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Newgrange Winter Solstice Images
At the winter solstice, the rising sun shines directly along the long passage into the chamber
for about 17 minutes and illuminates the chamber floor. The sun enters the passage through a specially contrived opening,
known as a roofbox, directly above the main entrance.
The alignment is such that although the roofbox is above the passage entrance, the light hits the floor of the inner chamber.
Today the first light enters about four minutes after sunrise, but calculations based on the precession of the Earth show
that 5,000 years ago first light would have entered exactly at sunrise.
The solar alignment at Newgrange is very precise compared to similar phenomena at other passage graves
such as Dowth or Maes Howe in the Orkney Islands, off the coast of Scotland.
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Private Tour with pick up and return to your accommodation.
Newgrange World Heritage site, the 10th century High Crosses at Monasterboice,
Hill of Tara the seat of the High Kings, Hill of Tara the seat of the High Kings and the Hill of Slane where St. Patrick let a Paschal fire in 433 More ...