Dowth Megalithic Passage Tomb

Dowth
together with Newgrange and Knowth are the three principal megalithic passage
tombs of the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site. The mound is 90 metres in
diameter and 15 metres high and surrounded by kerbstones, some of which are
decorated.
Dowth was unprofessional excavated in 1847, which accounts for the crater in the
centre of the mound. Two passage tombs were discovered on the western side.
Dowth North has a 14 meter passage is crossed by three sill-stones and ends in a
cruciform chamber.
Several of the orthostats of the passage and chamber are
decorated with spirals, chevrons, lozenges and circles. The right-hand arm of
the cross leads into another long rectangular chamber with an L-shaped extension
entered over a low sill.
There is no public access to the passage and chamber, in times past access was
by a ladder down into an iron cage which is still there today, but securely
locked. A kerbstone with cup-marks, a spiral and a flower-like design marks the
entrance to the Dowth South, a smaller tomb where the roof had fallen in and was
replaced with concrete roof. This tomb has a few decorated stones, and a single
right-hand recess.
Dowth shares a
solar alignment with neighbouring Newgrange during the winter
solstice.
Martin Brennan
author of
The Stones of Time
discovered that from November to February the rays of the setting sun reach into
the passage and then the chamber of Dowth South. During the winter solstice the
light of the low sun moves along the left side of the passage, then into the
circular chamber, where three stones are lit up by the sun. The convex central
stone reflects the sunlight in to a dark recess, lighting up the decorated
stones there. The rays then recede slowly along the right side of the passage
and after about two hours the sun withdraws from Dowth South.
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Visitor Information
Dowth is not on the official tour from the
Brú na Bóinne
Visitor Centre. Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth are all located on the northern bank
of the River Boyne however Newgrange and Knowth are accessed through the Brú na
Bóinne Visitor Centre located on the south bank of the river. Visitors to Dowth
can drive directly to the site on the north bank of the river. There is no
public access to the two passage chambers at Dowth; however visitors will be
rewarded with a real sense of a spiritual connection to this ancient site as
they ramble around the usually peaceful mound. GPS - N 53°42.219 W 6°27.016 (N
53.703644 W 6.450270)
Dowth Resources
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Dowth - Stone Age Passage Tomb.

Dowth Kerbstone K51 - The 7 Suns

An Aerial View of Dowth Megalithic Passage Tomb.
Boyne Valley Private Day Tours

Pick up and return to your accommodation or cruise ship. Suggested day tour:
Newgrange World Heritage site, 10th century High Crosses at Monasterboice,
Hill of Tara the seat of the High Kings of Ireland, Bective Abbey and Trim Castle the largest Norman castle in Ireland
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