Newgrange Winter Solstice Draw 2008

The annual draw to attend the Winter Solstice at Newgrange took place on Friday September 26th 2008 at the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, Donore Co. Meath.

Children from three local national schools: Slane, Donore and Knockcommon drew the winning entries from 34,107 applications.

Fifty names were drawn, and each of those fifty people have been invited by the Office of Public Works to attend, with a guest, on a specific morning. There are ten lottery winners and their guests in the chamber on each of the mornings.

Some additional names were also drawn and placed on a reserve list. The reserve list is there in case someone whose name is drawn for the initial list is not contactable or finds it impossible to travel to Newgrange on the date they have been assigned. The place at Newgrange for dawn solstice event is non-transferable. Lottery winners cannot offer their place in the chamber to someone else.

Sunrise on the shortest days of the year is just before 9.00am but unfortunately there is no guarantee that there will be sunlight in the chamber on any of the mornings … the event is totally weather dependent! However, those who make the journey always remark that it is a privilege to be at the ancient monument on those days and wait for dawn just as they did 5,000 years ago.

Newgrange Winter Solstice Draw 2009

Application forms for the 2009 Winter Solstice are available at the reception desk in the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre. There is no on-line application system, however the obliging Staff at the Visitor Centre will fill out a form on your behalf. Email your postal details and a contact telephone number to and they will complete an application form on your behalf.


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Newgrange Winter Solstice Draw 2008 The annual draw to attend the Winter Solstice at Newgrange took place on Friday September 26th 2008 at the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, Donore Co. Meath. Children from three local national schools: Slane, Donore and Knockcommon drew the winning entries from 34,107 applications. Fifty names were drawn, and each of those fifty people have been invited by the Office of Public Works to attend, with a guest, on a specific morning. There are ten lottery winners and their guests in the chamber on each of the mornings. Some additional names were also drawn and placed on a reserve list. The reserve list is there in case someone whose name is drawn for the initial list is not contactable or finds it impossible to travel to Newgrange on the date they have been assigned. The place at Newgrange for dawn solstice event is non-transferable. Lottery winners cannot offer their place in the chamber to someone else. Sunrise on the shortest days of the year is just before 9.00am but unfortunately there is no guarantee that there will be sunlight in the chamber on any of the mornings … the event is totally weather dependent! However, those who make the journey always remark that it is a privilege to be at the ancient monument on those days and wait for dawn just as they did 5,000 years ago. Newgrange Winter Solstice Draw 2009 Application forms for the 2009 Winter Solstice are available at the reception desk in the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre. There is no on-line application system, however the obliging Staff at the Visitor Centre will fill out a form on your behalf. Email your postal details and a contact telephone number to and they will complete an application form on your behalf.