Moonlit Newgrange Burial Chamber and Standing Stone, County Meath, Ireland.

Photographer: Tim Hannan



Standing Stone at Newgrange, County Meath, Ireland.



Newgrange Winter Solstice, County Meath, Ireland.

Photographer: Mike Bunn



Newgrange Kerbstone 52, County Meath, Ireland.

Photographer: Liam Blake

Newgrange Megalithic Passage Tomb

The Megalithic Passage Tomb at Newgrange was built about 3200 BC. The kidney shaped mound covers an area of over one acre and is surrounded by 97 kerbstones, some of which are richly decorated with megalithic art. The 19 metre long inner passage leads to a cruciform chamber with a corbelled roof. It is estimated that the construction of the Passage Tomb at Newgrange would have taken a work force of 300 at least 20 years.


The passage and chamber of Newgrange are illuminated by the winter solstice sunrise. A shaft of sunlight shines through the roof box over the entrance and penetrates the passage to light up the chamber. The dramatic event lasts for 17 minutes at dawn from the 19th to the 23rd of December.

Admission to the chamber of the tomb at Newgrange for the Winter Solstice sunrise is by lottery, application forms are available at the reception desk in the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre.

Megalithic mounds such as Newgrange entered Irish mythology as sídhe or fairy mounds. Newgrange was said to be the home of Oenghus, the god of love. The Passage Tomb at Newgrange was re-discovered in 1699 by the removal of material for road building. A major excavation of Newgrange began in 1962; the original facade of sparkling white quartz was rebuilt using stone found at the site.

Newgrange has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and attracts 200,000 visitors per year. There is no direct access to the Passage Tomb at Newgrange, access is by guided tour from the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre located close to the village of Donore, Co. Meath. The last tour of Newgrange is 90 minutes before closing time of the Visitor Centre. Groups of 15 or more must book in advance.

Boyne Valley Private Day Tour

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