Newgrange illuminated as public gather to celebrate winter solstice
Fiachra Gallagher
In a millennia-old tradition, people gathered at Newgrange, a Neolithic passage tomb in Co Meath, to mark the winter solstice on Wednesday.
A spectacular astrological phenomenon sees the tomb's burial chamber and passage-way illuminated by the rising sun on the shortest day of the year.
Shortly after 8.58am, the 5,000-year-old tomb was partially illuminated on account of some cloud cover, RTÉ reported.
Sun rising over Newgrange for the winter solstice @rtenews pic.twitter.com/tjez6DXUgQ
— Samantha Libreri (@SamanthaLibreri) December 21, 2022
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, members of the public were not allowed to enter the tomb's chamber for the solstice in 2020 and 2021. Wednesday marked a return for winners of the annual 'Solstice Lottery', operated by the Office of Public Works.
Minister of State for Public Expenditure and Reform Patrick O'Donovan said: “I am delighted to welcome the lucky winners of the very popular OPW Solstice Lottery competition to Newgrange to witness first hand this archaeological phenomenon.
"For many people, the Winter Solstice is a very significant and special occasion, where we bid farewell to the long dark evenings and herald a bright beginning for the year ahead," he said.
The OPW has operated the lottery since 2000.
Winter Solstice at Newgrange 21st December 2022 pic.twitter.com/57S0fSHFOw
— Brú na Bóinne - Newgrange and Knowth (@newgrangeknowth) December 21, 2022
