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<< Our Photo Pages >> Newgrange - Passage Grave in Ireland (Republic of) in Co. Meath

Submitted by Anthony_Weir on Sunday, 19 December 2021  Page Views: 76374

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Newgrange
Country: Ireland (Republic of) County: Co. Meath Type: Passage Grave
Nearest Town: Drogheda  Nearest Village: Slane
Map Ref: O00747272
Discovery Map Number: D43
Latitude: 53.694637N  Longitude: 6.475642W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
3 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
2 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
5 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
5

Internal Links:
External Links:

I have visited· I would like to visit

MartinJEley AnnabelleStar whese001 scherre would like to visit

ArchAstro: would like to visit I'd love to go here at the Winter Solstice

SimonBlackmore visited on 27th Jan 2017 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 5

Jansold visited on 13th Sep 2014 - their rating: Cond: 2 Amb: 3 Access: 5

lichen visited on 12th Sep 2014 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 2 Access: 4

mfrincu visited on 5th May 2013 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 5 My first passage grave. I heard from it when reading about the megalithic yard and Uriel's device in a recent book. Fairly reconstructed so it may have lost some of its original "magic".

bat400 visited on 1st May 2010 - their rating: Cond: 2 Amb: 5 Access: 4

glen visited on 1st Apr 2010 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 3 i disagree with the Condition/access numbers given. You simply have to ignore the bizarre facade and wooden staircases over the entrance-stone, but Newgrange is deservedly in the top 3 most visited irish tourist attractions. Given a half-hour slot on the minibus access, it's still a fabulous sight from inside - if you ignore the concrete butressing too. The winding country stroll from the space-age visitor-centre perhaps foreshadows the future of Stonehenge - in which case stonehenge would become england's newgrange! (ps. i thought the outer stone circle was earlier than the tomb, not later.)

gherkin001 visited on 20th Mar 2005 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 3 The reconstruction leaves a lot to be desired, it is only the cement holding it up now

X-Ice visited on 2nd Aug 1982 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 5

Runemage visited - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 3

Andy B: would like to visit Reconstructed in the style of "Stalin visits the stone age" says Neil Oliver and we agree. Featured in Episode Three of BBC's History of Ancient Britain

blabar visited - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4

coin visited - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 2 Access: 5

kith visited - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 2 Access: 5

HChavez visited - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 4

Rkphenix visited - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 5

sirius_b neolithique02 Bladup DrewParsons SteveC jeffrep MelissaBWrite lizh davidmorgan Orcinus keniaar mark_a have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 3.64 Ambience: 3.93 Access: 4.29

Newgrange
Newgrange submitted by neolithique02 : Newgrange Image copyright: Néolithique02, hosted on Flickr and displayed under the terms of their API. (Vote or comment on this photo)
Passage Grave in Co. Meath. One of Ireland’s top three tourist attractions, open daily, with guided tours in summer, the is a remarkable tomb even though its façade has been rather over-restored.

Under the pressure of coachloads, the casually curious, and the faintly-inquisitive, it has lost its atmosphere. To this extent it is in a far worse state than Stonehenge. Books and photographs “explaining” it can be bought on site – and there are many websites doing much the same.

Around the tomb is a free-standing circle of stones erected after the tomb by late-Neolithic “Beaker-people” from Northern Britain, who also built a smaller circle at Ballynoe in county Down. Twelve out of an original 35 survive. There are also satellite-tombs, some of which have also been excavated.

~ Slightly over 1 km NW of Newgrange is the even more complex, marvellous and even more pillaged tomb of Knowth, also with satellite tombs. [The personal views of Anthony Weir were expressed in this article.]

The Journal of Antiquities also includes an entry for the Newgrange Passage-Tomb, Co. Meath, Southern Ireland, which includes a description, photographs, drawings of the tomb entrance and decorated entrance stones, and a list of reference sources for more information.

Note: Replays of the Winter Solstice live stream from 08:45 UTC on the 20th, 21st and 22nd of December, More info here.
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Newgrange
Newgrange submitted by McDeil : Entry at Newgrange showing massive carved stone which once blocked the entry. Not shown are the tourists who in Summer would queue for up to an hour to be taken through the tomb! (1 comment - Vote or comment on this photo)

Newgrange
Newgrange submitted by KenWilliams : Sunset on November 13th 2005. One of the large standing stones of The Great Circle and the entrance to the passage just visible. (4 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Newgrange Stone Circle
Newgrange Stone Circle submitted by KenWilliams : Three stones of the stone circle outside the entrance under a blood red sky (same evening as the other Newgrange sunset pic) with a long lens. (4 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Newgrange
Newgrange submitted by holger_rix : Newgrange (Vote or comment on this photo)

Newgrange
Newgrange submitted by Bladup : Inside Newgrange. This Original Artwork in a glass frame is £39.99 + Postage (Just whatever it costs), and is 18 cm x 12 and a half cm. A limited (to a 100) edition print in a 8" x 10" glass frame would be £19.99 + £2.90 postage, E-mail me at paul.blades@rocketmail.com if interested. (2 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Newgrange Stone Circle
Newgrange Stone Circle submitted by KenWilliams : A B&W for a change, simply a standing stone outside the pasage entrance and the moon. (1 comment)

Newgrange
Newgrange submitted by davidmorgan : Nice patterns on this kerbstone. July 1992.

Recently Discovered Prehistoric Cropmark near Newgrange
Recently Discovered Prehistoric Cropmark near Newgrange submitted by KenWilliams : The discovery by Anthony Murphy and Ken Williams of a likely prehistoric feature near Newgrange in Co Meath has been described as "a very significant find" by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The recent heatwave has been described as vital in the discovery of a possible henge, or circular enclosure, which may be of archaeological interest at the Brú na Bóinne site. Pho...

Newgrange
Newgrange submitted by davidmorgan : At the entrance to Newgrange. Another attempt at the classic image. July 1992.

Newgrange
Newgrange submitted by AngieLake : The fantastically-carved pattern on the rear kerbstone at Newgrange in July 1999.

Newgrange
Newgrange submitted by siunni9 : This image of the Newgrange passage tomb was taken October 16th 2005. It was such a wonderful experience to actually go into the passageway and view the interior of the mound :-) (8 comments)

Newgrange Stone Circle
Newgrange Stone Circle submitted by TysonM : Early morning fog lifting from a couple of satelite standing stones. These 2 stones are in close proximity to the main entrance at Newgrange, which is left or west of these stones. (4 comments)

Newgrange
Newgrange submitted by AlexHunger : Newgrange. The Irish name is Si An Bhru. The Quartz facade is unique. The Quartz was brought from the Wicklow Mountains 80 Km away. The darker stone at the entrance is not original. It has just been placed there to contrast with the other material and because an indentation has been made in the facade to make room for the stairs that protect the wonderful front curbstone. There are 97 Curbstones, ... (1 comment)

Newgrange
Newgrange submitted by AngieLake : The amazingly neat restoration work of the entrance, the lightbox, and the carved blocking stone! July 1999.

Newgrange
Newgrange submitted by AngieLake : The quartz walls glowing brightly on a sweltering day in July 99.

Newgrange
Newgrange submitted by jeffrep : Main Newgrange Passage Tomb and Satellite Mound (Site A) in field of rape seed taken from south of the River Boyne.

Newgrange
Newgrange submitted by Orcinus : Newgrange 1991

Newgrange
Newgrange submitted by KaiHofmann : Newgrange engraved stone part of the stone-ring around the tumulus.

Newgrange
Newgrange submitted by KaiHofmann : Newgrange entrance closer view.

Newgrange
Newgrange submitted by holger_rix : Newgrange 1889

Newgrange
Newgrange submitted by AlexHunger : Newgrange Kerbstone 2 (2 comments)

Newgrange
Newgrange submitted by Orcinus : Newgrange 1991

Newgrange
Newgrange submitted by Flickr : New Grange New Grange, County Meath, Ireland. Neolithic 5000 year old circular burial chamber made of stone. The sun only shines in the chamber at the winter solstice. Huge Carved stones adorn the sides . Image copyright: Le monde d'aujourd'hui, hosted on Flickr and displayed under the terms of their API.

Newgrange
Newgrange submitted by neolithique02 : Newgrange Image copyright: Néolithique02, hosted on Flickr and displayed under the terms of their API.

Newgrange
Newgrange submitted by neolithique02 : Newgrange Nice pics sir ! Image copyright: Néolithique02, hosted on Flickr and displayed under the terms of their API.

