Built around 3,200 B.C., these passage tombs are older than Stonehenge and the Great pyramids of Giza! Our visit started at the visitor center where you take a bus first to Knowth then to Newgrange.
There are quite a few of the passage tomb mounds at Knowth. These tombs are constructed of rock with a grass-covered roof and the whole thing is supported by giant engraved curbstones that circle the tomb mound. (the roof is now supported by concrete to prevent caving in)
Newgrange is the only passage tomb you can enter and you go into it in small groups of about 10 people at a time with a guide. The people who constructed the tombs knew the importance of the sun in their lives and for their crops, they may have even been sun worshippers - no one knows. There are posts outside the tomb at Knowth that align with the sun and doorway at the winter solstice. At Newgrange the rising sun on winter solstice shines over the top of the hill across the valley, lines up with the window above the portal door, and shines into the farthest part of the passage tomb to light up the basin there. Very Indiana Jones-like stuff! You're allowed to go in with the guide but are not allowed to take photos inside. The passage is pretty narrow in a couple of spots and we had to turn sideways to squeeze through. The roof is made of layers of stone with NO mortar at all between them. I'll admit to being slightly uncomfortable upon hearing that. It was a great day and very enjoyable, especially since it was a nice sunny day and NO wind!
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