Winter Solstice sunrise from Newgrange set to be live-streamed across the world

The Winter Solstice sunrise will stream live again this year from inside the passage tomb at Newgrange, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has announced.

The Winter Solstice is an astronomical phenomenon which marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice occurs on 21 or 22 December, when the sun shines directly over the tropic of Capricorn. 

People across the world are invited to tune into this phenomenal event, which can be viewed live on gov.ie/opw and heritageireland.ie.

At sunrise on the shortest day of the year, for 17 minutes, direct sunlight can enter the Newgrange monument to illuminate the Chamber, not through the doorway, but through the specially contrived small opening above the entrance known as the ‘roof box’.

The OPW in partnership with the National Monuments Services (NMS) of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is delighted to announce the livestream from the Neolithic site on 21st December. 

Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan, TD, said: “This exciting event will allow us to watch the passing of the longest night of the year from every corner of the globe. Experiencing this significant solar event allows us to connect with our Neolithic ancestors as we watch in awe of the skills and knowledge of a time past.” 

The solar alignment of the passage tomb to face the rising sun on winter solstice is an astronomical finding of global importance. Originally re-discovered by Professor Michael J. O’Kelly in 1967, other researchers have, since then validated O’Kelly’s interpretation, giving it scientific credibility and meaning. 

Rosemary Collier, Head of Heritage Services and Capital Works Delivery in the Office of Public Works said: “Every year, the Winter Solstice attracts much attention at our UNESCO World Heritage Property at Newgrange. People gather at the ancient tomb to wait and watch the illumination of the passage tomb, just as people did 5,000 years ago. 

“The OPW and NMS are delighted to welcome lottery winners in person, to join in this experience that our ancestors have enjoyed for millennia. We are delighted also that we can invite people from all over the world to share in this event with us, by watching the live-stream online and on television.”