Lucky Cork lottery winners get front row seats to Winter Solstice sunrise at Newgrange
A large crowd also gathered gathered outside the Newgrange monument to witness the spectacular sunrise. Picture: Office of Public Works.
People from Cork were among the lucky few lottery winners drawn from thousands of hopefuls that were on hand to witness the Winter Solstice sunrise from within the chamber at Newgrange.
In addition those from Cork winners from Donegal, Dublin, Kilkenny and Meath were at Newgrange this morning to witness the spectacular and magical event, while lucky international winners also travelled from far flung locations including Austria and the USA.
Viewers from across the globe also tuned in to view the event online through the livestream link, which was organised in collaboration between the OPW and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The Winter Solstice is an astronomical phenomenon which marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice occurs on December 21 or 22, when the sun shines directly over the tropic of Capricorn.
At sunrise on the shortest day of the year, for 17 minutes, direct sunlight can enter the Newgrange monument, not through the doorway, but through the specially contrived small opening above the entrance known as the ‘roof box’.
The sky was bright and clear this morning as viewers got to experience the spectacular phenomenon of sunlight entering the monument through the roof box and along the passage illuminating the inner chamber.
Outside the county Meath monument, a Neolithic passage tomb which dates to 3,200BC, the usual joyful atmosphere of the Solstice could be felt, as hundreds gathered to celebrate.
Head of Heritage Services and Capital Works Delivery with the OPW, Rosemary Collier, said the Winter Solstice "is a time of reflection and renewal and marks a very significant and special occasion”.
“I am delighted to be here today to welcome the Winter Solstice lottery winners to Newgrange and to welcome all those tuning in via our livestream link. Visitors and viewers witnessed first-hand this archaeological phenomenon.”
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