Anthony Murphy, webmaster at Mythical Ireland and author of 'Island of the Setting Sun', appeared on The History Channel in the USA on Wednesday, October 19th, as the expert on Newgrange during a programme entitled 'Ancient Aliens and The Secret Code', which is episode 13 of series 3 the very popular show. Filming for the show took place in April of this year. See Anthony from around 11 minutes in the above clip.
Baltray eclipse video: Some of us headed to Baltray to view the total eclipse rising in the Winter Solstice sunrise position but it was obscured by cloud. This didn't prevent photographer Ken Williams from getting some nice pictures of the standing stones there. NEW
Solstice light retreats from Newgrange
Although I have been to Newgrange hundreds of times and despite having written a book about it, I have never had the pleasure of being inside the chamber of Newgrange for Winter Solstice sunrise - until today. This morning, shortly before 9am, I was one of a lucky group gathered at the 5,200-year-old stone monument awaiting the sun's light. And although somewhat dispersed by cloud cover, we did get to see sunlight in the chamber, and then when the clouds cleared we got lovely intense sunlight in the passage just outside the chamber.
It was a very enjoyable experience and an uplifting and calming one too. The presence of snow in the valley only served to enhance the experience for those of us who were there. Our guide, Leontia, was excellent, informative and friendly. We enjoyed her commentary on the phenomenon and also those moments of calm and quiet which she suggested would help us enjoy the moment all the more.
One of the most poignant aspects of the event for me was the idea that light can shine into the darkest places and although Ireland is going through dark times Newgrange is a symbol of hope for the future.
It has survived for over 5,000 years, reinforcing the idea that the Irish people have been around for a long, long time, and we will be around for a long time into the future as well. Best wishes of the Solstice and Christmas season to all of you and may the light of Newgrange inspire you to hope for a better year in 2011. A special mention for film-maker Grant Wakefield - thanks.
NEW SECTION: FILES FROM THE ARCHIVES
During a decade of research for both www.mythicalireland.com and for the book 'Island of the Setting Sun', we gathered a huge amount of material. Photos, drawings, clippings, photocopied articles, old journals, and other memorabilia. As I get the chance I will upload some of this to the Archives section.
This is one of the sun symbols on the aptly named Stone of the Seven Suns at Dowth. This stone, kerb 51, is located on the eastern side of the giant mound.
Orion an "armed king" in ancient Ireland
THE ARMED KING . . . Orion was known as Caomai to the ancient Irish.
Many old books now out of copyright have been appearing on the Google Books site in recent times. Among these is a gloriously detailed and very very lengthy volume of work by Charles Vallencey entitled Collectanea de rebus hibernicus. My attention has been drawn to volume 6, where there is a chapter entitled 'Astronomy of the ancient Irish', stretching to almost 100 pages. Contained within its pages is a treasure trove of information relating to our favourite subject here at Mythical Ireland, ancient astronomy. I intend to digest it and present some of it here over time. I will start with a passage about the constellation Orion.
Vallencey says, "Shortly after, being benighted with a party in the mountains of the western parts of the county of Cork, we lost the path, when an aged cottager undertook to be our guide. It was a fine starry night. In our way, the peasant pointing to the constellation Orion, he said, that was Caomai, or the armed king; and he described the three upright stars to be his spear or sceptre, and the three horizontal stars he said was his sword-belt."
Mythical Ireland Tours
Explore the mythical landscapes and hear the ancient stories and monuments decoded in our new tours of ancient Ireland. Visit the Boyne Valley or tour the High Man's mystic landscape. Click here to read more and for booking information.
"Peace
mounts to the heavens, the heavens descend to earth, earth lies under
the heavens,
everyone is strong . . ." Victory song of the Morrigan,
Book of Fermoy
"In the old time the people used to be looking at the moon and at the sun and the rest of the stars, travelling and ever-travelling, through the day, and at the flowing and ever-flowing of the world's wells and rivers, and at the sadness of the earth and the trance and the sleep of it with the coming of winter, and the rising of the world again with the coming of the summer." Great Wonders of the Olden Time, from Lady Gregory's Saints and Wonders
