A Spectacular Winter Solstice at Newgrange Ireland
A report from Newgrange, Ireland watching the sun rise on the 21st Dec'04 at the winter solstice
(PRWEB) December 22, 2004
The Megalithic Passage Tomb at Newgrange was built about 3200 BC. The mound covers an area of over one acre and is surrounded by 97 kerbstones, some of which are richly decorated with megalithic art. The 19 metre long inner passage leads to a cruciform chamber with a corbelled roof. It is estimated that the construction of the Passage Tomb at Newgrange would have taken a work force of 300 at least 20 years(ref:http://www. knowth. com (http://www. knowth. com))
The great feat of building the monument is surpassed by it's design to align itself with the sunrise of the winter solstice. This happens every year on the 21st December. On a clear morning like today we watched as the sun rose over the horizon and sent a shaft of sunlight through the 'Box' to light up the center of the burial chamber.
This morning was perfect. What a wonderful feeling as we gathered in the morning frost watching and hoping that the sky would be clear. We were rewarded with one of the best in years. As the sun rose the small crowd waiting outside cheered and clapped. Earlier someone had been beating a bodhran, an ancient gaelic drum. This helped create an ancient atmosphere. As a mark of respect to the sun he stopped playing as the sun rose over the horizon.
Outside the grounds of Newgrange there were about 20 protesters holding plackards. They were protesting about the new Incinerator plant which has been given the go ahead to be built in the Boyne Valley. In the distance one can see the chimneys of Platin the huge cement factory and it is not a pretty sight on such a morning. Recently planning permission has been granted to Indaver to build an Incinerator plant to dispose of waste from the North East Region. There is a lot of concern about the health risks posed by such a site and also the decision to allow it to be built in so close to Newgrange which is a designated UNESCO world heritage site. for more info see http://www. lookaroundireland. com/newgrange. htm (http://www. lookaroundireland. com/newgrange. htm)
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