Newgrange - World Heritage Site

Newgrange was built by Stone Age farmers, the mound is 85m (279ft) in diameter and 13m (43ft) high, an area of about 1 acre. A passage measuring 19m (62ft) leads into a chamber with 3 alcoves. The passage and chamber are aligned with the rising sun on the mornings around the Winter Solstice.

Visitors access the Newgrange monument through the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre. There is no direct entry at the monument.

Newgrange is a Stone Age (Neolithic) monument in the Boyne Valley, County Meath, it is the jewel in the crown of Ireland's Ancient East. Newgrange was constructed about 5,200 years ago (3,200 B.C.) which makes it older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza. The mound is ringed by 97 large kerbstones, some of which are engraved with symbols called megalithic art; the most striking is the entrance stone

Newgrange was built by a prosperous Neolithic farming community that lived on the fertile lands of the Boyne Valley. Alongside Knowth and Dowth, it forms a group of closely related monuments that together have been designated a World Heritage Site.

While archaeologists originally classified Newgrange as a passage tomb, it is now widely understood to be far more than a place of burial. It functioned as an ancient temple, with deep astrological, spiritual, religious, and ceremonial significance. In this sense, Newgrange can be compared to later cathedrals, places that combined ritual importance, social prestige, and the commemoration of important individuals.

The monument itself is a large kidney shaped mound covering more than one acre. It is retained at its base by 97 kerbstones, some of which are richly carved with Neolithic megalithic art. A 19 metre (62 ft) long passage leads into a cruciform chamber capped by a finely constructed corbelled roof. The scale, precision, and labour involved in building Newgrange point to a highly organised society, with specialised groups responsible for design, construction, and decoration.

Newgrange is part of a wider ceremonial landscape built along a bend of the Boyne, known collectively as Brú na Bóinne. In addition to Newgrange, the complex includes Knowth, the largest of the monuments, and Dowth, as well as up to 35 smaller mounds spread across the surrounding area.

Tomb of Newgrange

Visitor Information

Visitor access to Newgrange and Knowth is strictly by guided tour through the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, located on the south side of the River Boyne. Newgrange and Knowth lie on the north side of the river. Visitors cross the River Boyne via a pedestrian bridge and then travel to the monuments by shuttle bus. There is no direct public road access to Newgrange or Knowth. When using a GPS satellite navigation system, the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre should be entered as the destination.

Winter Solstice

Newgrange is best known for the illumination of its passage and chamber by the winter solstice sun. Above the entrance to the passage at Newgrange there is an opening called a roof-box. This baffling orifice held a great surprise for those who unearthed it. Its purpose is to allow sunlight to penetrate the chamber on the shortest days of the year, around December 21st, the winter solstice. At dawn, from December 19th to 23rd, a narrow beam of light penetrates the roof-box and reaches the floor of the chamber, gradually extending to the rear of the chamber.

As the sun rises higher, the beam widens within the chamber so that the whole room becomes dramatically illuminated. This event lasts for 17 minutes, beginning around 9am. The accuracy of Newgrange as a time-telling device is remarkable when one considers that it was built 500 years before the Great Pyramids and more than 1,000 years before Stonehenge.

The intent of the Stone Age farmers who build Newgrange was undoubtedly to mark the beginning of the new year. In addition, it may have served as a powerful symbol of the victory of life over death.

Each year the winter solstice event attracts much attention at Newgrange. Many gather at the ancient tomb to wait for dawn, as people did 5,000 years ago. So great is the demand to be one of the few inside the chamber during the solstice that there is a free annual lottery. Unfortunately, as with many Irish events that depend upon sunshine, if the skies are overcast, there is not much to be seen. Yet all agree that it is an extraordinary feeling to wait in the darkness, as people did so long ago, for the longest night of the year to end.

On the mornings around the winter solstice, members of the public are welcome to gather outside the entrance to the Newgrange monument to witness the sunrise. Access is free on these mornings, and visitors begin their journey at the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, from where shuttle buses operate to Newgrange. While chamber access at sunrise is restricted to solstice lottery winners, those attending can experience the atmosphere at the monument itself and, after sunrise, may have an opportunity to queue for limited post event entry to the chamber.

Private Tour to Newgrange, Knowth, and the Boyne Valley

Embark on a journey through time and heritage with our exclusive private tour to Newgrange, Knowth, and other captivating sites nestled in the enchanting Boyne Valley. Immerse yourself in the rich history and mystique of these World Heritage sites, where ancient wonders come to life.

Newgrange and Knowth, both designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites, stand as testament to the ingenuity of our ancestors. Dating back over 5,000 years, these Neolithic passage tombs are older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza. Step inside the chambers of Newgrange, where the winter solstice illuminates a narrow passage, casting an ethereal light on the ancient carvings within. Explore Knowth, adorned with megalithic art, and unravel the mysteries of a bygone era.

Visit the megalithic passage tombs at Newgrange and Knowth with the on-site guide. These are UNESCO World Heritage sites so you will be joining others on the official tour. Beyond the renowned Newgrange and Knowth, our private tour takes you on an intimate exploration of lesser-known gems in the Boyne Valley.

Leave the logistics to us as you embark on a stress-free exploration of the Boyne Valley. Our private tours ensure a personalized and comfortable experience from the moment we pick you up at your accommodation to the time we drop you back.