Newgrange - World Heritage Site
Newgrange is a Stone Age (Neolithic) monument in the Boyne Valley, County Meath, it is the jewel in the crown of Ireland's Ancient East. Newgrange was constructed about 5,200 years ago (3,200 B.C.) which makes it older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza. Newgrange is a large circular mound 85 meters (93 yards) in diameter and 13.5 meters (15 yards) high with a 19 meter (21 yard) stone passageway and chambers inside. The mound is ringed by 97 large kerbstones, some of which are engraved with symbols called megalithic art.
Newgrange was built by a farming community that prospered on the rich lands of the Boyne Valley. Knowth and Dowth are similar mounds that together with Newgrange have been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Archaeologists classified Newgrange as a passage tomb, however Newgrange is now recognised to be much more than a passage tomb. Ancient Temple is a more fitting classification, a place of astrological, spiritual, religious and ceremonial importance, much as present day cathedrals are places of prestige and worship where dignitaries may be laid to rest.
Newgrange is a large kidney shaped mound covering an area of over one acre, retained at the base by 97 kerbstones, some of which are richly decorated with megalithic art. The 19 meter long inner passage leads to a cruciform chamber with a corbelled roof. The amount of time and labour invested in construction of Newgrange suggests a well-organized society with specialised groups responsible for different aspects of construction.
Newgrange is part of a complex of monuments built along a bend of the River Boyne known collectively as Brú na Bóinne. The other two principal monuments are Knowth (the largest) and Dowth, but throughout the area there are as many as 35 smaller mounds.
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Visitor Information
Newgrange EntranceVisitor access to Newgrange is only by guided tour from the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre on the south side of the river Boyne. Newgrange is on the north side of the river Boyne, visitors cross the river by pedestrian bridge and take a shuttle bus to Newgrange. There is no direct public access to Newgrange by road, except for mornings around the Winter Solstice, so if using a GPS Satellite Navigation System, your destination is Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre.
Opening Times and Admission charges. Directions to the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre.
Brú na Bóinne Visitor centre is situated on the south side of the River Boyne overlooking the core of the World Heritage Site. It opened in 1997.
The Centre contains exhibitions that describe the society that created the Neolithic tombs, their homes, dress, food, tools and weapons. Great emphasis is placed throughout the Exhibition on the building of the monuments; why they were built: how they were used; where the building stones were found and how these were moved to the site. The audio—visual show deals primarily with the solar alignments in the Boyne Valley. The extensive exhibition also contains a partial full-scale replica of the chamber at Newgrange as well as a replica of one of the smaller sites at Knowth.
To successfully log this Virtual Geocache :
At the given co-ords you are at the picture above and when there please take a picture .
using any of the 4 beatles poses (pic below) and upload it with your log , no need to show your face , your back turned facing the entrance with the pose will suffice .
have fun choosing which pose , maybe choose your favourite Beatle , enjoy your visit.
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**** (you must visit the tomb - no outside pics will be accepted , you can send me a private picture sent to me via geo mail if you dont want to appear online ( no need for both) ****
{ Warning logs without pictures will be deleted - only fair if others do it properly }
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