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Newgrange Winter Solstice - 22nd December 2010

At Newgrange, the Winter Solstice creates one of Ireland's most remarkable ancient spectacles. Around the shortest days of the year, the rising sun shines through the roof-box above the entrance, sending a narrow beam 19 metres along the passage to illuminate the inner chamber for about 17 minutes. The photographs below were taken on 22 December 2010, when snow covered the mound and clear skies allowed the sunbeam to reach the chamber.

Newgrange covered in snow at twilight, white quartz wall glowing with warm light from the passage entrance on 22 December 2010. Arriving at a snowy Newgrange for the Winter Solstice sunrise on December 22nd 2010.
Snow-covered standing stone in a frosty field at Newgrange at dawn, with misty Boyne Valley hills under a pink and orange horizon. A promising sky on the closest morning to the actual Winter Solstice.
Winter solstice group in coats and scarves posed before the Newgrange entrance, white quartz facade and snow-covered ground. The Newgrange Solstice group before entering the chamber.
Snow-dusted stone in the foreground, golden sunset over misty Boyne Valley fields viewed from Newgrange. Winter Solstice Sunrise viewed from the Newgrange entrance.
Newgrange in snow at sunrise, white quartz facade, roofbox, kerbstones and standing orthostats in the field. White Quartz Facade glowing in the Winter Solstice sunrise.
Man crouches in the Newgrange passage, hand at the edge of the winter solstice sunbeam on the floor. Tour guide Michael Fox touching the light in the passage at the mouth of the chamber.

Ken Williams captured this amazing photo featuring Michael Fox touching the light beam within the ancient structure. Heavy snowfall had created challenging driving conditions, and Michael received a message from a contact at the Brú na Bóinne Visitors Centre, informing him that some Solstice Lottery winners could not travel due to road conditions. Deciding to proceed to Newgrange for the sunrise on December 22nd, he anticipated a good chance of gaining access to the chamber.

Residing approximately 20 km from Newgrange, he navigated through snow-covered roads and successfully reached Newgrange safely. Upon arrival, he was greeted by a pristine, white landscape and, more importantly, a clear sky. As expected, some Solstice Lottery winners did not make it, affording him the opportunity to join the group entering the chamber to await the sunrise. They were rewarded with a spectacular dawn that bathed the chamber in golden light.

As the sunbeam began its retreat down the passage, Michael conceived the idea of asking Ken Williams to capture a photo of his hand touching the light beam. For Michael, the resulting image serves as a cherished memory of that remarkable morning.

Newgrange passage looking toward the entrance, winter solstice light and roofbox glow between orthostats. Sun rays in the passage at the end of a spectacular solstice illumination.
Newgrange roofbox and entrance lintel covered in snow, lozenge carvings on the upper lintel stone. Snow at the Roofbox, thankfully it didn't block the sunbeam entering the passage.
Newgrange entrance in snow with Kerbstone 1 triple spirals, roofbox and white quartz facade. It's the sunbeam from the Roofbox above the entrance that reaches the chamber.

Newgrange Winter Solstice Archive

Newgrange roofbox above the entrance lintel, with lozenge carvings on the roofbox lintel stone. Newgrange roofbox above the entrance lintel.
Newgrange Winter Solstice : National Monuments Service.

Setting Sun Alignments

The Winter Solstice Setting Sun illuminates the chamber at the nearby Dowth mound and at the cairn on Slieve Gullion in Co. Armagh.

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