Our Visit To Newgrange – Ireland’s Ancient Passage Tomb

newgrange, county meath, ireland

A must-see for Bob and me while traveling in Ireland was Newgrange, an important passage grave west of Drogheda in County Meath.  This megalithic structure is considered one of the most important in Europe and the great national monument of Ireland.

newgrange, county meath, ireland

Newgrange is a prehistoric monument that was built by Stone Age farmers during the Neolithic Period some 5,200 years ago, around 3,200 B.C.  This makes Newgrange older than both Stonehenge in England and the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

river boyne, county meath, ireland

We found Newgrange in the Boyne Valley on the north side of the River Boyne.

river boyne, county meath, ireland

The farming community that built Newgrange thrived on the rich lands of the valley.

newgrange, county meath, ireland

Newgrange consists of a large rounded mound that is 85 metres wide and 13 metres high.  Built using alternating layers of earth and stones, it covers one acre of land.

newgrange, county meath, ireland

The front facade of Newgrange is covered with white quartz cobblestones.

newgrange, county meath, ireland

A ring of 97 large kerbstones surrounds the base of the main monument.

kerbstone, newgrange, county meath, ireland

Several kerbstones are decorated with megalithic art in the form of carvings hewn into the stone blocks.

a kerbstone, newgrange, county meath, ireland

A lot of the petroglyphs feature spiral motifs.  The most impressive kerbstone is located at the entrance to the mound.

standing stones, newgrange, county meath, ireland

The mound at Newgrange is ringed by a stone circle.

a standing stone, newgrange, county meath, ireland

Twelve huge standing stones make up the stone circle with some of the rocks having been transported from as faraway as the Wicklow Mountains about 50 kilometres distant.  It is believed that originally there were 35 standing stones.

stonework, newgrange, county meath, ireland

200,000 tons of rock was used to construct Newgrange over the course of about 30 years.

white granite cobblestones, newgrange, county meath, ireland

This suggests a complex society that handed down specialized skills from one generation to the next.

the passageway, newgrange, county meath, ireland

One significant aspect of Newgrange is the stone passageway leading to 3 chambers within the mound.  Human bones and offerings found in the central alcove led archaeologists to believe that this was a grave sight.

tour bus, newgrange, county meath, ireland

Visitors cannot drive straight to the mound that is Newgrange.  After arriving at the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, Bob and I along with other visitors were conducted to the grave on a small bus.

tour group, newgrange, county meath, ireland

Being a sacred temple, it was necessary for the group to be escorted into the grave by a historical interpreter.

entrance to the passageway, newgrange, county meath, ireland

The historical interpreter pointed out to us an interesting opening above the entrance to the passageway.  This is called a roof-box and it works something like a skylight in today’s architecture.

the roof box and entrance kerbstone, newgrange, county meath, ireland

For several days around the Winter Solstice, the roof-box allows rays from the rising sun to illuminate the passageway.

stone door, newgrange, county meath, ireland

Set to one side of the entrance and secured in place is a large flat stone that used to act as a door to prevent entry into the grave.

a tour group entering newgrange, county meath, irelandAs each person entered the passageway, the guide reminded them to watch their heads.  It was a low ceiling.

the passageway, newgrange, county meath, ireland

As we walked the 19-metre long stone passageway to the central burial chamber, we found ourselves going up a slight grade.

the passageway, newgrange, county meath, ireland

The interior remains dry and air tight after all these centuries.

the passageway, newgrange, county meath, ireland

It is amazing to learn that, each day for several days on the Winter Solstice, the alignment of the stone passageway with the rising sun allows rays to penetrate to the floor of the passageway via the roof-box.  The sunbeams extend all the way to the central chamber and eventually fill the chamber with dramatic light.

Music “Green Fields” courtesy NeoSounds.com

an outbuilding at newgrange, county meath, ireland

Although mysteries still abound about Newgrange and secondary structures on the grounds, it is thought to have had astrological significance because it marked the start of a new year and probably played a part in the community’s religious, spiritual and ceremonial pursuits.

Brú na Bóinne sign, newgrange, county meath, ireland

Newgrange is part of the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage Site that also includes the nearby passage tomb mounds of Knowth and Dowth.

jean and bob picnicking at newgrange, county meath, ireland

As Bob and I partook of our picnic lunch at Newgrange, we contemplated the significance of this historic area that is marked with about 35 lesser henges, mounds and standing stones.  We had one more location to visit and that was the Hill of Tara.

Related:

Our walk on the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland

Wildflowers on Ireland’s Inishmore Island

The Victorian Walled Garden at Kylemore Abbey, Ireland

Kylemore Abbey in Connemara, Ireland

Frame To Frame – Bob and Jean

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