Newgrange

Once again the Winter Solstice illumination of the Newgrange Chamber is to be broadcast live on the internet. It follows the first webcast last year which was an outstanding success, marred only by the fact that 300,000 people tried to see it at once and some people were unable to view the event.

It gives those who are unable to make it to Ireland, or indeed those not lucky enough to be in the chamber on the morning, an opportunity to witness this 5,000-year-spectacle.

Newgrange was constructed around 3150BC by Neolithic farmers who had a cosmic world view and who attempted to enshrine their beliefs in monumental fashion along the banks of the Boyne. Their endeavours resulted from a crossover between science and spirituality, and ultimately saw the destination of the soul as being fixed among the stars. The evidence for this is persuasive. For more information on the cosmic purpose of Newgrange, read Island of the Setting Sun - In Search of Ireland's Ancient Astronomers.

To view an archive of footage from last year's solstice webcast, click here.

Alternatively, you can see a compilation of last year's solstice broadcast made by Victor Reijs by viewing this YouTube video: