These bird's-eye views of Newgrange from above are jaw-dropping

You can also catch a glimpse of its neighbours Knowth and Dowth.

By Nicky Ryan Wednesday 21 Dec 2016, 7:00 AM

Dec 21st 2016, 7:00 AM 19,346 Views 19 Comments

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TODAY MARKS THE winter solstice, the shortest day of the year and when something very special happens at Newgrange.

The ancient Irish knew a thing or two about astronomy, and built the massive monument in such a way that on the solstice sunlight shines through a box above the doorway, illuminating the chamber.

Newgrange is just one of many sites in the Brú na Bóinne complex, with neighbouring sites Knowth and Dowth both also imposing passage tombs.

Knowth is of a similar scale and surrounded by satellite tombs, while Dowth has been badly damaged by careless excavations in the 1800s.

In the above video, CopterView gives us a birds-eye view of all three sites.

Read: Major megalithic art find at Hellfire Club passage tomb >

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These bird's-eye views of Newgrange from above are jaw-dropping

You can also catch a glimpse of its neighbours Knowth and Dowth.