Winter Solstice - Newgrange Ireland

Winter Solstice photo by Fran Caffrey.

Newgrange - Winter Solstice

The 2007 Newgrange Winter Solstice illumination was broadcast live on the internet. An achieve of the full webcast and a six minute compilation is available at Newgrange.com

The passage and chamber inside the ancient mound at Newgrange are illuminated by the winter solstice sunrise. A shaft of sunlight shines through the roof box over the entrance and penetrates the passage to light up the chamber. The dramatic event lasts for 17 minutes at dawn on a few days before and after the Winter Solstice. Admission to the chamber at Newgrange for the Winter Solstice sunrise is by lottery.

The 2007 Winter Solstice Draw took place at the end of September, there were 28,106 entries. Application forms are now available at the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre for the 2008 Winter Solstice Draw.

Newgrange Winter Solstice 2006

Click Here for images photographed on the morning of the 21st December 2006.

Joe & Clare won tickets in the winter solstice lottery for December 22nd, they were very fortunate to experience a glorious sunrise in the chamber at Newgrange.

Newgrange Winter Solstice 2005

I am very grateful to Anne-Maria Moroney who was at Newgrange on the 20th of December and has made these images available.

The sun didn't shine on the morning of the 21st December, the disappointment was eloquently described by Eileen Battersby in the Irish Times.

Newgrange Winter Solstice 2004

Click Here for images photographed on the actual morning of the winter solstice - 21st December 2004.

This image photographed from inside the chamber by Alan Betson was printed in The Irish Times newspaper on the 22nd December 2004.

Newgrange Winter Solstice 2004

Images of a beautiful sunrise at Newgrange on the 19th December 2004.

Sun light in the passage at Newgrange viewed from the entrance.

Newgrange Winter Solstice 2003

The Winter Solstice sunrise illuminates the passage way leading into the burial chamber of the megalithic passage tomb at Newgrange on the 21st December 2003. This wonderful photograph by Alan Betson was printed on the front page of The Irish Times newspaper on the 22nd December 2003.

More Images from the 2003 Winter Solstice at Newgrange.

Newgrange Winter Solstice 2002

Images from the Winter Solstice at Newgrange on the 22nd December 2002. A rainbow heightened the experience of those on the outside, as the fortunate few on the inside, selected by lottery experienced the illumination of the passage and chamber.

More Images from the 2002 Winter Solstice at Newgrange.

Newgrange Winter Solstice 2001

Solstice sunrise lets lucky few gaze through window to an ancient world.

Light at the end of the tunnel: the sun makes its way into the main chamber at Newgrange during the winter solstice, photography by Frank McGrath.

More about the 2001 Winter Solstice at Newgrange.

Winter Solstice Dates

Solstice literally means 'Sun Stands Still', for a few days around the time of the winter solstice the sun appears to stand still in the sky in that its elevation at noon does not seem to change. Click here for more information.