An Inside Look at Newgrange

Newgrange

Newgrange, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Newgrange is a monument constructed in prehistoric times approximately 3,300 B.C. during the Neolithic period, This makes it even older than England's Stonehenge or The Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. It is located on the eastern side of Ireland, County Meath, slightly to the north of the river Boyne. Newgrange forms part of a larger historic complex named bru na Bóinne containing three tombs, Dowth, Knowth and Newgrange, the largest of the three is Dowth. Throughout the area there are around thirty five more smaller mounds. Newgrange remained undiscovered until the 17th century and was later excavated in 1962 and 1975. UNESCO has since designated the area as a World Heritage Site. It is believed to have been built by a thriving farming community who lived well on the rich land that forms the Boyne Valley. 

Passageway cross section

Newgrange covers an area of more than an acre and is a kidney shaped mound. At the base are ninety seven retaining stones, known as kerbstones. It was obviously constructed by skilled workmen from a well organized society and there would have been specialized groups dealing with the various aspects of building. There is a 19 meter long inner passage leading to a cruciform chamber which has a corbelled roof. Originally believed to be a passage tomb, Newgrange is now recognized to be much more and is thought to have been used in a similar way to present day cathedrals as a prestigious place of worship, weddings and a resting place for important people. 

Megalith, triple spirals

At the entrance to the passage is a large rock intricately carved with Celtic designs which features the only Celtic triple spiral motif ever discovered. The kerbstones surrounding Newgrange are also carved with Celtic designs. These carvings were created later than the original construction possibly by a man from Italy or France. The Celts themselves arrived in Ireland during the Iron Age, which was around 600 B.C. The height of the passage is low until the entrance to the main chamber which is in the shape of a cross. Again, Celtic designs can be seen both in the passage and also the chamber which had been used as a tomb, five bodies were discovered when excavations were carried out. 

One remarkable feature of Newgrange is that at the winter solstice once a year, the rising sun is perfectly aligned with the long passage and shines all the way through to the chamber, illuminating it for about seventeen minutes by means of a 'roof box' located above the passage entrance. Because of the way Newgrange was constructed, it is too exact to be coincidental. Demand to witness this amazing sight is high and only a fortunate few who hold special invitations are permitted inside the chamber as it happens. 

photograph by Cyril Byrne, courtesy of The Irish Times

image courtesy of The Office of Public Works, Ireland

It is only possible to visit Newgrange by guided tour from the Brú na Bóinne Centre south of the river Boyne. As Newgrange is on the north of the river, visitors cross by a pedestrian bridge and catch a special bus to Newgrange. There is no public access by road except in the winter at the time of the solstice. Although there are a great many places of historic interest to be seen in Ireland, Newgrange has to rank among the ones not to be missed.

About the Author: Steven Forsyth has studied Celtic Mythology and Irish Folklore, he has worked in the Jewelry industry for over 7 years with Celtic Rings Ltd in Dublin, Ireland.