Loughcrew Equinox - 22nd September 2011
On Carnbane East at Loughcrew, Cairn T is aligned with the rising sun at the equinoxes, when light enters the chamber and illuminates the carvings within. The photographs below record the autumn equinox on 22nd September 2011, from misty first light to a golden beam on the backstone.
A misty sunrise at Loughcrew Cairn T - 7:18am
Staff from the OPW (Office of Public Works) were at Cairn T, Loughcrew on three mornings around the Autumn Equinox. On two of the three mornings there was a good sunrise rewarding those who made the effort to get up early. Clare and Leontia arranged an orderly queue both sides of the entrance and allowed groups of 5 or 6 to enter to view the illumination of the backstone inside the chamber of Cairn T.
Waiting for the rising sun to break through the misty cloud at Loughcrew Cairn T - 7:19am
The sun getting brighter at Loughcrew Cairn T - 7:23am
The shadow of the photographer showing the rising sun shining directly into Cairn T - 7:39am
Sun Illuminating the Backstone in Loughcrew Cairn T at 7:42am on September 22nd 2011
A wonderful sunrise for the Equinox Illumination of the chamber at Cairn T - 7:53am
The rising sun at Cairn T on Cairnbane East viewed from Cairnbane West - Photo by Martin Byrne.
Loughcrew Video - Spring Equinox 2005
The progress of the sunbeam on the backstone inside Cairn T at Loughcrew was video recorded at sunrise on the morning of March 23rd 2005. The 50 minute video has been compressed to 1 minute 46 seconds and included in the following YouTube Video.