Newgrange, Co Meath

This afternoon.

On the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year.

Wexford archaeologist Colm Moriarty, of the excellent blog Irish Archaeology, shares his thoughts about the building of the passage tomb in Newgrange, Co Meath…

Irish Archaeology

Pic: Our Irish Heritage

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24 thoughts on “Dark To Light

  1. Spaghetti Hoop

    Nice visual post. Was there only 6 weeks ago and it really is a fine journey into a largely unknown and theorised past. Anyone who wins the ‘lottery’ to attend the annual Solstice is a lucky sod.

    FYI, it is one of only three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ireland (I include the Giants Causeway in that).

    But we have the following on our ‘Tentative List’, with date of inception;

    The Burren (2010)
    The Historic City of Dublin (2010)
    The Céide Fields and North West Mayo Boglands (2010)
    Western Stone Forts (2010)
    The Monastic City of Clonmacnoise and its Cultural Landscape (2010)
    Early Medieval Monastic Sites (2010)
    The Royal Sites of Ireland: Cashel, Dún Ailinne, Hill of Uisneach, Rathcroghan Complex, and Tara Complex (2010)

    Do your best to support this sites and encourage your family visitors to loop them into their itinerary.

      1. Fact Checker

        Brú na Bóinne and the Skelligs are IMHO the only things unique and interesting enough to make a WORLD heritage site.

        With apologies for being non-parochial.

        The Céide Fields are just stone walls that happened to be preserved under a bog. I went once and will never go again. It is not Pompeii.

        1. Spaghetti Hoop

          No need to apologise for being non-parochial to me FC, I’m far from it. But it’s interesting you say that, half of which I agree. In terms of Outstanding Universal Value, I think The Burren, Clonmacnoise and the Western Forts of Dún Aonghasa etc should be promoted as World Heritage Sites, especially as they are so well protected. The others? Nah. I’m a Dub and I have serious doubts about the historic city being tentatively-listed as it’s lost so much of its authenticity.

          Hurling, however…..

          1. Fact Checker

            Totally agree on Dublin.

            There is no real piece of it that is purely historical and fully extant, it’s not Venice. Some of the nicest stuff has been built in the last 20 years.

            Georgian bits aside, there is very little of historical architectural significance in the city centre. There is nothing to preserve on Dame st, for instance.

            The sad example of the Fitzwilliam St demolition in the sixties has led to the pendulum swinging too far in the direction of preservation.

          2. Brother Barnabas

            “There is nothing to preserve on Dame St, for instance”

            how about thomas newenham deane’s TWO masterpieces – what’s now the AIB and a hotel I don’t remember the name of (corner of Fownes St) – both striking buildings. worth preserving? if not, nor is trinity college front square because he did the best bits there too. is City Hall worth preserving? dozens more.

            mad talk altogether

          3. bisted

            …I love the whole sweep and camber of Dame Street…easliy my favourite street in dear dirty dublin…

          4. Brother Barnabas

            some unfortunate scruffiness in patches. owners of landmark or historic buildings should be made properly maintain them.

    1. Spaghetti Hoop

      Tell wiz what, I’ve been through the passage (not Terry Keane obv) and you need to be reasonably svelte. A bus-load of US tourists arrived when I was leaving and some were not passage-successfuls, and I extend that to some government TDs, who would definitely not get in to the chamber…

  2. Neilo

    Heh heh heh! Bertie, a very happy Christmas to you and the family. Can’t post for long as I’m currently on some incredibly strong pills – another goddam cycling accident!

  3. Joe

    There are smaller tombs elsewhere in Meath thats are 100% original and if ur lucky u can get in for free if the gate is open. Same construction methods, same carvings and the opening pointing the same direction as newgrange.

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