Newgrange Winter Solstice
Newgrange is one of 40 passage tombs in Brú na Bóinne (meaning the bend of the Boyne River) in County Meath. During sunrise on the Winter Solstice mornings (19 – 23 December each year) a beam of sun light penetrates the roof-box and travels up to 19-metres (62 ft) along the passage, and illuminates the chamber. As the sun rises higher, the beam widens, dramatically lighting up the entire chamber.
Solstice Lottery
Access to the chamber on Solstice mornings is determined by a public lottery each year.
Pupils from local schools have the important job of drawing just 38 lucky winners from the thousands of applications received. Each winner, along with a guest, will have exclusive access to the chamber at Newgrange for sunrise on one of the five solstice mornings from December 19 – 23. The winners are drawn from locations across Ireland and around the globe, including Austria, Canada, the United States, Spain and the UK.
Solstice 2025
If applying by email for Winter Solstice 2025, please include your name, address, country of residence and telephone number. Email your application to brunaboinne@opw.ie
Application forms are also available in the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre.
