Newgrange - Winter Solstice

Newgrange is renowned for the way the rising sun lights its passage and chamber at the Winter Solstice. A specially designed opening above the entrance, known as the roof box, allows a narrow beam of sunlight to enter the mound on the mornings around the solstice. The light moves along the 19m (62ft) passage and reaches the inner chamber, widening as the sun climbs and filling the space with a warm golden glow.

Access to the chamber on the Solstice mornings is decided by a lottery that takes place at the end of September each year. All are welcome to gather outside the entrance to the Newgrange mound on each of the mornings from December 19th to December 23rd inclusive, sunrise is at 8.58am. Access via the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre or directly to the actual Newgrange monument.

Winter Solstice Illumination at Newgrange

Newgrange World Heritage site

Newgrange, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a prehistoric monument dating back over 5,000 years. The passage tomb features a 19m (62ft) long passage leading to a central chamber which is adorned with megalithic art. Remarkably, the monument is constructed in such a way that sunlight penetrates its inner sanctum on the mornings around the winter solstice.

The Winter Solstice Phenomenon

The winter solstice, which falls around the 21st of December, marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. At Newgrange, sunrise on the mornings around the solstice reveals a remarkable alignment. The first rays of the sun enter through a specially crafted opening above the doorway known as the roof box and begin to light the narrow passage. As the sun rises, the light moves steadily forward until the central chamber is filled with a golden glow. The illumination lasts for only about 17 minutes, yet it remains one of the most captivating experiences in Ireland’s ancient calendar.

The Ingenious Design

The precision of Newgrange's construction is awe-inspiring. The builders' understanding of celestial movements is evident in the deliberate positioning of the entrance and passage. The alignment of the passage with the winter solstice sunrise speaks to a sophisticated knowledge of astronomy, as well as a deep connection to the natural rhythms of the Earth. The sheer engineering feat achieved without the aid of modern tools adds an extra layer of marvel to the site.

Spiritual Significance

The winter solstice sunrise alignment at Newgrange is more than a celestial event; it holds spiritual significance for many. The fleeting burst of sunlight symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, a theme woven into various cultures and belief systems. Visitors from all over the world gather at Newgrange to witness this ancient spectacle.

Newgrange Winter Solstice Archive

• 21st December 2025 Winter Solstice.
• 19th December 2024 Winter Solstice.
• 19th December 2023 Winter Solstice.
• 20th December 2022 Winter Solstice.
• 20th December 2020 Winter Solstice.
• 18th December 2016 Winter Solstice.
• 20th December 2015 Winter Solstice.
• 19th December 2014 Winter Solstice.
• 21st December 2013 Winter Solstice.
• 18th December 2011 Winter Solstice.
• 22nd December 2010 Winter Solstice.
• 19th December 2010 Winter Solstice.
• 18th December 2010 Winter Solstice.
• 22nd December 2009 Winter Solstice.
• 21st December 2009 Winter Solstice.
• 21st December 2008 Winter Solstice.
• 21st December 2007 Winter Solstice.
• 22nd December 2006 Winter Solstice.
• 21st December 2006 Winter Solstice.
• 21st December 2005 Winter Solstice.
• 20th December 2005 Winter Solstice.
• 21st December 2004 Winter Solstice.
• 19th December 2004 Winter Solstice.
• 21st December 2003 Winter Solstice.
• 22nd December 2002 Winter Solstice.
• 21st December 2001 Winter Solstice.

People of the Passage Tombs

Who were these people gathered on the hillside at Newgrange, the passage grave built 5,000 years ago in a crook of the River Boyne in Co Meath? Why did they build this colossal monument and what did they expect from it? Read More...