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Photocall Ireland
high noon
Want to go to Newgrange for the winter solstice? The names are being picked today
30,000 entries have been received.
EVER FANCIED SPENDING an early morning on the shortest day of the year in a prehistoric passage grave in Meath?
If you’ve applied for just that type of morning out, today is the day to be excited.
Names are to be picked out of a hat (more a massive drum, really) for the 50 tickets to Newgrange on 21 December today.
Junior Minister Simon Harris will be in the visitor centre at the site today launching the lottery and an art competition that gives schoolchildren the chance to win themselves a place in the tomb.
The Winter Solstice Lottery draw takes place every year to select the names of the people who will be allowed access to the Newgrange Chamber over the winter solstice period.
This year, the OPW received almost 30,000 applications from destinations all around the world.
They say that this is “proof of the enduring popularity of this amazing annual cultural experience”.
Children from three local National Schools of Donore, Knockcommon and Slane will draw the lucky winners on the day. Each applicant is given a ticket which the OPW says is then placed in a drum and pulled out at random.
Fifty people will receive tickets for two in the draw to see sunlight fill the room early on 21 December.
Read: The 50 places in Europe you need to visit in your lifetime
Read: So we all know today is the longest day of the year. But exactly how long?
