Newgrange - Boyne Valley, Ireland

View upon getting there. 

Newgrange, a Stone Age Passage Tomb, was constructed about 5,000 years ago (which according to wikipedia, means that it's over 500 years older than the Great Pyramid in Giza, Egypt and over 1000 years older than Stonehenge. WOW). Honestly, while hearing this and looking at the structure and all of its intricacies, I'm totally in awe of the people all those years ago. The details, which include the entrance way made of stone carved with symbols from their language, the way the structure itself is built and what Newgrange is most known for - the illumination of its passage and chamber during the winter solstice. We weren't there during the winter solstice, obviously, but what I did learn is that there is a lottery in which 100 people can see the light shine through. Unfortunately, over 10,000 applications are sent in to be able to view this - slim chances to see it, but I guarantee what you would see is completely worth it.

What I found most interesting was the origin of all of the stones that the people used to build this huge, kidney shaped structure. Our tour guide (the only way to see this area is to go with a guide) told us that the different stones (which I believe are white quartz and granite) were transported from over 20 kilometres away via the River Boyne. These stones were transported great distances and only then were they placed in these shapes and designs. I don't know, it just seemed like a lot of work and time went into making this.. which I was correct. Our guide then told us that it took about 80 years, or 3 generations to build this. Imagine that! 

IF ONLY.

I honestly wish I could say that this is my own picture, but if you look close enough in the upper right corner, you can totally tell that I would be completely lying... Anyway, this is what the passageway in Newgrange would look like if I were there during the winter solstice. At dawn, from December 19-23, the sun beams through the passageway, slowly illuminating the whole chamber until it hits the back wall. It lasts for about 17 minutes until 9am. It was used as a time-telling device by those who created it, marking the coming of a new year. 

This is the entranceway to the tomb. Definitely had to watch my head a couple of time while walking into the chamber (where we unfortunately could not take pictures) just so that I don't end up like my dad - who hit his head while visiting the Blarney Stone all those years ago. Although, it definitely would have made a pretty good story, because after all, his story is wonderful and I laugh like crazy whenever he tells it. 

If you look at the stone placed in front of the entranceway, you'd notice that there are pretty little spirals (how cute, right?). These spirals were not just for decoration, though. Historians (or rather, our tour guides) speculate that the people who constructed Newgrange engraved a map or description of the area in their own language. They believe that the three concentrated spirals on the left represent Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth (the three largest) while the other spirals could represent the plethora of other ancient tombs that they had created. 

 Just me chillin' in front of the entranceway next to one of the stones, that I believe make up the Great Circle, or what remains of it. I would include a picture of the three AU girls that went on the trip, but unfortunately, that picture is on my friend's camera and hasn't uploaded the pictures yet... eventually though! 

That's all for Newgrange! Hopefully you read through all of it, mostly because it was a history lesson but this place was so cool and being there totally makes a difference in understanding all of this.