{"id":3956,"date":"2014-09-25T19:34:45","date_gmt":"2014-09-25T23:34:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/first2board.com\/carolinatravelgirl\/?p=3956"},"modified":"2014-09-25T19:37:48","modified_gmt":"2014-09-25T23:37:48","slug":"county-meath-ireland-newgrange-passage-tomb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/first2board.com\/carolinatravelgirl\/2014\/09\/25\/county-meath-ireland-newgrange-passage-tomb\/","title":{"rendered":"Passage Tombs of Ireland – Newgrange – County Meath"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ireland’s Fascinating History – Passage Tombs<\/h1>\n
\"River<\/a>

River Boyne – County Meath – Ireland<\/p><\/div>\n

Visiting Ireland should be on everyone’s list, but, as with most European countries, there is so much to see out and away from the major cities. Such is the case with Dublin, an incredible city to be sure, but situated just north of the City is the Boyne River Valley located in County Meath.<\/p>\n

On my second full day in County Meath, I planned to visit Newgrange passage tomb which is located about 30 kilometers northeast of Trim near Slane \u00a0\u00a0I have to admit that one thing I always do when visiting Ireland is arm myself with a GPS (or Sat-Nav) of some sort\u2026otherwise, I find that it is just a little too easy to get turned about on the twisty country roads and roundabouts. Not that I ever mind getting \u2018lost\u2019 because those are some of the best moments of travel. Although I do take the Motorway on occasion when in Ireland, I try my best to stick to the secondary (N) roads as much as possible.<\/p>\n

\"Newgrange<\/a>

Newgrange – Restored Exterior<\/p><\/div>\n

Newgrange is one of a complex of Neolithic mounds,\u00a0chamber tombs,\u00a0standing stones,\u00a0henges<\/a>\u00a0and other prehistoric\u00a0enclosures, some dating from as early as\u00a035th<\/sup>-32nd century BC, predating the Egyptian pyramids. The builders of these sites demonstrated an extensive knowledge of science and astrology. The area is known as\u00a0 Br\u00fa na B\u00f3inne<\/em><\/strong> (Palace of the Boyne) and is located in a hairpin-like bend of the Boyne River and is surrounded on the east, south, and west by the river.<\/p>\n

\"Newgrange<\/a>

Newgrange – Standing Stones<\/p><\/div>\n

Other than at the Winter Solstice, the only way to access Newgrange and Knowth (another passage tomb nearby) is by taking a guided tour from the Br\u00fa na B\u00f3inne Visitors Centre which is located on the south side of the river Boyne. Inside the visitor center, you purchase a ticket for the tour and these are assigned by shuttle times and sold on a first come first serve basis. I was fortunate that I visited in late September and the wait wasn’t too bad, but I was told that often you have to pick up your ticket hours in advance.\u00a0I joined my group, crossed the pedestrian bridge, and boarded a small bus for a short ride to Newgrange, which is located on the north side of the river.<\/p>\n

\"Newgrange<\/a>

Newgrange – County Meath – Ireland<\/p><\/div>\n

Massive, distinct, mysterious \u2013 arriving at the tomb area I found myself gazing up to a huge\u00a0mound of earth graced by what appeared to be a shining wall of white stones. Originally believed to simply be a tomb,\u00a0most of what is believed about the passage tombs of County Meath is based upon legend and folklore and what has been discovered through archaeological digs. Discovered in 1699, it was not until the1969 refurbishment of the site that the connection with the Winter Solstice was established. The complex of Newgrange was originally built between c. 3200 and 3100\u00a0BC.I have to admit that I am awed by being able to visit a significent site that is over 5000 years old! \u00a0Excavations have revealed deposits of both burned and unburned human bone in the passage,lending credence to its use as a burial ground.<\/p>\n

A vast majority of the stones uncovered by archaeologists are covered with megalithic art, including the triple spiral that has come to symbolize ancient Ireland herself.\u00a0This triple spiral is \u00a0featured prominently on the face of the entrance stone.<\/p>\n

\"Newgrange<\/a>

Newgrange \u2013 entrance stone with megalithic art<\/p><\/div>\n

One idea about Newgrange is that the room was designed for a ritualistic capturing of the sun on the shortest day of the year, the Winter Solstice in order to help the days start to get longer again and ensure the coming of Spring. Because similar alignments have been discovered at Knowth, Dowth, and the Lough Crew Cairns, the idea has grown that these tombs were also used as astronomical devices of some sort.<\/p>\n