Newgrange Winter Solstice - 19th to 23rd December 2024

Visitors are invited to gather outside the Newgrange monument to witness the sunrise during the mornings around the Winter Solstice, from December 19th to 23rd. This unique experience offers an opportunity to connect with the ancient site and its timeless celebration of light, as the first rays of the sun illuminate the Newgrange chamber.

Access via Visitor Centre

There is no car parking at the Newgrange Monument itself. All visitors should start at the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, Eircode A92 EH5C.

Limited free parking is available at the Visitor Centre. Allow extra time for parking and taking the free shuttle bus from the Visitor Centre to Newgrange.

Access to Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre and Newgrange is free until 9:00 AM on Solstice mornings (December 19th to 23rd).

The Visitor Centre will open early on Solstice mornings:
Thursday, December 19: 07:00
Friday, December 20: 07:00
Saturday, December 21: 06:15
Sunday, December 22: 06:45
Monday, December 23: 07:00

Only registered assistance dogs with appropriate documentation are permitted on-site.

This is an outdoor experience, so please dress warmly and wear suitable footwear for winter conditions.

Newgrange Chamber Access

Sunrise access to the chamber is limited to Solstice Lottery winners. If you'd like to visit the chamber after sunrise, you can queue to the right of the entrance. Visitors will be admitted in small groups after the winners' session concludes.

Road Closures

Approach roads to the Newgrange monument will be closed on the mornings of December 21st and 22nd.

The Solstice Lottery

Each year, access to the chamber at sunrise is granted to winners of the Winter Solstice Lottery.

On October 7, 2024, local schoolchildren drew 38 winners from 18,809 applications. Each winner, along with a guest, will have the unique opportunity to experience sunrise from within the chamber. Participants come from Ireland and beyond, including Austria, Canada, the U.S., Spain, and the UK.

Apply for the 2025 Winter Solstice

Newgrange Winter Solstice Archive

Boyne Valley Private Day Tour

Immerse yourself in the rich heritage and culture of the Boyne Valley with our full-day private tours. Visit Newgrange World Heritage site, explore the Hill of Slane, where Saint Patrick famously lit the Paschal fire. Discover the Hill of Tara, the ancient seat of power for the High Kings of Ireland. Book Now