The tomb is closed to the public due to Covid-19 restrictions
The Winter Solstice Sunrise is being live-streamed from Newgrange this morning.
For the second year in a row, the Neolithic tomb is closed to the public due to coronavirus.
Today, December 21st, marks the shortest day of the year.
In Ireland there is a passage tomb older than Stonehenge and the Giza Pyramids, called Newgrange.
About 5,200 years old, the central passage is aligned so, on the winter solstice, the Sun shines directly into the center of the tomb marking the New Year.
Happy Winter Solstice!? pic.twitter.com/lG8TlEap8h
— Ann? (@BannedAnn) December 21, 2021
Source: Twitter (@BannedAnn)
At sunrise on the shortest day of the year, for 17 minutes, direct sunlight enters the Newgrange monument to illuminate the chamber through the specially contrived small opening above the entrance known as the ‘roof box’.
Good morning and welcome to our first day of our live stream of the Winter Solstice from Newgrange. As we begin our countdown let us know where you are watching ? from #WinterSolstice #Solstice #Newgrange #UNESCO #ireland pic.twitter.com/9FPXbKximQ
— Office of Public Works (@opwireland) December 20, 2021
Source: Twitter (@OPWIreland)
The event can be viewed live each morning until December 22 on gov.ie/opw and heritageireland.ie.
Cover image via Twitter (@OPWIreland)
