Newgrange, Co. Meath

Newgrange

This is the world’s most famous passage tomb in the Boyne Valley, Co. Meath dating to 3000BC. It is famous because during the winter solstice, on 21st December, the sun shines through a little box above the door, all the way down the 19m long passage and directly into the main chamber. There is a lot of megalithic art inside and on the kerbstones outside and there is a stone circle around the main passage tomb.

DID YOU KNOW?

The stone basins in the main chamber are made of granite from Co. Down.

We got to learn about ‘geoarchaeology’ which involves studying the stones used to make objects and monuments. Newgrange and Knowth are amazing because some of the stones come from many kilometres away, including the Mournes, Newry and Carlingford.

Quartz from the Wicklow Mountains 40km to the south

Newry Granite from beaches around Dundalk Bay or Carlingford Lough 40km to the north Gabbro from beaches around Dundalk Bay or Carlingford Lough 40km to the north

Mourne Granite from beaches around Dundalk Bay or Carlingford Lough 40km to the north The quartz and granite on the front of Newgrange

DID YOU KNOW?

The Irish for quartz is ‘Grianchloch’ which means ‘Stone of the Sun’