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 45m WSW 245° Newgrange Stone Circle* Stone Circle (O007727)
 729m SSW 203° Recently Discovered Prehistoric Cropmark near Newgrange* Misc. Earthwork
 893m ESE 105° Newgrange Standing Stones* Standing Stones
 1.2km NW 304° Knowth Timber Circle* Timber Circle (N997734)
 1.3km NW 305° Knowth* Passage Grave (N99697342)
 1.9km ENE 58° Dowth Passage Grave* Passage Grave (O02377377)
 2.6km ENE 63° Dowth Hall* Passage Grave
 2.7km ENE 74° Donore Mystery Mound Artificial Mound (O0334573550)
 3.0km ENE 62° Dowth Henge* Henge (O034742)
 3.3km NNE 27° Townleyhall Passage Tomb* Passage Grave (O0222075723)
 5.3km WNW 298° Hill of Slane* Artificial Mound
 5.5km ENE 61° Oldbridge Logboat, River Boyne Not Known (by us)
 8.5km ENE 77° Millmount* Artificial Mound
 9.6km NW 322° Grangegeeth Sculptured Stone
 10.0km NNE 23° Muiredach's Cross (Monasterboice)* Ancient Cross (O044820)
 10.8km N 360° Tinure* Rock Art (O005835)
 13.3km SSW 212° Rath Lugh* Promontory Fort / Cliff Castle (N939613)
 13.3km SW 214° Lismullin Henge Henge (N93426156)
 13.6km SE 133° Greenanstown Stone Circle (O110637)
 13.6km SE 136° Micknanstown* Passage Grave
 14.7km SE 138° Fourknocks* Passage Grave (O10856202)
 14.7km ENE 70° Baltray* Standing Stones
 15.2km S 177° Kilbrew Henge
 15.4km WSW 253° Donaghmore Stone Circle (N860680)
 15.5km SW 215° Blocc and Bluigne* Standing Stones (N9206359823)
View more nearby sites and additional images

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Newgrange and the Bend of the Boyne

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There is more between heaven and earth by Victor Reijs
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"Newgrange" | Login/Create an Account | 74 News and Comments
  
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Re: Newgrange by Runemage on Wednesday, 08 November 2023
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Prof MJ O 'Kellys original drawings are now available from Heritage Ireland
twitter.com/hashtag/HeritageIreland2030?src=hashta.g_40click
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Newgrange featured in Wonders of the Moon with Dara OBriain by AngieLake on Wednesday, 02 August 2023
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This programme, Part 1 of two, on Channel 5 (UK TV station) at 9.00pm on Tuesday 1st August 2023 featured Newgrange. Not sure if it will be repeated soon, but I'd love to watch it properly, as I was on the phone while it was on! (An unexpected call from an old and dear friend, so not possible to put off.)
The second part is on as I type this. [9.20pm on 2nd August]
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Newgrange featured in Wonders of the Moon with Dara OBriain by GaelicLaird on Thursday, 03 August 2023
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    Both episodes are available to view on the My5 online player app or at http://www.channel5.com (UK only).

    I used a VPN and watched from Ireland without any problem.

    It's a good show, worth a view.
    [ Reply to This ]

Live streaming of the Winter Solstice on the following page at 08:45 UTC on the 20th, by Andy B on Sunday, 19 December 2021
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Live streaming of the Winter Solstice on the following page at 08:45 UTC on the 20th, 21st and 22nd of December.

More info here:
https://www.gov.ie/en/news/ce616-winter-solstice-at-newgrange-2021/

With thanks to GaelicLaird for the link.
[ Reply to This ]

Shadow Casting Phenomena at Newgrange - Frank Prendergast by Andy B on Saturday, 24 April 2021
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Shadow Casting Phenomena at Newgrange - Frank Prendergast, Technological University Dublin
Prendergast, F. T. 1991. “Shadow Casting Phenomena at Newgrange.” Survey Ireland 9: 9–18.
Abstract

A digital model of the Newgrange passage tomb and surrounding ring of monoliths known as the Great Circle is used to investigate sunrise shadow casting phenomena at the monument. Diurnal variation in shadow directions and lengths are analysed for their potential use in the Bronze Age to indicate the passage of seasonal time. Computer-aided simulations are developed from a photogrammetric survey to accurately show how three of the largest monoliths, located closest to the tomb entrance and archaeologically coded GC1, GC-1 and GC-2, cast their shadows onto the vertical face of the entrance kerbstone, coded K1. The phenomena occur at astronomically interesting declinations, consistent with possible seasonal observance of the rising Sun at key dates in the Bronze Age when the Great Circle was constructed. The analysis further shows how the dominant three-spiral motif on K1 is repeatedly targeted by shadow casting on these dates, making this artistically elaborate motif focal. This could indicate the positioning of GC1, GC-1 and GC-2 enabled users in the prehistoric past to predict and mark seasonally different periods of ceremonial or ritual importance. The investigation further reveals that GC3 casts a shadow onto the base of GC5 on dates which are compatible with the proposed low-precision calendrical model. The cycle of shadow casting is considered to commence and end at winter solstice. Recorded site photography verifies the computer simulations and provides visualisations for archaeological record.

https://arrow.tudublin.ie/arastart/10/
or
https://arrow.tudublin.ie/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1015&context=arastart
or
https://doi.org/10.21427/eebc-6q69
[ Reply to This ]
    Ancient Astronomical Alignments: Fact or Fiction? - Frank Prendergast by Andy B on Saturday, 24 April 2021
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    Ancient Astronomical Alignments: Fact or Fiction? - Frank Prendergast, Technological University Dublin
    Archaelology Ireland, Vol.16, no.2, 60, Summer 2002, pp.32-35.

    https://arrow.tudublin.ie/arastart/2/
    or
    https://arrow.tudublin.ie/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1002&context=arastart
    or
    http://www.jstor.org/stable/20562589
    [ Reply to This ]
    Book Review: Robert Hensey, First Light: The Origins of Newgrange by Andy B on Saturday, 24 April 2021
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    Book Reviews: Robert Hensey, First Light: The Origins of Newgrange. Oxford: Oxbow Books, Series: Oxbow Insights in Archaeology, 2015
    Frank Prendergast, Technological University Dublin
    Journal of Skyscape Archaeology 2016, 2(1):121–124

    https://arrow.tudublin.ie/arastart/3/
    or
    https://arrow.tudublin.ie/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=arastart
    or
    https://journals.equinoxpub.com/index.php/JSA/article/view/28560/html
    [ Reply to This ]
    Facing the Sun, Frank Prendergast et al by Andy B on Saturday, 24 April 2021
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    December 2017 marked 50 years since archaeologist Michael J. O’Kelly first observed the solar illumination of the burial chamber in the Neolithic passage tomb at Newgrange during the period of the winter solstice. O’Kelly subsequently recorded direct sunlight entering Newgrange through the ‘especially contrived slit which lies under the roof-box at the outer end of the passage roof’ on 21 December 1969. The discovery of this historic phenomenon, dating back over 5,000 years, captured the public interest and imagination at that time and ever since. In this major article published in the Winter 2017 edition of Archaeology Ireland (date of publication 4 December), leading experts in this field, Frank Prendergast, Muiris O’Sullivan, Ken Williams and Gabriel Cooney, ask (and try to answer):

    Why were solstitial orientations and, in a few cases, orientations close to sunrise and sunset around the periods of the equinoxes incorporated into passage tomb architecture?

    Drawing on archaeoastronomy and archaeology, and examining the seasonally changing skyscape, the authors consider solstitial alignments in Irish passage tombs, including Newgrange, Dowth, Loughcrew (Co. Meath) and Townley Hall (Co. Louth), and feature evidence from a number of other sites, such as Slieve Gullion (Co. Armagh), Thomastown (Co. Meath) and Knockroe (Co. Kilkenny). The article features stunning images from renowned photographer Ken Williams and an introduction to archaeoastronomy and cultural astronomy.

    https://arrow.tudublin.ie/arastart/5/
    or
    https://arrow.tudublin.ie/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1008&context=arastart
    [ Reply to This ]

Newgrange Winter Solstice 2020 to be Livestreamed by Runemage on Sunday, 06 December 2020
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Here are the details of the broadcast, can someone tell the Irish Post they've used a photo of the interior of Knowth in the article please.
https://www.irishpost.com/news/newgrange-monuments-magical-winter-solstice-to-be-live-streamed-across-the-world-199246

Newgrange interior https://www.megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=a312&file=index&do=showpic&pid=117392

Knowth interior https://www.megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=a312&file=index&do=showpic&pid=15663
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Re: Newgrange by 6A44NNx on Thursday, 08 October 2020
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For the past while I have been studying [as a hobby],the sites of Knowth,Dowth,Newgrange and Cairn T over at Loughcrew.
As a remote viewer on the web,using the wealth of info available,photos etc and the books of the excavators/renorvators of these tombs.
The results of this study,point to the engraved Kerbstones etc as being hieroglyphic rather than petroglyphic.
The passage of Newgrange was I propose, built to align with the approx -28 declination full moon rise,nearest mid winter solstice...….
Read more on a free PDF at

https://enigmaatlas.wordpress.com/Newgrange Speaks.
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Re: Evidence found at Newgrange for in-breeding of the Kings of Ireland by AngieLake on Wednesday, 17 June 2020
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This article in D.Mail online today also has some great photos of Newgrange:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8431929/Irelands-ancient-kings-married-sisters-fathered-inbred-children-maintain-dynasty.html

[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Evidence found at Newgrange for in-breeding of the Kings of Ireland by davidmorgan on Wednesday, 17 June 2020
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    Also at the BBC - DNA study reveals Ireland's age of 'god-kings'.

