Its breathtaking winter solstice illumination makes Newgrange a passage tomb of global significance. But did you know Ireland’s quintessential wow moment is 5,000 years old?

Yep, 5,000 years. That’s older than Stonehenge. It’s older than the great Egyptian pyramids, too. And five millennia later, it hasn’t lost any of its wonder.

But first things first: Newgrange can’t be visited directly. If you’re driving, set your course for the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre as opposed to Newgrange itself. Here, you’ll find an interpretive centre where you can buy tickets, and proceed by shuttle bus for a guided tour of Newgrange and of the nearby passage tomb at Knowth. If you don’t have a car, don’t worry – day tours can be arranged from Dublin.

Arriving at the iconic tomb is a wow moment, to say the least. Standing outside the 80-metre mound, shored up with spiral-engraved kerbstones and white Wicklow quartzite, a guide reveals the myths and history behind the monument. Newgrange may have been designed as a tomb or a temple but in spite of the knowledge that archaeologists have garnered from the site since its discovery, it continues to surprise and intrigue.

Once the scene has been set for you as a visitor, you’ll step inside the passage tomb itself, squeezing through standing stones carved with spiralling rock art and graffiti dating back to the 1800s (before Newgrange was taken into State care). Ducking under beams of wood, you’ll emerge into the cool confines of a cruciform-shaped chamber, like a stony igloo squirrelled away within a hill.

This inner sanctum is where a lucky few (chosen by lottery from thousands of applicants annually) huddle together to witness the annual winter solstice illumination in December. In this moment, when megalithic engineering and nature come sensationally into sync, a shaft of light can be seen snaking 19 metres up the passageway, ultimately bathing the chamber in light. You’ll get goosebumps…

If you’re not one of the lucky ones, don’t fret. All visitors are treated to a simulated solstice, with an orange beam of light artificially showcasing the effect. It’s a tantalising taster – little wonder legend suggests that this was the site where mythological hero Cú Chulainn was conceived.

Newgrange isn’t the only passage tomb in Ireland, of course. In fact, it’s not the only passage tomb at Brú na Bóinne. Together with nearby Knowth and Dowth, Newgrange was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Not bad for a site that once looked destined to become a quarry!

Words: Ireland.com

Witness Ancient Magic Live: The Winter Solstice at Newgrange!

Join the Office of Public Works in Ireland on Saturday, 21st December for a truly breathtaking experience as they livestream the Winter Solstice from the 5,000-year-old Newgrange passage tomb, part of the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage Site.

📡 Watch Live Worldwide:
Experience the rising sun’s golden light as it illuminates the inner chamber, just as it has for millennia. This rare and celestial event, streamed in stunning high definition, brings history, astronomy, and heritage into your home.

🌟 Special Narration & Insights:
Experts, Clare Tuffy and Frank Prendergast, will share captivating stories and fascinating facts about this ancient marvel and its solar alignment.

📺 How to Watch:
Tune in live on:
👉 gov.ie/opw
👉 heritageireland.ie
👉 YouTube/@OpwIe

Don’t miss this global celebration of light and heritage, a tradition stretching back over 5,000 years. 🌄

Be sure to Follow the Office of Public Works for details on the link to the livestream.

Tag your friends, share widely, and be part of this magical moment!

More information – https://cutt.ly/EeCc8xVZ

Pictures: Winter solstice at Newgrange passage tomb. Credit: Ireland.com