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Winter Solstice sunrise at Newgrange

The mornings leading up to the 21st of December 2006 were foggy, so it was wonderful that the winds picked up to banish the fog and let the sun through to illuminate Newgrange.

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.

Wide view of Newgrange at winter solstice sunrise with golden light on the quartz facade and standing stones under a clear sky. Newgrange winter solstice sunrise, 21st December 2006.
Bright winter solstice sun rising over the horizon as seen from the grassy Newgrange mound. Sunrise viewed from the Newgrange mound.
Newgrange mound and white quartz wall lit by warm solstice sunrise light with visitors near the entrance. Newgrange winter solstice sunrise.
Low winter sun shining onto the Newgrange entrance and quartz facade on solstice morning. Newgrange winter solstice sunrise.
Newgrange fully lit by winter solstice sunrise, quartz facade glowing against a pale blue sky. Newgrange fully illuminated by the winter solstice sunrise.
Close-up of the Newgrange roof-box lintel with lozenge carvings above the dark passage entrance. Close-up of the roof-box, which channels the sun's rays into the chamber.

Newgrange Winter Solstice Archive

Newgrange entrance and roof-box with lozenge carvings on the lintel as a shaft of sunlight enters the dark passage. The entrance and roof-box at Newgrange.

Newgrange Winter Solstice: National Monuments Service.

Narrow beam of winter solstice sunlight along the Newgrange passage floor between upright orthostats. Winter solstice sunbeam in the passage, photograph by Alan Betson. This photography by Alan Betson taken in 2004 shows the beam of sunlight inside the passage at Newgrange. More images from 2004.

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.

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