    Nice photos by Ken Williams.
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: Evidence found at Newgrange for in-breeding of the Kings of Ireland by Runemage on Wednesday, 17 June 2020
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    The study is published in the Journal Nature 17 June 2020
    Incest uncovered at the elite prehistoric Newgrange monument in Ireland

    Abstract
    The nature and distribution of political power in Europe during the Neolithic era remains poorly understood1. During this period, many societies began to invest heavily in building monuments, which suggests an increase in social organization. The scale and sophistication of megalithic architecture along the Atlantic seaboard, culminating in the great passage tomb complexes, is particularly impressive2. Although co-operative ideology has often been emphasised as a driver of megalith construction1, the human expenditure required to erect the largest monuments has led some researchers to emphasize hierarchy3—of which the most extreme case is a small elite marshalling the labour of the masses. Here we present evidence that a social stratum of this type was established during the Neolithic period in Ireland. We sampled 44 whole genomes, among which we identify the adult son of a first-degree incestuous union from remains that were discovered within the most elaborate recess of the Newgrange passage tomb. Socially sanctioned matings of this nature are very rare, and are documented almost exclusively among politico-religious elites4—specifically within polygynous and patrilineal royal families that are headed by god-kings5,6. We identify relatives of this individual within two other major complexes of passage tombs 150 km to the west of Newgrange, as well as dietary differences and fine-scale haplotypic structure (which is unprecedented in resolution for a prehistoric population) between passage tomb samples and the larger dataset, which together imply hierarchy. This elite emerged against a backdrop of rapid maritime colonization that displaced a unique Mesolithic isolate population, although we also detected rare Irish hunter-gatherer introgression within the Neolithic population.
    More https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2378-6 and at https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-01655-4
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Newgrange by ModernExplorers on Thursday, 19 December 2019
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We filmed here on our megalithic tour of Ireland in 2019 if you would like to see some footage of the site

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Newgrange UCD archaeologists discover almost 40 new monuments at Brú na Bóinne by Runemage on Saturday, 10 August 2019
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"A team from University College Dublin have unearth almost 40 previously unknown monuments close to Newgrange, including a "spectacular" monument that aligns with the Winter Solstice sunrise.
The findings likely range from the Neolithic period (4000 BC), through the Bronze Age (2500 BC), and the early Middle Ages.
The monument aligned with the Winter Solstice sunrise is believed to be around 200 - 300 years newer than the Stone Age passage tomb at Newgrange, dated around 3200 BC, and was discovered in a field just metres from the famous site."


More information http://www.ucd.ie/newsandopinion/news/2019/august/8/newgrangeucdarchaeologistsdiscoveralmost40newmonumentsatbrunaboinne/
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Newgrange by Runemage on Saturday, 05 May 2018
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Street View



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Re: Newgrange from the air by Kustur on Tuesday, 09 January 2018
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https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4714/24733480777_5f481b6ccb_m.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4666/39571926442_80210eb6ab_m.jpg

[ Reply to This ]

Winter Solstice Live from Newgrange 8.30-9.15am, 20th/21st December on YouTube by Andy B on Monday, 18 December 2017
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Watch the Winter Solstice LIVE from Newgrange 8.30-9.15am on December 20th & 21st,on YouTube - from your home, office, laptop, tablet or phone! This year, you too can feel the excitement as people gather at this world heritage site. Experience the wonder, as out of the morning’s darkness a single ray of light illuminates the passage tomb on the shortest day of the year, marking the end of winter and the start of new life. A few moments of magic…5,000 years in the making!

More details at
https://www.irelandsancienteast.com/

or go straight to
https://www.youtube.com/irelandsancienteast

With thanks to John T for the link.
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The simulacra and simulations of Irish Neolithic passage tombs by Andrew Cochrane by Andy B on Wednesday, 30 November 2016
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The simulacra and simulations of Irish Neolithic passage tombs by Andrew Cochrane

https://www.academia.edu/522436/ (Free login required)
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Half hour programme about Newgrange from RTE by Andy B on Wednesday, 07 September 2016
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Nationwide - a half hour programme from RTE about Newgrange

Mary Kennedy visits the spectacular Newgrange monument in County Meath.
Includes film of the summer solstice and some of the winners of the lottery to be in the chamber at the solstice.
RTE archive film from the 1960s including Professor Michael J. O'Kelly who excavated and restored Newgrange
An interview with Elizabeth Shee Twohig
A look at the latest theories with Robert Hensey, the first construction on the site was a 40m diameter turf mound, and that the roof box and outer section of the passage was a later extension to the site
Film from 1952 showing the unrestored site.

Available Until: Monday 14 January 2019
Broadcast Wed 20 Apr 2016
Duration 24mins

http://www.rte.ie/player/gb/show/nationwide-21/10562651/
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Newgrange On BBC4's 'Great Irish Journeys' by AngieLake on Thursday, 09 April 2015
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Newgrange was featured in this programme on BBC 4 tonight (Weds 8th April) on UK TV.
This week's episode (3rd of 4) was about 'Places of power in Ireland'.

"Martha Kearney walks in the footsteps of a 19th-century artist and geologist who spent his life charting the landscape, people and buildings of Ireland. She retraces the journey of Georges Victor Du Noyer whose 35-year odyssey left a unique record of how Ireland looked during a period of great change."

"This week Martha examines places of power in Ireland as seen through Du Noyer's eyes. She traces the movement of power from Newgrange, through the Rock of Cashel, sees the magnificent Waterford Charter Roll, and ends up at the sumptuous Castletown House."

See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05nyhq4
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Newgrange, images through the ages by Runemage on Monday, 02 June 2014
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http://irisharchaeology.ie/2012/12/images-of-newgrange-through-the-ages/
Quite a nice selection for anyone wanting to see how it was recorded in recent history.
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Re: Newgrange by Anonymous on Friday, 16 May 2014
Greetings Guys,
The famous entrance stone in front of the passage has two spirals on the right, a form of dividing line then three spirals on the left. In common with many other Neolithic petroglyphs elsewhere I interpret these to be two celestial deities whose names equate to the Sunday and Moonday. The three spirals on the left are the equivalent of the deities Wodensday, Thorsday and Freyrday, a statement of the five day week. Inside the passage not far from the central chamber is the roof stone inscribed with rows of zigzags. Each apex point is a count of one, unity. Reading from left to right and from the top line down, the first line is a count of 16, the ancient Sun calendar months a year. Next below are 22 points, the days of Winter month. Next below is a line of 12 points, the twelfth day of Winter month, the solstice. All this is more fully described in Martin Brennan's Stars and Stones and my Stonehenge Sacred Symbolism. Enquire; Dr Neil L. Thomas.
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The Neolithic Monument of Newgrange in Ireland - a cosmic womb? by Andy B on Tuesday, 06 May 2014
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(from 2012 but better late than never!) Kate Prendergast writes: A collection of papers from a session on ‘Mother Earth’ sites was presented at the Fourteenth Annual Conference of the European Association of Archaeologists in Valetta, Malta, September 2008. The papers discuss the various forms of evidence from a wide range of ‘Mother Earth’ sites.

My paper - The Neolithic Monument of Newgrange in Ireland: a Cosmic Womb? - brings together astronomical, architectural, artistic and mythological evidence to argue that Newgrange should be seen as a womb-like sanctuary where the cycles of birth, death and rebirth were - and still are - celebrated, according to complex but robust and residual social and ritual logic. T

The papers are published in Archaeology of Mother Earth Sites and Sanctuaries Through the Ages: Rethinking symbols and images, art and artefacts from history and prehistory, Edited by G. Terence Meaden. Oxford BAR 2012. ISBN 9781407309811.
http://www.archaeopress.com/ArchaeopressShop/Public/defaultAll.asp?QuickSearch=9781407309811

Download my article: (PDF)
http://kateprendergast.typepad.com/files/newgrange_bar_12.pdf

View photos of the winter solstice event at Newgrange here:
http://kateprendergast.typepad.com/my_web/2009/12/winter-solstice-newgrange-2009.html

You can also see my article on Newgrange in Minerva magazine: (PDF)
http://www.minervamagazine.co.uk/archive_pdfs/2010_Vol_21_02.pdf

Source:
http://kateprendergast.typepad.com/my_web/2012/11/archaeology-of-mother-earth-sites-and-sanctuaries-through-the-ages-rethinking-symbols-and-images-art.html
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Images of Newgrange through the ages by bat400 on Wednesday, 06 November 2013
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The Neolithic passage tomb at Newgrange is the most visited archaeological site in Ireland. Over 5000 years old it pre-dates the first phase of Stonehenge by 1000 years and the Egyptian pyramids by 400 years. It is a truly massive structure measuring 76 m in diameter by 12 m in height and it contains over 200,000 tonnes of earth and stone in its fabric. Indeed, it’s glistening façade of quartz is one of the country’s most memorable vistas. However, as the images below attest, the monument has not always looked so pristine.

