Newgrange - Ireland's most magical ancient momument.

Read more: Crowds expected to gather to witness magical winter solstice light ceremony at Newgrange

Tomorrow, December 21st is the winter solstice and shortest day of the year when the inner chamber at Newgrange, a World Heritage site, is flooded with light for just a few minutes at sunrise. This year is particularly special because for the first time in 450 years a a total lunar eclipse will occur at the same time, an omen for much needed new enlightment for Ireland? perhaps.

Pre-dating the pyramids this Irish megalithic structure is that precisely aligned and has stood the test of time as just that, a finely tuned highly accurate, despite the subsequent slight tilting of the earths axis, instrument of time. The rising sun gradually illuminates the carved standing stones of the passage eventually reaching the innermost chamber, for what sacred rite or purpose nobody knows for sure.... I was lucky enough to witness this once upon a time, which seemed to stand still, it was like seeing and breathing liquid gold, not something you would ever forget and a great privilege. Nowadays to be present on the solstice, you have to apply to the national lottery to be in with a chance. Daily public access to the monument is through the excellent Bru na Boinne exhibition centre on the far side of the river. There is a simulation of the soltice but its not the same.....

While weather is always a factor, it has to be perfectly clear for the sun to illuminate the chamber, those in the know, stalwart hippies and archaelogists have noted that while it may not happen perfectly on the exact day it will happen on one of the days either side of the soltice. Which was hugely important back then as it marked the end of the winter or darkness and the return to longer days and brightness as the sun starts to broaden its path on the horizon.

There has been a huge return to these ancient customs and celebrations in Ireland with many people hosting soltice gatherings of their own as we have literally 1000's of other less known monuments with solar and or lunar alignments even though Newgrange inevitably grabs the limelight sorry sunlight on the worlds media stage.

Still it's special, and very much part of our rich, ancient culture and heritage which you really should come and see for yourself.

http://www.irelands-hidden-gems.com/irish-symbols.html

By Susan Byron author of http://www.irelands-hidden-gems.com/

Read more: Crowds expected to gather to witness magical winter solstice light ceremony at Newgrange