Winter Solstice at Newgrange

flickr photo link: <Solstice at Newgrange, 22 Dec 2006>
External Link: <Official Newgrange website about our visit>
We went to the winter solstice at Newgrange, County Meath this morning (about 50km north of Dublin). Clare won 2 tickets for us in a lottery that had 27,485 applications! It was pretty amazing...
Here is a little text about our morning, copied from http://www.knowth.com/winter-solstice.htm with links to additional pictures and information:
The passage and chamber inside the ancient mound at Newgrange are illuminated by the winter solstice sunrise. A shaft of sunlight shines through the roof box over the entrance and penetrates the passage to light up the chamber. The dramatic event lasts for 17 minutes at dawn on a few days before and after the Winter Solstice. Admission to the chamber at Newgrange for the Winter Solstice sunrise is by lottery. The 2006 Winter Solstice Draw took place on the 29th of September, there were 27,485 applications. Application forms are now available at the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre for the 2007 Winter Solstice Draw. Here is a link to some additional historical information about Newgrange. Bye for now.