May-2022
Prehistoric Ireland :: Brú na Bóinne
Brú na Bóinne, which means the ‘palace’ or the ‘mansion’ of the Boyne, refers to the area within the bend of the River Boyne which contains one of the world’s most important prehistoric landscapes.
Newgrange, Ireland’s best known Neolithic tomb and was built during the Neolithic period around 3000 BC to 2500 BC, making it older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids!
Newgrange contains various examples of Megalithic Art including circles, spirals, arcs, chevrons and lozenges, radials. One of the most notable examples of art at Newgrange is the triskele-like features found on the entrance stone.
Archaeologists classified Newgrange as a passage tomb, however Newgrange is now recognized to be much more than a passage tomb. Ancient Temple is a more fitting classification, a place of astrological, spiritual, religious and ceremonial importance.
Newgrange is best known for the illumination of its passage and chamber by the winter solstice sun. On the mornings around the winter solstice, the rising sun shines directly along the long passage into the chamber for about 17 minutes and illuminates the chamber floor. (Unfortunately, no pictures were permitted inside.)
The Brú na Bóinne area encompasses 90 other archaeological sites, and Newgrange belongs to a more substantial complex within the Boyne Valley that includes around 35 tombs. Two sites which are less well-known but undoubtedly worth visiting are Knowth and Dowth.
(Disclosure: Burbs2Abroad traveled to the above locations as guests and was not compensated for this review. As always, our opinions are our own.) Time of Year Visited: June 2017
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