Thanks to jackdaw1 for this link with historic images of Newgrange, including one from 1699. For more, see /irisharchaeology.ie
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Re: Newgrange by cerrig on Saturday, 24 August 2013
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http://blog.mythicalireland.com/2013/08/rare-exquisite-drawings-of-newgrange.html
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Newgrange winter solstice sunrise live web stream by Andy B on Thursday, 20 December 2012
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Michael Fox writes:

The winter solstice sunrise event at Newgrange will be streamed live from 8.45am on Friday 21st December 2012 http://www.newgrange.com/webcast.htm

All are welcome to gather outside the entrance to Newgrange at sunrise on December 21st, 22nd and 23rd http://www.newgrange.com/news54.htm

Best Solstice Wishes from the Boyne Valley,

Michael Fox
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Re: Newgrange by davidmorgan on Sunday, 21 October 2012
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Street View -
View Larger Map
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Ground-breaking technology shows no second chamber at Newgrange by davidmorgan on Wednesday, 23 November 2011
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The technology used in an attempt to find out whether a second passage tomb, which may also be aligned with a solstice event, exists at Newgrange had proved its worth during experimentation by a Slovakian team of scientists who visited the Boyne Valley, an Irish archaeologist said this week.

Dr Conor Brady, archaeologist and lecturer at Dundalk Institute of Technology, who lives at Slane, said that while there would be no "dramatic announcements" about discovery of a second chamber at Newgrange at this stage, the microgravitational technology used in the experiments had proven valuable to archaeologists and scientists.

The possibility that Newgrange could have a second passage tomb, which may also be aligned with a solstice event, was being explored by a team of Irish and Slovakians archaeologists using ground-breaking technology.

Already part of the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site, Newgrange is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ireland and if a second chamber was uncovered it would add to its already global iconic status.

Newgrange is synonymous with sunrise on the winter solstice but the possibility that it has another as yet unknown chamber is not being ruled out.

Dr Brady said this week that while the weather conditions encountered by the team at Newgrange created difficulty in the use of the highly-sensitive equipment, it had nevertheless shown that "it works".

The purpose of the microgravitational equipment was to detect underground cavities. The microgravity meter responds to variations in density in the ground beneath it.

http://www.meathchronicle.ie/news/meatheast/articles/2011/11/09/4007577-groundbreaking-technology-shows-no-second-chamber-at-newgrange/

Submitted by coldrum.
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Re: Newgrange by tiompan on Wednesday, 26 October 2011
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Michael , What are the fatuous remarks you refer to ?

If Newgrange was 2,000 years older than Stonehenge it would be older than the oldest passage grave in Europe , sadly your figure has one zero too many ,it is only a couple of hundred of years older (based on RC dating ) .
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Re: Newgrange by Anonymous on Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Please inform yourself properly before making fatuous comments on Newgrange. The down-grading of Newgrange , the ancient home of Mac Ind Óc ) began a long time ago by other ill-informed people who could only believe that civilization could only have come to Ireland from Britain. This is now well-recognised as simplistic and indicates a Britain-centered view of the world. We, in Ireland, still suffer from this through many and varied media.
I invite you to come and visit sometime and become better informed.
Dr Michael Roberts
Cultural Anthropologist.
ps: New Grange is more that 2,000 years older than Stonehendge.
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    Re: Newgrange by 4clydesdale7 on Wednesday, 26 October 2011
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    Dr Michael Roberts - until I read your intolerant outburst I had not even heard of Newgrange -

    I needed to assess what all the fuss was about - it seems one thing has become clear throughout modern assessment of the site - there is no archaeological evidence of any burials having taken place at the site - thus terms like burial mound, grave or tomb seem to be misnomers - all that information came from Irish sites -

    I have no idea of the identity of the earlier anonymous contributor who seems to have 'got under your skin' - that person may not even be British let alone Welsh Scottish Irish or English - thus your prejudiced tirade seems inappropriate - anonymous he/she is entitled to be - he/she at least succeeded in remaining so (you, clearly, in your fit of pique got so upset you let your identity slip out) - anonymous is entitled to his/her view - I am sure your education leading to your description Cultural Anthropologist would have taught you the dangers of intolerance - perhaps you could recover your composure and save face by posting an open apology -
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    Re: Newgrange by Andy B on Wednesday, 26 October 2011
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    To: Dr Roberts, Anthony Weir, the author of this page is the author of the Early Ireland: Field Guide, one of the first books on ancient sites in Ireland, written in 1980, so he has witnessed the changes over many years I can assure you. He has also lived in Ireland for many years and is Irish as far as I know.
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Re: Newgrange by Anonymous on Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Newgrange was not a grave or burial mound. Myths and legends affirm it was the home of the Sun deity, hence the alignment of the passage to midwinter sunrise. The petroglyphs at the site and within the passage describe in detail the midwinter sunrise event, the eight days before, the solstice, the eight days following. A series of zigzag lines tally the numbers, one count per zig and zag change of direction. The ancients couldwrite and do arithmetic and geometry linked to archaeoastronomy.

Just because Classically educated archaeological scholars say it is a grave, one does not have to perpetuate an untruth.
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New Archaeological Survey Techniques at Newgrange by Andy B on Thursday, 20 October 2011
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A new high-tech archaeological survey been started at Newgrange (part of the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site) in Co. Meath in the week beginning Monday 17th October.

The key objective of the survey is to investigate whether there are any hidden passageways and chambers in Newgrange Passage Tomb and the survey team will be using some techniques not previously used on archaeological sites in Ireland.

Please note that there is no public access to the survey area.

One new technique is that of microgravity survey, which has successfully used in the pyramids in Egypt to identify the locations of passages and chambers. It is based on state-of-the-art precise recording of anomalies in the Earth's gravity field with the objective of detecting the responses of small-scale, sub-surface density inhomogeneities. Microgravity is a specialised method in archaeogeophysical prospection where it has been successful in the detection and description of shallow-lying cavities such, as crypts, chambers, tombs, cellars etc.

The work is being carried out by a specialist team from Comenius University and the
University of Technology from Bratislava, Slovakia in collaboration with Dundalk
Institute of Technology (DkIT), Landscape and Geophysical Services (LGS), the
National Monuments Service of the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht
(NMS) and the Office of Public Works (OPW).

Full details in the PDF file here
http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/media/NewgrangeSurvey.pdf
and see also
http://www.newgrange.com/news72.htm
who have most of the diagrams

I also learned that many Irish heritage sites including the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre (Newgrange and Knowth) and Dún Aonghasa have free admission on Wednesdays for 2011.

More here (PDF)
http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/media/Free%20Wednesdays.pdf
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    Re: New Archaeological Survey Techniques at Newgrange by Runemage on Friday, 21 October 2011
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    It will be very interesting to see their results, hope we don't have to wait too long.
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    Re: New Archaeological Survey Techniques at Newgrange by knowth on Sunday, 23 October 2011
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    Re: I also learned that many Irish heritage sites have free admission on Wednesdays for 2011.

    It is only on the 1st Wednesday of the month, so just 2 left 2nd November and 7th December.
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Re: Newgrange by Andy B on Thursday, 06 January 2011
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Seeing daybreak at 'Ireland's Stonehenge' [Hang your heads in shame for that headline BBC - MegP Ed]

On the morning of 21 December, a select group of people made their way through a dark, narrow passage and gathered in a small cross-shaped chamber at Newgrange in Co Meath, Irish Republic, to celebrate the winter solstice.

Newgrange, located 40km north of Dublin and perched high above a bend of the River Boyne, is a prehistoric passage tomb, covered on the outside by a large grassy mound.

At over 5,000 years old it is the older cousin of Stonehenge and it predates the pyramids by about 500 years.

It is difficult to estimate how long it would have taken to build it.

"They were a very sophisticated society with a sound economic base as they were able to divert a large number of people to the building of passage tombs," says archaeologist Professor George Eogan.

"The ritual of the dead was very important in their lives and the site combines engineering, architectural and artistic skills."

Shaft of light

Newgrange is unique because the builders aligned it with the rising sun.

Just after sunrise, at 0858GMT, on the shortest day of the year, the inner chamber is designed to flood with sunlight, which enters through a 25cm (9.9ins) high "roof box" above the passage entrance.
Newgrange Snow prevented light entering the chamber

Unfortunately this year heavy snow clouds prevented the sun from entering through the roof box.

Demand to attend the midwinter solstice is high and since 2000 it has been regulated by a lottery system. This year, more than 25,000 people applied but only a handful were selected to attend on 21 December and the days around the solstice.

The lucky winners - drawn by primary school children from three local schools - included people from Ireland, the US, England, Scotland, Sweden and the Czech Republic.

Danielle LaCava from Pittsburgh in the US was one of the lucky lottery winners and she travelled to Newgrange with her brother Chris.

"There was a lot of anticipation building up for what you hoped was going to happen. Even though we didn't see the sun it was still nice to be there."

When their flight from London was cancelled the LaCavas travelled by ferry and train to be there for the special event. Danielle would love to see the sun enter the chamber but thinks perhaps her luck had run out

"Maybe I'll put Chris's name in the lottery and see if he can win it now!"

The solstice phenomenon was discovered by archaeologist, Professor Michael J O'Kelly on 21 December 1967 during research on the site.

"He found the roof box when uncovering the roof chamber but wondered about its purpose," says his daughter Helen Watanabe O'Kelly.

