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Posted Mon 11 Dec 2017 4:12 PM
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You must be talking about Newgrange. For over 5 , 000 years , this megalithic monument has stood amidst one of the world ' s most important prehistoric landscapes , Brú na Bóinne ( the Boyne Valley ) in County Meath, which makes it older than both the Pyramids at Giza and the standing stones at Stonehenge .& nbsp ; There ' s a bit of mystery surrounding its purpose - archaeologists classify it as a passage tomb , but it ' s widely recognised as having a much deeper significance for its Stone Age builders . For millennia now , something remarkable happens between December 18 and December 23 ; for 17 magical minutes , a single beam of light from the rising sun penetrates the small opening over the entrance . It creeps slowly along the narrow stone passageway until it reaches the burial chamber at the centre of the structure and bathes it in a golden glow .& nbsp ; So how often do you get to see this wondrous spectacle ? Access is decided by lottery so you can throw your name into the metaphorical hat , and who knows - you might be one of the lucky ones . Just remember - the experience is weather - dependent , but even if it ' s cloudy , it ' s a pretty special experience .& nbsp ; If your name isn ' t hand - picked , don ' t worry . Spectators are welcome to come and stand outside the monument to soak up the atmosphere . And if you can ' t make it during the Winter Solstice, you can still see a simulation of the lightshow at any time of the year when you visit Newgrange. Access is strictly through the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre , where you ' ll get a great overview of this extraordinary landscape . As well as Newgrange, you can visit Knowth , Brú na Bóinne ' s largest passage tomb , and discover more about the ancient and highly - skilled society that built it . While you ' re here in Ireland's Ancient East, you can also check out Loughcrew in County Westmeath& nbsp ;- another Stone Age marvel that boasts a similar lightshow during the Spring and Autumn solstices .
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Posted Tue 12 Dec 2017 11:04 AM
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Check out this link & nbsp ; https://www.marblearchcavesgeopark.com/geopark-events/ - the Cavan Burren Forest Park is the most magical of places to experience the Winter Solstice.& nbsp ;& nbsp ;
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Posted Tue 12 Dec 2017 12:07 PM
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Derry~Londonderry
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I suspect , weather permitting , there would be no more atmospheric place to view the Winter Solstice than from the walls of the great hill - top fortification of Grianan of Aileach in Inishowen , County Donegal , near Derry city , with commanding views over Loughs Foyle and Swilly and the counties of Donegal , Derry and Tyrone . Grianan of Aileach , with its panoramic views over the surrounding countryside , was built here as a symbol of royal power . This large stone - walled fort was the royal citadel of the northern Ui Neill from the 5th to the 12th century . Three earthen banks circle the Grianan which may be part of an earlier Bronze Age or Iron Age hillfort .
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Posted Tue 12 Dec 2017 12:10 PM
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 The Navan Centre & amp ; Fort , Armagh are also planning a Winter Solstice event https://visitarmagh.com/whatson/winter-solstice/
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