The Winter Solstice is an astronomical phenomenon which marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice occurs on 21 or 22 December, when the sun shines directly over the tropic of Capricorn. At sunrise on the shortest day of Newgrange is the best known of the 3 great passage tombs in the Brú na Bóinne complex.
The passage and chamber are aligned in a south-easterly direction, facing the rising sun at the winter solstice for several days around December 21st. A small window-like opening above the doorway known as the roof box allows the light from the midwinter rising sun to penetrate the chamber and dramatically illuminate it. This event can last for up to 17 minutes depending on weather conditions.
For more information on the Winter Solstice at Newgrange, please see link here: Newgrange Winter Solstice 2025 | Heritage Ireland
Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, Roughgrange, Donore, Co. Meath, A92 EH5C