Local people always said it was aligned to the sun but the measurements did not fit the summer solstice.
Sunlight entering the chamber at Newgrange. Photo courtesy of Con Brogan, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government And when it doesn't snow, this happens

"My mother, who worked closely with him, suggested that it might be connected with the winter solstice. And that was how he discovered it in 1967."

Ms O'Kelly recalls how she experienced it with him the following year.

"There were just the two of us. It was cold and dark - no razzmatazz, like you have now. I still remember sitting in the cold and we just waited.

"Suddenly this shaft of light came into the chamber and hit the back wall. I remember being quietly moved - it was like someone was speaking to you from thousands of years before. I still see it like a picture before my inner eye - it was a golden light."

Since the discovery of the winter solstice alignment, Newgrange has been developed as a major tourist attraction and was listed as a UNESCO Wo

Read the rest of this post...
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Re: Newgrange by Anonymous on Saturday, 20 November 2010
I don't know, Runemage, I don't think it's anything to do with trade; sure they'd lose less trade by a simple HGV ban than with a bypass. The problem with the HGV ban is the lack of a suitable alternate route; there's nowhere safe to send these lorries.

There will always be some provision for road building. Hopefully this will be seen as high priority, due to the fact that it is designed to save lives, not commuting time.
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Re: Newgrange by Anonymous on Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Believe me, Runemage, lots of people have said it was 500 metres from Newgrange! RTE erroneously reported it as such when the route was announced, and Vincent Salafia has been linking that report ever since, despite knowing full well that it's misleading. Any post which was posted to the Save Newgrange site clarifying that the proposed bypass would be 500 metres from the buffer zone around Bru na Boinne, rather than 500 metres from Newgrange, was deleted and the poster barred.

My understanding is that it is over 500 metres from the boundary of the buffer zone around Bru na Boinne.

The problem is that Slane desperately needs a bypass. I think most reasonable people agree on that. The difficulty is where to build it. This route was selected, after much investigation, as the one which was the least intrusive on heritage sites. 44 sites were found within 500 metres of the road. (This is a figure often quoted by Save Newgrange). However, what is less publicised is that of the 44 sites, all of them are outside the buffer zone, 34 sites will not be impacted at all, two will be impacted indirectly and 8 will be impacted directly. Of those 8, after mitigation some will actually be impacted positively (like the Old Slane-Dublin road),

The only site (and I grant you it's the major one) which will have any negative impact after mitigation is Bru na Boinne itself, and that is regarded as only an indirect visual impact which can be minimised by landscape planting.

The western route which is being championed by Save Newgrange would pass much closer to actual areas of heritage importance (a lot of the 44 sites are "possible" areas, which still doesn't change the fact that they will not be impacted upon). It seems heritage only counts when it suits an agenda. The western route will affect Slane Castle, Ladyswell, St. Erc's Hermitage, Dollardstown House, Stackallen House, etc. It would also be a much longer route which would obviously impinge, even just by virtue of its length, on many more sites.
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    Re: Newgrange by Runemage on Thursday, 18 November 2010
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    Apologies for the late reply.
    It is so wrong to mislead people with such misinformation.

    I don't know what the answer is, apart from in the short term banning HGV's through the town centre for a trial period to gauge *exactly* what impact that would have. Obviously it would be great for pedestrians but possibly not for trade, no-one has done that yet and often theories about the likely outcome aren't correct.

    Is any bypass likely to go ahead considering the country's latest financial problems?
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Re: Newgrange by Runemage on Wednesday, 10 November 2010
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No probs, I know what it's like :-) Also you're showing as an anonymous poster and some people deliberately post contentious comments under that banner.

The argument, protests and petitions in the cases of both Thornborough and Tara centered around the areas where the new development was going to take place. Everyone knew the monuments themselves wouldn't be touched but that the area surrounding them for a good few miles could and likely would contain archaeological evidence of the builders, the day to day stories of their existence and hopefully some clues as to why they built what they did. However, the protests/petitions etc. were dismissed as being from uninformed people who thought the monuments themselves would be bulldozed.

No-one is arguing that there is any danger to Newgrange, ( I agree, the campaign title is misleading ) What is being said is the same as at Tara and Thornborough. The land which will be excavated to build the road will doubtless contain archaeological finds which would tell us so much about the builders of the monuments, but there won't be time to do thorough investigations and the knowledge that has lain there for thousands of years will be lost because of the present generation's thoughtlessness and greed.

Looking at this map, http://www.vincentsalafia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/slaneaerialEIS.jpg it would seem highly likely, in view of the area of the proposed road, that significant archaeological sites would be discovered. Look at how many there already are in the vicinity. And there have been some recent discoveries, the souterrain in 2007 at Crewbane and October 2010 of a 'significantly large earthwork' near there. Source The Meath chronicle.

The 500 metres measurement, is that from the boundary of the World heritage site Buffer Zone?
The Irish Times is quoted in a comment above "However, it concedes that the new stretch of the N2 route would be “just over 500 metres from the Unesco World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne, comprising the three main prehistoric sites [of] Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth”, on the north bank of the Boyne."
So on that basis, no-one ever said it was 500 metres from the monument at Newgrange.

Truth and facts would indeed be a good thing.
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Re: Newgrange by Anonymous on Tuesday, 09 November 2010
Sorry, Runemage, I posted at the end of a very long day. My post should have read "Newgrange" rather than "Knowth". Here's what the Environmental Impact study says:

"It should be noted that the photomontage is taken from an elevated point on the main Newgrange monument. In practice visitors are not allowed walk on the monument so
this view would not normally be experienced. Therefore, combined with mitigation of obtrusive elements and screening of the main road corridor the development would
not detract from the pastoral image of the landscape from this ancient viewpoint. Night time impacts from lighting vehicles would be minor."

These photos (photomontage of the view from Newgrange before and after the bridge is built) are visible on the Facebook site Save Newgrange the Facts. Even anti-road protestors have stated that there is an error and the photos are the same, until the (extremely miniscule) view of the bridge is pointed out to them. It is practically invisible.

It's scaremongering and it's unfortunate. I totally agree with you that the facts should be brought to the attention of the wider public. The facts though - not deliberately misleading statements. For example - "Save Newgrange"? From what? Newgrange is not in any danger. Constant references to "500 metres from the site" or even "500 metres from Newgrange", rather than the truth which is that it is over 3.5 km away from Newgrange.

Signatories to the petition add comments such as "please don't bulldoze this site". Facts would be a good thing.
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Re: Newgrange by Anonymous on Monday, 01 November 2010
The EIS has stated that the impact on Newgrange of the new road in Slane will be minimal. The road will be 4 miles away (not 500 meters). Traffic will not be audible from Newgrange. The road will not be visible from Newgrange. It may be visible from Knowth, if you stand on top of the mound and use binoculars to look in the direction of Slane (which is obviously not allowed), and even then the visual impact is minimal (so minimal in fact that photographs of the "before" and "after" view show practically no difference, and members of Save Newgrange actually stated that they thought that two "before" photographs were printed, until the minor differences were pointed out).

The anti-bypass campaign is run by a professional road objector who has so far been involved in two failed campaigns, cost the Irish state millions, and has been described by a judge as not acting in the public interest.

Newgrange is an absolutely wonderful, treasured part of the Slane heritage. It will be here, untouched, after all of us have passed on. Enjoy it, and please don't have any fears for its future.
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    Re: Newgrange by Runemage on Monday, 01 November 2010
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    Last time I was at Knowth, a special area had been created on top of the mound for all visitors if they wanted to see the world from there.
    Has that now closed?

    The professional road objector to whom you refer is bringing the facts to the attention of the wider public, I'm sure lots of people with vested interests would prefer him to be silenced.

    How can people not be concerned about Newgrange's future after the farce at Tara?


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Newgrange - Access by Runemage on Friday, 23 April 2010
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Access to the visitor centre near Newgrange is a short walk from a large car-park. The visitor centre is the only place to purchase tickets for excursions to Newgrange or Newgrange and Knowth. There is a special room inside the visitor centre with a full size mock-up of one half of the entrance passage so anyone in a wheelchair, with poor mobility or claustrophobia can have some idea of what it's like.

There is no wheelchair access for disabled people to the monument itself.

Newgrange is accessed by a walk downhill from the visitor centre to the minibus stop. There's a short minibus ride, then a walk uphill to the monument. Then there are several steps to negotiate shown clearly here
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=a312&file=index&do=showpic&pid=23914
and the passage is narrow in places.
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Ex-attorney general among objectors to Slane bypass near prehistoric sites by Andy B on Thursday, 25 February 2010
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FORMER ATTORNEY general John Rogers SC, who lives in the Boyne valley, will be among the objectors to plans by Meath County Council and the National Roads Authority (NRA) to build a bypass of Slane 500 metres from the Brú na Bóinne archaeological complex.

Today is the last day for making submissions to An Bord Pleanála, which will adjudicate on the scheme under the 2006 Strategic Infrastructure Act.

Depending on the number of objections, the board may decide to hold an oral hearing.

The proposed route, running east of Slane, is being opposed by the newly formed Save Newgrange campaign, led by Vincent Salafia, who was prominent in the protracted struggle against the M3 motorway because of its proximity to the Hill of Tara.

