Newgrange

Northern Ireland is known for its amazing attractions and the intriguing history but it’s the ancient history you need to check out. The Boyne Valley In County Meath is home to a variety of experiences. Its recent history is fascinating but its ancient past is staggering.

40 minutes north of Dublin, Newgrange ancient temple and burial mound is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and we strongly suggest you see it for yourself.

The Neolithic burial site is over 5,000 years old and built 1,000 years before Stonehenge. The mound has been built in a kidney shape for a reason and the main passageway has been strategically positioned to transform the chambers for 5 days in December. During the 19th to the 23rd, the sun illuminates the chamber. The builder’s intent for this structure was to mark the start of the New Year, which suggests the population in County Meath at the time was more sophisticated as we thought.

There are three different mounds, all similar in design. Newgrange is the biggest then Knowth, then Dowth. People come from all over the world to visit this special place for all different reasons because it is so fascinating and to see the amount of work that went into the building of this site is absolutely incredible.

For more information, visit the Tourism Ireland website: www.ireland.com