Dieser heidnische Begräbnisplatz wurde um 3200 vor Christus eingerichtet. Er erstreckt sich über eine Fläche von über 4000 Quadratmeter und ist mit 97 Steinblöcken eingefasst. Jedes Jahr kommen hunderte Besucher hierher, um Zeugen der spektakulären Winter- und Sommersonnwende zu werden.

Inside there is a curious window shaped opening called a roof box. This strange orifice was quite a find for those who uneaerthed it. When they found out what it was for, they were even more shocked. This is an ancient time-telling device that they believe was bulit even before the Pyramids. The purpose of the box is to allow sunlight to penetrate the chamber on the shortest days of the year, around December 21 - the winter solstice.

Every year between the 19th and 23rd of December a thin beam of light penetrates the box and reaches the floor of the indoor chamber. The light gradually extends all the way to the rear of the passage.

As the sun rises higher in the sky the whole indoor chamber becomes dramatically lit up. It’s spectacular. The whole event lasts for around 17/18 minuetes. It takes place in the morning every year at roughly the same time - between 8:58 am and 9:15 am.

The accuracy of Newgrange as a time-telling device is quite astonishing. It was built 500 years before the Pyramids of Egypt and over 1,000 years before Sonehenge in England. The people who built it clearly used it as a time reference to mark the begining of the new year or the end of the old.

Nowadays, and probably back then, people see it as a strong symbol of the victory of life over death and light over darkness. The winter solstice at Newgrange is a polular event and attracts people from all walks of life; from new age hippies and travellers to everyday surburban family’s and couples.

Every year people from all over gather in the darkness and half light of dawn to witness this spectacular event. Exactly as they would have done over 5,000 years ago. As you’d imagine, there’s a huge demand for entry into the actual chamber where the light comes, so a free annual lottery has been set up letting a certain number of people in. You can get an application form from the visitor centre.

Even if you’re not one of “the chosen few”, the atmosphere outside is probably just as good; there’s a communal sense of excitement and fascination, as everyone witnesses this spectacular event together.

Having said that, as is always in Ireland, sometimes there is no sun at all. On these occasions, there is’nt really much to see, but most would agree it’s an extraordinary feeling to wait in the darkness, as people did so long ago, for the longest night of the year to end.

New Grange is open to the public year-round. During high season, be prepared for long delays and access is not always guaranteed.