Newgrange
30 miles northwest of Dublin, in the Boyne Valley.
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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
More things to do in Ireland.
More information about Ireland.
More UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
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| Monasterboice high cross site near Dublin, Ireland |
More things to do in Ireland.
More information about Ireland.
More UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
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.
ReplyDeleteOlder than Stonhenge and The Pyramids? Amazing.Thank you for taking me to a place I may never visit!
ReplyDelete"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. ;)
ReplyDeleteInteresting that it dates prior to the pyramids.