Yesterday, Mr Salafia called on An Bord Pleanála to extend the deadline, arguing that the public notice was inadequate, that more time was needed by the public and that access to information on the project had been “unreasonably curtailed”.

He said Save Newgrange had lodged a formal complaint with the European Commission, alleging the public consultation process was “flawed” and calling on the commission to intervene so the deadline could be extended for 90 days.

The planned new section of the N2 is 3.5km long and would cross the river Boyne on a new bridge at a location 1.1km to the east of the existing Slane Bridge, which has been the scene of several traffic incidents involving heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).

The frequency and severity of these incidents have been reduced since 2002, when the county council introduced extra traffic signals and an overhead gantry on the steeper southbound approach to the bridge, to control HGVs.

It is estimated that some 1,600 HGVs pass through the centre of Slane village every day. The volume of such traffic on the N2 led local residents to campaign for a ban on HGVs in Slane, and this was adopted by the county council in April 2009.

The resolution was not implemented because of fears that it “could have serious consequences for Meath County Council in terms of possible legal exposure, delivery delays and business frustration”, according to director of services Eugene Cummins.

The environmental impact statement (EIS) on the bypass proposal says it would remove through-traffic from the existing N2 through Slane, improving the village’s environment as well as giving an “improved level of service” on the route.

However, it concedes that the new stretch of the N2 route would be “just over 500 metres from the Unesco World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne, comprising the three main prehistoric sites [of] Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth”, on the north bank of the Boyne.

“The assessment identified 44 archaeological and cultural heritage constraints within 500m of the route. Of these, five will be impacted directly, two will be impacted indirectly and 34 will have no predicted impact,” according to the EIS.

For the 10 sites that would be affected, the potential impact is rated as “potentially significant” for three, “moderate” for two, “slight” for another two and “no predicted impact” for one.

The remaining two are “areas of undetermined archaeological potential”.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0217/1224264628445.html
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Re: Newgrange by Anonymous on Friday, 29 January 2010
like most i tried to type in the worsd why not very observant of me for sure

further to newgrange i understood it was no longer considered a grave sight, but a birthing place. considering the three depresions in the floor (to retain the after birth and considering the shinning of venus the morning stars light at the the time of solstice, thru the lintal down the passage and onto the menhir at three distinct positions (trimesters) . the old celts passed along the name of there recent dead at the birth , its still done in some parts hey im no scholler but that seems right to me rather than dumping the dead to rot

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Re: No solstice sun at Newgrange in 2009 by Anonymous on Monday, 25 January 2010
It's Tara all over again. The Irish government has some answering to do come the revolution. Their disregard for their magical heritage is disgusting - truly disgusting.
I have no more energy left to fight this one - in the physical sense. It is time for the next generation of protectors. So come forth army of preservation and knowledge - fight for your right to have your heritage protected and respected.

Raise up yourself Ireland and defend your sacred sites.
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    Re: No solstice sun at Newgrange in 2009 by coldrum on Monday, 25 January 2010
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    Have to agree about no more energy to fight. I tried to make constructive arguments against the bypass on a site and kept getting some person go on and on about the amount of deaths on this stretch of road.
    I'm not trivilizing the accidents by the way but unfortunatly accidents like this occur all over the country and there are places with a much worse accident record.
    Something should be done but it seems that the easiest option is to build more roads.
    I'm pretty much at low ebb at the moment and the more I look around at the problems in this world the more depressed I get. I feel totally helpless and any-thing I do say is rejected and I'm mocked and considered stupid.
    I do care but I can not do any-thing to change things.
    Maybe there is someone stronger out there. I do hope so.
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    Re: No solstice sun at Newgrange in 2009 by Anonymous on Tuesday, 26 January 2010
    Be strong Coldrum - your thoughts are listened to, respected and acknowledged. Granted - everywhere you look at present there is misery, no justice (just us) and greed. The only way to change this is to get stuck in. Take a breather, focus your remaining energies and come back fighting.

    Don't get depressed dude. It leads to a dark and lonely place. Life is too short.

    Feel the sun, smell the flowers and hug the trees - we are alive !!

    Guybongo
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Formation of 'Save Newgrange' group by Andy B on Sunday, 24 January 2010
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We've gone ahead and set up a mailing list and facebook group for those people who want to form a campaign to save the Bend of the Boyne World Heritage site from the N2 Slane Bypass. Breaking news yesterday even got picked up by USA today, so there is great interest out there. And with An Taisce already bending over, so to speak, to accommodate this development, and others busy with Bremore, it looks like there is nobody else going to do it if we don't get things rolling. Personally, I can barely face the thought of Another campaign, but I know others will have the energy to build this up. For catchiness, its simply called Save Newgrange:

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=438725795435&ref=mf

Yahoogroups:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/savenewgrange/

The preferred route for the N2 Slane Bypass, County Meath, Ireland, announced in January 2010 by the National Roads Authority, runs 500 metres from the edge of the Bend of the Boyne UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to the World Heritage Committee: "The three main prehistoric sites of the Brú na Bóinne Complex, Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, are situated on the north bank of the River Boyne 50 km north of Dublin. This is Europe's largest and most important concentration of prehistoric megalithic art. The monuments there had social, economic, religious and funerary functions. The Committee inscribed the site under criteria (i), (iii) and (iv) and invited the Irish authorities to control carefully future developments in and around the site and to involve ICOMOS in conservation and management planning."

We are working on a draft petition. If anyone has suggestions, please let us know.

Cheers,

Vincent

With thanks to Runemage for the news
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Slane bypass would run close to Newgrange (500m) by Andy B on Sunday, 24 January 2010
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Slane bypass would run close to Newgrange

The National Roads Authority has given details of plans for the new Slane bypass, which would be built 500m from the World Heritage Site at Newgrange.

While the plan has been welcomed locally, it is expected that there will be controversy.

The bridge and the road through the village of Slane, Co Meath, is one of the most dangerous stretches of roads in Ireland.

Over 20 people have been killed in accidents and locals have long campaigned for a bypass around the village.

The NRA is proposing to build the route down river of the present bridge and to the east of the village.

The proposed bypass will be 500m away from the buffer-zone around the World Heritage Site at Brú na Bóinne, which comprises the ancient megalithic tombs at Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth.

It will also impact on the museum dedicated to Ireland's most famous World War I poet, Francis Ledwidge, who came from Slane.

The Environmental Impact Statement for the project acknowledges that 44 archaeological sites will be within 500m of the roadway and that the potential to uncover much more during work is high.

While there will be a visual impact from the river, the Environmental Impact Statement says there will be negligible impact on the site.

Source:
http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0121/slane.html
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    Re: Slane bypass would run close to Newgrange (500m) by Anonymous on Monday, 22 February 2010
    This is a common mistake. The road will be 3.5 kilometres (more than 2 miles) away from Newgrange and will not be audible or visible from Newgrange. It is not 500 metres away. There is an exclusion zone or buffer zone around the Bru Na Boinne site which Unesco put in place to protect the core area. The proposed road is outside that buffer zone. The road is 3.5 kilometres in length and is necessary to prevent serious accidents in nearby Slane village by bypassing Slane.

    Of the 44 archaeological sites within 500 metres of the roadway, 34 will be unaffected. Of the remaining 10, 2 will be impacted positively (such as Ledwidge cottage which will be untouched but will have improved access), three may or may not contain items of archaeological interest, and the remainder are minor archaeological sites such as a gate and a pillbox.

    This road is vital to protect lives. The route is regarded by An Taisce as the best possible route. It is unfortunate that there is such misinformation about it.

    The RTE news link which you have posted has been recognised as being erroneous.
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No solstice sun at Newgrange in 2009 by Andy B on Friday, 01 January 2010
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The sun failed to shine on the shortest day of the year, as 'dawn watchers' inside the megalithic tomb at Newgrange waited as morning broke.

The phenomenon of light entering the passage tomb did not materialise on Monday, but glorious sunshine on Saturday, Sunday and again yesterday (Tuesday) meant that 'dawn watchers' on those mornings saw the magnificent sight of light entering the tomb to mark the winter solstice.

Over 100 people flocked to Newgrange on Monday morning and waited for dawn to break over the megalithic site. These included a woman who was celebrating her 80th birthday and wanted to spend it at Newgrange for the solstice.

Inside the tomb, invited guests included De Ed Krupp of Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, a renowned arhaeological astronomer; John Jameson of the International Council for Monuments and Sites, and OPW Minister, Martin Mansergh.

According to Bru na Boinne visitor centre manager, Clare Tuffy, they knew before they entered the tomb on Monday that it was unlikely anything would happen because of the heavy bank of cloud on the horizon, but there was still a wonderful atmosphere.

An attempt to recreate the Solstice phenomenon at Newgrange was made by student archaeologists on Thursday morning.

They had built a replica of the megalithic tomb to see if they could create a lightbox that would allow light into the chamber at dawn.

Cloud cover meant that light didn't enter either the recreated tomb or the original monument on that morning.

However, the students were pleased with the experiment, which will be broadcast on RTE's 'Nationwide' programme on 7th January.

