Newgrange is a Neolithic passage tomb in the Boyne Valley, County Meath, built around 5,200 years ago. Its stone-lined passage leads to a chamber beneath a large mound, and the entrance is marked by a carved stone. A guided visit takes you inside to see how the chamber aligns with the winter solstice sunrise; the tour demonstrates how sunlight reaches it at dawn. Start at the Brú na Bóinne visitor centre, where exhibitions introduce the monuments before a shuttle carries visitors to Newgrange.
A monument built in the Neolithic period
Newgrange was built around 3200 BC by a farming community in the Boyne Valley. At about 5,200 years old, it predates Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid of Giza. It is part of Brú na Bóinne, a group of prehistoric monuments that includes Knowth and Dowth and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The mound is about 85 metres across and 13.5 metres high. A passage roughly 19 metres long leads to a central chamber with three alcoves. The monument was used as a passage tomb and is also associated with religious ceremonies. Its scale and careful construction offer plenty to consider before you reach the chamber.
Carved stones and the winter solstice
The stones around the mound include carved designs, with the Entrance Stone among the best-known. Look at the kerbstones and the markings on the stones near the entrance as you approach. The monument’s passage is aligned with the rising sun at the winter solstice. At dawn around the solstice, sunlight reaches through the roof-box above the entrance and illuminates the inner chamber.
The guided visit demonstrates how this light reaches the chamber. It gives you a way to understand the alignment even if you are not visiting at the solstice itself. Entry to the chamber during the annual solstice event is by lottery; applications are made in September.
How the visit works
Access to Newgrange is organized through the Brú na Bóinne visitor centre in Donore. The centre has exhibitions about Neolithic life, the monuments and their construction, as well as a café and gift shop. Allow time to explore the displays before your tour; they can take up to 30 minutes. From the centre, visitors take a shuttle to the monument.
The guided tour explains the site and takes visitors into the passage tomb when their ticket includes chamber access. The passage is tight in places and has sections where you need to crouch. If that would be uncomfortable, consider whether an outside visit is a better fit. Tickets for chamber visits are limited, so booking ahead is sensible. Arrive promptly at the visitor centre for your scheduled departure.
FAQ
How old is Newgrange?
Newgrange was built around 3200 BC, about 5,200 years ago. It is older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Can you go inside Newgrange?
Yes. Guided visits with chamber access take visitors through the narrow passage into the central chamber. Book ahead, as tickets can sell out.
What happens at Newgrange during the winter solstice?
The passage is aligned so that the rising sun at the winter solstice can illuminate the inner chamber. The guided tour demonstrates the effect; entry to the chamber during the annual event is by lottery.
How do you get to the monument?
Begin at the Brú na Bóinne visitor centre in Donore. A shuttle takes visitors from the centre to Newgrange.
