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Dowth Winter Solstice - 21st December 2011


The Winter Solstice Sunrise is aligned with the passage and chamber at Newgrange and the Sunset is aligned with the passage and chamber at Dowth and Slieve Gullion. After the disappointment of a cloudy morning at Newgrange and generally overcast conditions during the day, it was wonderful to get a splash of sunlight approaching sunset at Dowth.

A splash of Winter Solstice sun makes its way through the gap in the trees towards the Dowth chamber.
A splash of Winter Solstice sun makes its way through the gap in the trees towards the Dowth chamber.


The entrance to Dowth passage and chamber lit up by the setting Winter Solstice sun.The entrance to Dowth passage and chamber lit up by the setting Winter Solstice sun.



The view from inside the chamber towards the entrance.
The view from inside the chamber towards the entrance.


The sunbeam hitting the backstone of the chamber inside the Dowth mound.
The sunbeam hitting the backstone of the chamber inside the Dowth mound.



Pilgrimage to Dowth for the Winter Solstice Sunset.
Some of the people who made the pilgrimage to Dowth for the Winter Solstice Sunset.


Dowth Engravings
Martin Brennan's drawing of the engravings on the stones at the back of the chamber. It is the lower part of the centre stone that the beam from the winter solstice setting sun illuminates.


Plan of Dowth South
Stonelight