice at Newgrange
For over 5,000 years a mystical celestial event has occurred in Ireland. On the winter solstice every year the rising sun penetrates a 60-foot-long passageway inscribed with mysterious carvings and lights up the interior chamber of Newgrange. Is it a tomb? A temple? A calendar? Perhaps we will never know the Neolithic mind-set that built such a complicated monument.
Although described by archaeologists as a passage grave, Newgrange keeps its secrets. Why is the inner chamber lit up for 17 minutes at the solstice – and for several days on either side of that date? What is the meaning of the triple spiral symbol inside the cave-like chamber and the beautiful abstract art inscribed on the stones? Why are we today fascinated by an ancient pile of rocks? Thousands of articles and hundreds of books raise more questions than answers.
Instead go to Newgrange at Brú na Bóinne and see for yourself. Walk where the ancients walked. View prehistoric carvings and Viking graffiti. Marvel at the sparkling wall of white quartz interspersed with granite boulders. Gaze out over the majestic Boyne River Valley. Touch the weathered standing stones. Enter the cramped passageway into the surprisingly large inner chamber with its corbelled roof. Listen to the history and legends of warriors, gods and kings.
More in-depth info:
Watch the Newgrange winter solstice streamed live at 8:30 am Irish time on Dec. 21, 2011: Heritage Ireland & RTE
© 2011 Michele Erdvig
“Ireland Travel Expert”
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I have been to see Newgrange and while taking the tour inside, they showed us what it looks like during the winter solstice. It was amazing even though it wasn’t the actual event; they were able to give us an idea of what it was like.
Catherine,
I agree. It is amazing. Especially that the celestial alignment is still working after 5,000 years. That took some good engineering.
Thanks for sharing this, Michele! I watched the video three times today. Newgrange was tops on my list on our trip to Ireland in 2009 but as we did a “U” from Shannon to Dublin in one week, we just couldn’t get there. Next time!
Karen,
I hope you get to visit next time. You will need 4 hours to see everything properly.