Newgrange solstice event will be livestreamed on shortest day

The Office of Public Works annual Winter Solstice gathering at the Neolithic Passage Tomb of Newgrange on December 21 has been cancelled this year, due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.

However, the Office of Public Works (OPW) plans to live-stream the event so that everyone around the world can experience the phenomenon.

Each year on the Winter Solstice, a ray of light illuminates the Newgrange passage tomb which is 5,000 years old, making it older than the pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

So special is the occurrence that a lottery is usually held each year to allow a lucky few people inside the passage tomb to witness the magical event.

This year however, the hugely significant Solstice Sunrise event will be live-streamed from within the Chamber on Sunday December 20.

"It means everyone will be able to experience this wonderful phenomenon from any location around the world," stated a spokesperson for the OPW.

The live stream will be available on the OPW webpage from 08:45 UTC on Sunday December 20.

Members of the public are advised not to travel to Newgrange on the morning of the Winter Solstice as access to the site will not be facilitated.