passage-grave cemetery, of which Newgrange is the focal point. Knowth, and its seventeen smaller passage-graves, lies one kilometre north-west of NewgrangNewgrange in County Meath in Ireland is the location for one of the most spectacular passage tombs in the world. The five thousand year old passage and chamber inside the ancient mound at Newgrange are illuminated by the winter solstice sunrise. A shaft of sunlight shines through the roofbox over the entrance and penetrates the passage to light up the chamber. The dramatic event lasts for 17 minutes at dawn from the 19th to the 23rd of December.

The river Boyne meanders across County Meath and on its final stretch it loops south, just after Slane. The land enclosed on three sides by the Boyne contains the passage-grave cemetery, of which Newgrange is the focal point. Knowth, and its seventeen smaller passage-graves, lies one kilometre north-west of Newgrange

amber inside the ancient mound at Newgrange are illuminated by the winter solstice sunrise. A shaft of sunlight shines through the roofbox over the entrance and penetrates the passage to light up the chamber. The dramatic event lasts for 17 minutes at dawn from the 19th to the 23rd of December.

The river Boyne meanders across County Meath and on its final stretch it loops south, just after Slane. The land enclosed on three sides by the Boyne contains the passage-grave cemetery, of which Newgrange is the focal point. Knowth, and its seventeen smaller passage-graves, lies one kilometre north-west of Newgrang

e and penetrates the passage to light up the chamber. The dramatic event lasts for 17 minutes at dawn from the 19th to the 23rd of December.

The river Boyne meanders across County Meath and on its final stretch it loops south, just after Slane. The land enclosed on three sides by the Boyne contains the passage-grave cemetery, of which Newgrange is the focal point. Knowth, and its seventeen smaller passage-graves, lies one kilometre north-west of Newgrang

r Boyne meanders across County Meath and on its final stretch it loops south, just after Slane. The land enclosed on three sides by the Boyne contains the passage-grave cemetery, of which Newgrange is the focal point. Knowth, and its seventeen smaller passage-graves, lies one kilometre north-west of Newgrangpassage-grave cemetery, of which Newgrange is the focal point. Knowth, and its seventeen smaller passage-graves, lies one kilometre north-west of Newgrange, and Dowth is to the east.

Newgrange consists of a passage and a chamber with walls and a roof, and these are built of large slabs. No mortar was used in their construction. A large mound of loose stones covers the tomb. A circle of standing stones surrounds the cairn. The beautiful white quartz stones that are now dotted around the surface used to cover the entire fa?ade. The roof-box, located above the entrance, is a unique structure. It is directly aligned with the chamber floor. It is through this slit that the rising sun on the morning of the winter solstice shines and illuminates the chamber.