Meanwhile, 52 people who won a place in the tomb at Newgrange in a raffle earlier this year joined the 'dawn watch' this year.

Among the lottery winners who were in the tomb on Saturday morning to see a brilliant sunrise was a US college lecturer and a young boy from Northern Ireland.

On Sunday, visitors from France, Switzerland, Sweden, the US and England were among those in the tomb and, on Tuesday, the early risers included a young girl from the US.

The names of the winners were drawn from 32,995 entries by children from Slane, Knockcommon and Donore National Schools last September.

Source:
http://www.meathchronicle.ie/news/roundup/articles/2009/12/23/3993695
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Research boost for Bru na Boinne complex by coldrum on Monday, 02 February 2009
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Research boost for Bru na Boinne complex

A WIDE-RANGING new research project has been devised with the aim of developing a multidisciplinary approach to the study of one of Ireland's major archaeological landscapes.

The Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site Research Framework, which is being co-ordinated by Dr Jessica Smyth of the Heritage Council, is following in the steps already taken by other world heritage sites.

These include Stonehenge and Avebury in Wiltshire and the world heritage site most similar to Newgrange, the prehistoric complexes at Orkney in Scotland, which consist of eight individual monuments scattered throughout the island archipelago.

Central to the Brú na Bóinne study is the continuity of settlement in the landscape which spans from the early Stone Age to the present. Some 93 sites and monuments have to date been formally recorded, yet archaeologists believe there are many more sub-surface sites that could be identified through new technology.

Archaeologists are still uncertain as to the precise construction date of Newgrange itself.

Most of the accepted data is now open to further examination using new dating technologies. Archaeological material stored for more than 40 years could now offer further answers.

Excavations carried out by Prof MJ O'Kelly during the 1970s, and later by Dr Ann Lynch in the 1980s, confirms the presence of an earlier burial mound at Newgrange. Although samples of this structure were gathered by Dr Lynch, they were never dated. Improved technology could finally offer conclusive evidence as to the age of this monument.

Archaeologist Dr Geraldine Stout, who has spent 30 years studying the Boyne Valley, speaking at Newgrange yesterday, said: "This research framework strategy is setting out a plan for all future archaeological work in the Boyne Valley whether it is development led or university led."

Pioneering excavations have been carried out in the Boyne Valley for more than 40 years led by Prof George Eogan of UCD and the late Prof O'Kelly of UCC.

These excavations established the international significance of this area. Polymath Frank Mitchell of Trinity College first encouraged the young George Eogan to investigate a souterrain and small passage tomb at Townley Hall.

Prof Eogan then moved on to begin his life's work at Knowth and yet another of his Knowth publications was published last month by the Royal Irish Academy.

Advances in technology and its impact of related disciplines such as geology, geomorphology and astronomy are introducing major new research aids to archaeology.

Geophysical surveying carries huge advances in that it is relatively inexpensive, quick and can reveal extensive hidden material without causing surface damage. It has effectively reduced the need for invasive excavation.

"We have to work," said Dr Stout, "with scientists in the future. Archaeology is a science and is related to other sciences."

Following Prof O'Kelly's discovery of the solstice phenomenon in the early 1970s, Newgrange became famous. The Brú na Bóinne complex covers more than 3,300 hectares. "It is a huge area" said Dr Smyth, "there must be extensive sites and material out there waiting to be discovered and studied."

The document is now on the Heritage Council website (http://www.heritagecouncil.ie). A deadline for submissions on it has been set for January 12th.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/1222/1229728441778.html
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Newgrange got new lease of light and life in 1960s 'rebuild' by coldrum on Friday, 30 January 2009
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Newgrange got new lease of light and life in 1960s 'rebuild'

ON THE eve of the winter solstice celebration, several leading Irish archaeologists have discovered that a controversial reconstruction of Newgrange passage tomb four decades ago led to the accidental detection of its key feature – the roof box.

The box, a 25cm-high opening which captures the dawning sunlight on the shortest days of the year, was only found during the rebuilding, according to a new book by Boyne Valley archaeologists Geraldine and Matthew Stout.

Ironically, the rebuild of the tomb by the late Prof MJ O’Kelly of University College Cork might never have been permitted under today’s archaeological standards.

The rebuild involved some “liberties” with several key features – including the roof box, the authors note. However, examination of drawings and records kept by the Prof O’Kelly shows a “transparency” in the nature of his decision-making.

Built 1,000 years before Stonehenge, Newgrange was rediscovered 300 years ago but its full significance was only identified by Prof O’Kelly from the early 1960s. “I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t take on this dig. I feel that it will probably be very dull,” Prof O’Kelly is quoted as telling a colleague in 1961.

In fact, it was anything but, and in 1967 he made the first observation of the mid-winter “solstice phenomenon” which would make Newgrange the best-known of all the world’s megalithic tombs due to its alignment, the authors noted.

This was after the dismantling and replacing of the box under Prof O’Kelly between 1964 and 1967, during which slight changes turned it into a “narrow passage”.

The quartz wall surrounding the passage tomb which was erected between 1967 and 1974 was also based on Prof O’Kelly’s interpretation, rather than documentary evidence, the authors note. One Danish archaeologist has even questioned whether a quartz wall ever existed.

However, Ms Stout told The Irish Times yesterday Prof O’Kelly’s pioneering achievements in Newgrange outweighed any questionable aspects of the reconstruction.

He had shown conviction and courage in convincing the British establishment that Newgrange was older than Stonehenge, she said.

She also said he would be “delighted ” to know that the solstice event could be broadcast internationally via a live internet web stream – as is occurring at the chamber in Co Meath tomorrow.

The Office of Public Works is collaborating with the International Year of Astronomy 2009 based at NUI Galway to transmit the event.

The illumination of the passage tomb depends on the weather, but is timed for 08.58 Greenwich mean time tomorrow. A live stream will be available free of charge on the Heritage Ireland website, http://www.heritageireland.ie and at http://www.astronomy2009.ie .

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2008/1220/1229728408895.html
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Re: Newgrange Winter Solstice Webcast - 2008 by Mythical_Ireland on Friday, 19 December 2008
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Information about the 2008 webcast from Newgrange, plus a link to the webcast:

Mythical Ireland Newgrange webcast page
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Re: Newgrange Winter Solstice Webcast - 2008 by Anonymous on Monday, 15 December 2008
I too had the wonderrful opportunity to visit this sacred site. I was awe struck as I made my way to the rear of the chamber knowing that 5000 yrs ago early people made this same journey. Ireland is truely lucky to have such a cherished site and preserve it as best they can. If this were in America, I imagine that McDonalds or Walmart would be allowed to be built right on top of it. I know because I live in USA and our mind set is to tear down and rebuild to make it compliant to fire codes, building codes, handicapped assessable, toilets close and all that crap so our fat asses are not inconvenienced.
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Newgrange Winter Solstice Webcast - 2008 by Andy B on Sunday, 14 December 2008
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Michael Fox writes:
The 2008 Winter Solstice illumination at Newgrange will be streamed live on
the internet on Sunday the 21st December from 8.30am until 9.30am.

Click on http://www.newgrange.com/webcast_08.htm for more information.

Access to the chamber at Newgrange has been decided by lottery, however all
are welcome to gather outside the entrance to the mound on each of the
mornings from December 18th to December 23rd inclusive. Sunrise is at
8.58am.

On Solstice Sunday the 21st of December there is a free concert at 3.00pm in
the Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre featuring The Tredagh Singers from
Drogheda, all are welcome.

Happy Winter Solstice

Michael@Newgrange.com
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National Geographic Newgrange Video Link by coldrum on Tuesday, 11 March 2008
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http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/places/culture-places/historical/ireland_newgrange.html
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Crowds gather for Newgrange Solstice by coldrum on Wednesday, 17 January 2007
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One of the most mysterious sites of ancient Ireland will this morning attract devotees keen to observe the first light of the Winter Solstice.

Thousands are believed to have applied for permission to witness the first rays of light creep through the ancient monument at Newgrange, but only a handful are lucky enough to have been allowed access to the structure’s main chamber.

Many more are expected to gather near the Co Meath site to mark the shortest day of the year.

The world famous monument is believed to date from around 3200 B.C, making it 500 years older than the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt and a thousand years older than England’s Stonehenge.

Archaeologists believe the grass-covered mound is a "passage tomb".

This refers to a passage running to a cave-like chamber, where the remains of the dead were placed.

The site attracts large numbers of visitors each year from around the globe

http://www.breakingnews.ie/2006/12/21/story290234.html
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Island of the Setting Sun - In Search of Ireland's Ancient Astronomers by coldrum on Wednesday, 17 January 2007
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You've seen the website - now get the book. The comprehensive account of the ancient astronomers who built the remarkable megalithic monuments and left a vast astronomical legacy in their myths and stones.

330 pps approx, in full colour. Lavishly illustrated. Published by The Liffey Press.

