LAST UPDATE | 21 Dec 2020

THE WINTER SOLSTICE sunrise was this morning from the tomb chamber at Newgrange.

Unfortunately, the cloudy conditions this morning meant that the sun didn’t make an appearance. 

Newgrange, a passage tomb from the Neolithic era in Meath, usually hosts guests in the chamber each winter solstice for a coveted view of the sunrise aligning with the roof box into the passage.

The tomb, which is around 5,200 years old, is closed to visitors this winter due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The Office of Public Works said that the livestream will mean “everyone will be able to experience this wonderful phenomenon”.

Members of the public were asked not to visit the site this morning as access would not be facilitated.

The broadcast this morning featured experts discussing the historical significance of Newgrange and explaining the process whereby sunlight would enter the chamber on this day. 

Yesterday’s broadcast, meanwhile, featured much brighter conditions.

A number of new discoveries were made around Newgrange last year, including dozens of previously unknown monuments and possible Neolithic log boats in the river bed of the Boyne.

The OPW will again be streaming live from Newgrange tomorrow morning at around 8.45am.

With reporting from Lauren Boland