August 18, 2014

Dublin, Ireland: Newgrange; things to do

Newgrange  

30 miles northwest of Dublin, in the Boyne Valley.  

Newgrange site near Dublin, Ireland
Newgrange site near Dublin, Ireland


Dating back to 4000 B.C., the Newgrange UNESCO World Heritage Site holds a prehistoric tomb that is older than both Stonehenge in England and the pyramids in Egypt. 
 

tomb entrance at Newgrange site near Dublin, Ireland
tomb entrance at Newgrange site near Dublin, Ireland


The tomb entrance is a narrow passage made of large stones that leads into a covered burial chamber.  During the winter solstice, the rising sun shines through a small opening above the tomb's doorway and illuminates the chamber, which is at other times pitch black.  An interpretive center with a small cafe are nearby.  Two more passage tombs--Knowth and Dowth—are in the area.  Day tours from Dublin are available.
 


Newgrange Farm

This working farm with animals to feed and pet is especially fun for children and just a few miles down the road. 


Monasterboice  

This graveyard holds one of the best preserved high crosses in Ireland. 

Monasterboice high cross site near Dublin, Ireland
Monasterboice high cross site near Dublin, Ireland



More things to do in Ireland.

More information about Ireland.


More UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

More ideas for exploring Europe.


images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

3 comments:

  1. Wow, that's old. And I thought Stonehenge was ancient. Coming from Western Australia where old tombs are few, but dinosaur footprints can be found, it's such a different landscape.

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  2. Older than Stonhenge and The Pyramids? Amazing.Thank you for taking me to a place I may never visit!

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  3. "the rising sun shines through a small opening above the tomb's doorway and illuminates the chamber," Reminds me of a scene from Indiana Jones. ;)

    Interesting that it dates prior to the pyramids.

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