OVER five thousand years ago a most sophisticated and enigmatic community of people began to arise on the island of Ireland. They were the megalithic builders of the Stone Age, cunning engineers and master astronomers who systematically assembled a vast calendrical and astronomical scheme which would stand intact over five millennia. Today, the individual monuments which each form a part of that complicated astronomical assembly lie decaying in the landscape, straddling the Boyne river, which in ancient times was named after the Milky Way galaxy and was considered its earthly equivalent. Archaeologists have been probing individual sites over the last fifty years, and have been revealing intriguing information, carvings, artefacts and dating material which, as well as answering many questions, pose even more about the purpose and genesis of these great monuments. Perhaps more importantly, some of the ancient stone sites continue to function more than five millennia after they were constructed, with famous examples, such as Newgrange and Dowth, featuring alignments to the winter solstice sun.

In Island of the Setting Sun, a greater story of their genesis can finally be told. As these sites awaken from the slumber of five thousand years, we can more definitively describe their true purpose – to track time, vast periods of time, to bring the sky down on to the ground in a grand astronomical scheme.

The authors’ exploration of the sky-ground system is taken from an array of perspectives, most notably through the ancient stories about these places – some of which may be as ancient as the sites themselves. Within the complex layers of myth, folklore and placename stories lies a concealed astronomical language. Interpreting these coded cosmological messages, the authors have found that together the landscape, the astronomy and the myth reveal the true intent of the megalithic master builders of a time when giants were said to rule the land.

In this lavishly illustrated book, many disparate ideas and connections are explored, including the invasion myths of Ireland; the link between the ancient astronomers and St Patrick; the “pleasant plain” among the stars; the exciting rediscovery of “Ireland’s Stonehenge”; the true inspiration behind Newgrange’s white quartz façade; the many faces of the “sword-wielding giant” that is Orion; the migratory patterns of whooper swans; the female reproductive system and its importance to the mound-builders; the eight-year moon-Venus cycle; and a plethora of stories about such things as un-derwater spears, giant hounds, tragic drownings, cruel murders, vast battles, strange animals and the Irish cyclops. In short, Island of the Setting Sun provides a revision of how we look at prehistory in Ireland.

“Who but I knows the place where the sun sets? Who but I knows the ages of the moon? What land is better than this island of the setting sun?” – Amergin, astronomer and poet, 1694 BC

Island of the Setting Sun can be purchased for the introductory price of €25 (List price €29.95) from The Liffey Press by visiting this page:


theliffeypress.
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Newgrange Winter Solstice Lottery by Anonymous on Saturday, 18 November 2006
The 2006 Winter Solstice Draw took place on the 29th of September, there were 27,485 applications. Application forms are now available at the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre for the 2007 Winter Solstice Draw.

Admission to the chamber of the tomb at Newgrange for the Winter Solstice sunrise is by lottery, application forms to witness what surely must be the world's oldest calendar clock, are available at the reception desk in the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre.

At the end of September each year, 50 names are drawn by local school children, 10 names for each morning the chamber is illuminated, 2 places in the chamber are awarded to each of the names drawn. A reserve list is also drawn, some of the names drawn on the prime list may be peole from distant lands and unable to travel to Ireland for the winter solstice.

Application forms are available at the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre where there is a special post box for completed application forms.

There is no on-line application system, however the obliging Staff at the Visitor Centre will fill out a form on your behalf. e-mail your postal details and a contact telephone number to brunaboinne@opw.ie and they will complete an application form on your behalf.

More, with loys of photos and other information at Knowth.com
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Re: Newgrange - photo gallery by Anonymous on Tuesday, 27 January 2004
A new selection of photographs from inside Newgrange is now on the web at:
Link to photos
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Re: Newgrange by Anonymous on Wednesday, 07 May 2003
I cannot believe the sneering commentary by Antony Weir regarding Newgrange. (What, insufficient phallic symbols to satisfy your prehistoric penis envy, Antony?)

You don't have to have poetic insight to be absolutely astounded and awed by the passage grave at Newgrange - or by its enclosure in 250,000 tonnes of layered rock and soil. Whatever one's attitude to the restoration of the white quartz rocks to the facade, the passage grave itself has had absoutely minimal restoration except for some timber supports added some decades ago to keep the narrow passage from collapsing in on itself. The grave lay open for 300 years after it was first excavated and has the historical graffiti to show for it. But no amount of incusion can detract from it's wondrous beauty. I visited Newgrange (and Knowth) again last week and was surprised and delighted that the public still have access to the burial chamber led by a well informed and concientious guide. The massive structures at Newgrange, Knowth, and Dowth, along with the many smaller graves and sites (many not yet excavated) are dwarfed by the landscape - some of the most fertile land in Ireland adjacent the Boyne river. This is best seen from on top of Knowth where many later settlements were built. The panoramic view of lush land, sparkling waters, and imposing sky is breath taking even today. Were I there 5000 years ago, I'd want to build a giant monument to its generousity, its beauty, its dependibility, and to cradle my dead parents and children in it. So would you.

It's best to visit the sites out of the high season (now is a good time) simply to avoid crowds of visitors. Newgrange and Knowth are very well managed and maintained as one would expect of such important and popular heritage sites (Dowth is not open to the public at present). The visitor center at Newgrange has an excellent exhibition of what life could have been like for our ancestors then. It is not entirely speculative.

If you prefer clabber to the knee and having the arse ripped out of your trousers on a ragged barbed wire fence then there are plenty of unmanaged megaliths to be found all over Ireland.

Michael Doherty
Rosemount,
Derry.
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    Re: Newgrange by eforrest25 on Friday, 19 December 2008
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    I wanted to put in my two cents worth to agree whole-heartedly with Michael on this. After reading Andrew Weir's comments about "Disneyfication" etc., I was all set to be totally put off by my visit to Newgrange. Instead, I found the Visitors Center to be far less intrusive than what exists at Stonehenge (okay -- the fountains at its front doors might be over the top but you cannot see anything of the center from the monument itself). I expect that Newgrange was well on its way to being "loved to death" before management of access. I also suspect that visiting in December just two weeks ago was the best thing I could have done, except for the unfortunate timing of Knowth being closed down for the season as of October 31. There were six people in my tour which was the last of the day just before sunset. The light was spectacular, peaceful, everyone was respectful, and considering that I had trudged up the steep hill to Cairn T at Loughcrew earlier in the day through a couple of inches of frost and snow on the ground (although worth every step, I might add), easy access to the wonderful interior of Newgrange was a pleasure after that. Moreover, our tour guide went out of her way to keep from offending anyone's belief systems, as well as avoiding archaeological dogma.
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: Newgrange by Anonymous on Wednesday, 07 January 2009
    I agree with Michael's comments. I first saw Newgrange in 1981 and found it an unforgettable experience. It was winter and raining hard but the mound was dry, I got no feeling of misguided restoration. Previous to that I had called into the archaeology dept. at UC Cork and was to my surprise entertained by Prof O'Kelly in person who spent the whole morning chatting about his work - a much-appreciated gesture to a visitor from New Zealand who dropped in "off the street". I felt the restoration was in good taste and sympathetic.
    Knowth was under reconstruction at the time and not open to the public. but I went to Dowth and was shown round by a student on site. The comparison was most interesting but I was saddened by the damage and lack of repair to the mound. It seems unbelievable that Dowth is still in the same neglected state as far as I can make out.
    On both sites I was the only visitor - something rare today. The tendency to turn archaeological sites into money-making tourism venues is deplorable but we have to live with it.
    Desmond Johnston New Zealand
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    Re: Newgrange by Anonymous on Wednesday, 27 January 2010
    Michael - Like your comments. I visited Newgrange in 1981 and 1984 from New Zealand before they became too popular. A memorable experience. (Knowth was under reconstruction so no access there). Before my first visit I called with Prof. O'Kelly and he spent a couple of hours talking to me about his great passion. Since then I have been involved in adult education in NZ and have run a number of courses on the megalithic era, esp. in Ireland. (Have got a few postcards from folk who visited the Boyne monuments in consequence - all satisfied customers!) Can't wait to get back - when the lottery comes up!
    Interesting to see "Rosemount" under your name - I lived in de Burg Tce. in the 50's.
    I can't quite understand the criticism so often voiced about the quartz wall. Critics should read O'Kelly's book first.
    Desmond Johnston.
    Napier
    New Zealand.
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Newgrange - Winter solstice sunrise - 2002 by Anonymous on Monday, 23 December 2002
Technically the winter solstice in Ireland this year was on the 22nd of December, the morning didn't look promising with overcast conditions, however the sun burst through the clouds just in time to illuminate the passage and chamber at Newgrange and promptly disappeared again.




Slán,


Michael
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Re: Newgrange by Anonymous on Friday, 02 November 2001
I will never cease to be amazed at reactions from people visiting Newgrange. It is truly an awe- inspiring experience.In my childhood, I was fortunate, to be taken onto the site during its excavations..the archeologists there were keen to show me inside and around the site.I had to be lifted over the entrance stone to go inside and that feeling I had from that experience has never left me and my love of ancient sites will always remain with me.I have visited the site recently, yes it did seem a little like some neolithic theme park, but I could only remember how amazed I felt as a child to know that I was one of the first people to see inside that chamber for thousands of years.I feel so very fortunate to have had this experience and so grateful to those archeologists that allowed me that experience. Nel.
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