Newgrange Tumulus

The great mound of Newgrange, 85m in max. dim. and 11m H, is delimited by a megalithic kerb. It covers a cruciform passage-tomb, 24m long, opening to SE. The chamber is roofed with a fine corbelled vault. There are two stone basins in NE recess; the others contain single basins. The 'roof box' above, some 2.4m back from the passage entrance, permits rays of the rising sun at midwinter solstice to penetrate to the chamber. Many of the kerb stones and a great number of the structural stones of the passage and chamber bear megalighic art. A circle of standing stones (ME019-045005-) surrounds the mound, and three small passage-tombs (ME019-046001-, ME019-046003--, ME019-044004-) are in close proximity to it. The monument was excavated between 1962 and 1975 (O'Kelly 1982). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 10 July 2007

Neolithic passage tomb, dating to approximately 3200–2900 BCE. Newgrange is a significant prehistoric monument, renowned for its sophisticated architecture and alignment with the winter solstice.