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.

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

Some of the people who made the pilgrimage to Dowth for the
Winter Solstice Sunset.
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.
Boyne Valley Private Day Tours

Pick up and return to your accommodation or cruise ship. Suggested day tour:
Newgrange World Heritage site, 10th century High Crosses at Monasterboice,
Hill of Tara the seat of the High Kings of Ireland and the Hill of Slane where St. Patrick let a Paschal fire in 433
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