Winter Solstice 2016 in The Boyne Valley
Wednesday marked the shortest day of 2016 and as is tradition, crowds gathered at Newgrange Neolithic Passage tomb in The Boyne Valley early in the morning to celebrate the event.
With a clear sky, the rising sun illuminates the inner chamber of the passage tomb. Unfortunately, cloudy conditions prevented the illumination from occurring but that failed to dampen the spirits of revellers outside.
Come evening, many of the same people relocated the short distance to Dowth Passage tomb to watch the sun set over The Boyne Valley. The setting sun illuminates the South chamber of the passage tomb. The Office of Public Works (POW) open the passage to the public for one hour to view the illumination.
Winter Solstice 2017 at Newgrange Passage TombWinter Solstice 2016 at Newgrange Passage Tomb
Winter Solstice 2017 at Newgrange Passage TombWinter Solstice 2016 at Newgrange Passage Tomb
Winter Solstice 2017 at Newgrange Passage TombWinter Solstice 2016 at Newgrange Passage Tomb
Winter Solstice 2016 at Dowth Passage TombCrowds gather to watch the setting sun at Dowth Passage Tomb in The Boyne Valley, County Meath on Winter Solstic evening - December 21st 2016
Winter Solstice 2016 at Dowth Passage TombCrowds gather to watch the setting sun at Dowth Passage Tomb in The Boyne Valley, County Meath on Winter Solstic evening - December 21st 2016
Winter Solstice 2016 at Dowth Passage TombCrowds gather to watch the setting sun at Dowth Passage Tomb in The Boyne Valley, County Meath on Winter Solstic evening - December 21st 2016
Winter Solstice 2016 at Dowth Passage TombCrowds gather to watch the setting sun at Dowth Passage Tomb in The Boyne Valley, County Meath on Winter Solstic evening - December 21st 2016
Winter Solstice 2016 at Dowth Passage TombCrowds gather to watch the setting sun at Dowth Passage Tomb in The Boyne Valley, County Meath on Winter Solstic evening - December 21st 2016
Winter Solstice 2016 at Dowth Passage TombCrowds gather to watch the setting sun at Dowth Passage Tomb in The Boyne Valley, County Meath on Winter Solstic evening - December 21st 2016
Winter Solstice 2016 at Dowth Passage TombCrowds gather to watch the setting sun at Dowth Passage Tomb in The Boyne Valley, County Meath on Winter Solstic evening - December 21st 2016
Winter Solstice 2016 at Dowth Passage TombCrowds gather to watch the setting sun at Dowth Passage Tomb in The Boyne Valley, County Meath on Winter Solstic evening - December 21st 2016
Winter Solstice 2016 at Dowth Passage TombCrowds gather to watch the setting sun at Dowth Passage Tomb in The Boyne Valley, County Meath on Winter Solstic evening - December 21st 2016
Winter Solstice 2016 at Dowth Passage TombCrowds gather to watch the setting sun at Dowth Passage Tomb in The Boyne Valley, County Meath on Winter Solstic evening - December 21st 2016
Winter Solstice 2016 at Dowth Passage TombCrowds gather to watch the setting sun at Dowth Passage Tomb in The Boyne Valley, County Meath on Winter Solstic evening - December 21st 2016
Winter Solstice 2016 at Dowth Passage TombCrowds gather to watch the setting sun at Dowth Passage Tomb in The Boyne Valley, County Meath on Winter Solstic evening - December 21st 2016