Winter Solstice sunrise at Newgrange - 19th December 2004

In 2004 the actual winter solstice fell on December 21st, however the sunrise illuminates the passage and chamber at Newgrange for a few days around the actual solstice date. The weather forecast was promising for Sunday the 19th, so I joined a small group at the entrance to the mound and was duly rewarded with a beautiful sunrise.

Sunlight beginning to illuminate the white quartz
Sunlight beginning to illuminate the white quartz front of Newgrange at 9:02am

Newgrange entrance fully illuminated
Newgrange entrance fully illuminated by glorious rays of sunshine at 9:15am

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

Sunrise over a standing stone at Newgrange.
Sunrise over a standing stone viewed from the entrance of Newgrange.

The lucky people selected by lottery
The lucky people selected by lottery leaving the chamber at 9:22am

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