Exploring the Newgrange passage tomb

Located in the Boyne Valley, Newgrange is a 5,200 year old passage tomb. It is a Neolithic structure that was built by skilled Stone Age farmers around 3200 BCE. Newgrange covers an area of about 1 acre of land and measures 85 metres in diameter and 13 metres in height. It is part of a larger collection of 37 passage tombs called the Brú na Bóinne complex. This heritage site also includes the similar passage tombs of Knowth and Dowth that can also be explored by visitors.

An inside look into Newgrange

It is believed by historians that the Neolithic people that lived here built Newgrange as a tomb to hold the cremated remains of their dead. One of the reasons for this belief is that when the excavations began, the remains of five people were found. However, the structure does much more than solely hold the remains of the dead.

The entrance of Newgrange is rectangular in shape, with an opening at the top called a Roofbox. This Roofbox is located high above the structure’s entrance, however the passage floor rises gradually so that, once inside the chamber, the Roofbox is level with the floor.

Inside, the structure consists of a passageway that leads into a larger chamber. The Neolithic farmers positioned the stones at the entrance of the tomb in such a way that, during a specific time of the year, an incredible phenomenon takes place. 

During the winter solstice, which occurs on the 21st of December, the chamber, which is usually completely dark, lights up completely for a period of around 17 minutes. This, of course, depends on the weather conditions that day and provided that there are no clouds blocking the sun. The lighting of the passage occurs because on the day of the winter solstice, the sun aligns perfectly with the gap left at the entrance of the tomb and creates a magnificent passage of light.

Many believe that Newgrange was built to worship the sun and although we will never know the exact reasons why the Stone Age farmers chose to build this structure, it is clear that they had a huge respect for both their dead and for the sun. They used their skills and knowledge of astronomy to allow for the winter solstice to illuminate the remains of their dead, at least for one morning of the year.

• Visiting the picturesque Kylemore Abbey

Experiencing the Winter Solstice

Newgrange is open to guests year round. In order to experience a little bit of the magic felt on the morning of the Winter solstice, an artificial light enters the chamber during the guided tour of Newgrange. However, there is a lottery held each year to be able to stand in the chamber and watch the sun light up the passage. While there is a limited number of people who can stand in the chamber, Newgrange invites anyone who wishes to stand outside of the monument.

The solstice mornings are from December 19th to December 23rd inclusive, and names are drawn for each of the solstice mornings. There are around 30,000 people entered into the draw each year. Each person chosen can bring a guest to experience the light entering the passage. Guests should remember that this experience is completely weather dependent and there is no guarantee that there will be sun on the morning of the winter solstice

• Dursey Island: Ireland’s cable car paradise.

Decorating Newgrange 

The farmers that constructed Newgrange made sure to decorate the stones with Neolithic art using a number of different symbols including spirals, arcs and chevrons. While some believe that there may be a meaning behind these symbols, it remains unknown what these meanings are.

There are a number of engravings throughout the entire structure. The most prominent and perhaps most well-known are the engravings etched on the stone placed at the entrance of the passage tomb. The stone is approximately 3 metres long and 1.2 metres high, and is decorated with a triskelion style design of interconnecting spirals.

Where?

Newgrange is located in the Boyne Valley in Drogheda, Co. Meath, A92 EH5C.

Tickets

• A maximum of 14 tickets can be purchased online, so if you are looking to enquire about a group booking (15-24 tickets) email brunaboinne@opw.ie. Similarly, if you are looking to enquire about booking tickets for wheelchair users or visitors who require special assistance, you can also email brunaboinne@opw.ie ahead of booking.