Newgrange Gathering

Newgrange is a 5,200-year-old passage tomb built by Stone Age farmers, located in the Boyne Valley in Ireland's Ancient East. Newgrange has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. However, in winter, this place is not just a World Heritage Site, but a famous gathering place for so many people to celebrate Winter Solstice, the astronomical phenomenon that marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year.

The reason for that is that Newgrange is best known for the illumination of its passage and chamber by the rising sun at the Winter Solstice. A roof box is located over the opening of Newgrange's channel. In the early hours of mornings around the winter solstice, a beam of light passes through the roof box, ascends the 19-meter passage, and enters the chamber. The sun's rays spread out as it ascends higher in the sky, vividly illuminating the entire chamber. The purpose of Newgrange Gathering is for people to gather here and witness that beautiful sunrise, hoping for a better year to come.

Nowadays, the Office of Public Works (OPW), in partnership with the National Monuments Services (NMS) of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, live-stream the Newgrange Gathering celebration via cameras located around the site. You can watch them on their official Youtube channel.

Duration: 22nd December

Location: Ireland