Barrow — stepped barrow in Newgrange

Situated on a lower terrace on the S-facing slope of Newgrange ridge within Brú na Bóinne. It was recorded by Claire O’Kelly (1978, 50) as a circular ploughed out mound and designated A1. Images taken by Anthony Murphy using a drone-mounted camera in winter sunlight, and others taken by the National Monuments Service in the drought conditions of 2018 reveal the monument to be a circular area (int. diam. c. 20m) with an internal mound. The central platform is separated by a berm from an inner bank, which is separated by a second berm from an outer bank. The outer bank appears to have an external fosse (max. ext. diam. 39m E-W; 38m N-S), and the berms between the banks are wider at SW so that the central mound is displaced to the NE. The earthwork is probably a stepped barrow. (Condit and Keegan 2018, 91-2, Figs 83-85) See attached Google Earth aerial photograph taken 05 October 2009, and photographs taken on 13th July 2018   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: 08 October 2025