The Rainbow
In Irish legend Leprechauns bury pots of gold at the
end of the rainbow, but since a rainbow can only be seen at a distance, the
gold is forever illusive. In Greek and Roman mythology, Iris the goddess of
the rainbow was one of the messengers of the gods. A rainbow is a bridge
used by soul boats in Indonesia. The Arabs and the Bantu people of Africa
believe the rainbow to be a divine bow for firing arrows. In Christian
tradition, the rainbow represents the throne of Christ.
With so much myth and legend associated with a rainbow, it was fitting that
a rainbow should illuminate the sky for the people outside
Newgrange
while the fortunate few inside were experiencing the
illumination
of the chamber.
A rainbow with its colours of
Red,
Orange,
Yellow,
Green,
Blue,
Indigo and
Violet is light
refracted in raindrops and reflected back to the observer. To see a rainbow
the sun must be behind the observer and it must be raining in front of the
observer. Large raindrops make the best rainbows.
Sometimes a secondary paler coloured rainbow can be seen, it
appears because some of the light that enters the raindrops is reflected
not one but twice from the back of the raindrops before it leaves.
A double rainbow above a lawn
labyrinth, notice
how the colours are reversed in the secondary rainbow.
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.
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