Wherever you were in the world you can experience the magic of Newgrange on the winter solstice because in 2017 it was live streamed via Facebook.

Irish Tourism and the Office of Public Works teamed up in 2017 to ensure that wherever people were, in Ireland or around the world, they could experience the magic of the winter solstice at Newgrange through a unique livestream from the ancient monument.

Built by Stone Age farmers 5,200 years ago, Newgrange, which is in the Boyne Valley, is older than the pyramids at Giza in Egypt.

Read more: The magic of the tombs at Newgrange on this day the winter solstice

The site is best known for the way the sun illuminates passage up the chamber on the shortest days of the year, around the winter solstice. Above the entrance to the passage is an opening called a roof-box. 

On mornings around the winter solstice, a beam of light penetrates the roof-box and travels up the 19-metre (62') passage and into the chamber. As the sun rises higher, the beam widens so that the whole chamber is dramatically illuminated.

Now a worldwide audience can witness this magic annual event, illustrating the genius of the Neolithic farmers.

Have you ever visited Newgrange? Have you ever been so lucky to be there during the winter solstice?