Winter Solstice celebrated around the world through captivating livestream event

Over 2,000 people gathered at Newgrange for the Winter Solstice - the astronomical phenomenon that marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year.

Despite the sun finally breaking through the cloud this morning, it was too late to fully illuminate the Neolithic tomb's central chamber but that did not dampen the spirits of the larger than usual crowd in attendance.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) welcomed this year’s lottery winners, drawn from thousands of hopefuls to experience the spectacular Winter Solstice sunrisefrom within the Chamber at Newgrange.

The lucky few hailed from near and far, including winners from Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Kilkenny and Meath as well as Austria and USA. In addition to the lottery winners, viewers from across the globe tuned in to view the event through the livestream link which was organised in collaboration with our colleagues in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

This morning, the sky was bright and clear, viewers got to experience the phenomenon of sunlight entering the monument through the roof box and along the passage to illuminate the chamber inside. Outside the monument, the usual joyful atmosphere of the Solstice could be felt, as hundreds gathered to celebrate.

Rosemary Collier, OPW Head of Heritage Services and Capital Works Delivery said: “I am delighted to be here today to welcome the Winter Solstice lottery winners to Newgrange and to welcome all those tuning in via our livestream link. Visitors and viewers witnessed first-hand this archaeological phenomenon. The Winter Solstice is a time of reflection and renewal and marks a very significant and special occasion. This is a time where we bid farewell to the long dark evenings and welcome a bright beginning for the year ahead.”

What is the Winter Solstice?

The Winter Solstice is an astronomical phenomenon which marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice occurs on December 21 or 22, when the sun shines directly over the tropic of Capricorn. At Sunrise on the shortest day of the year, for 17 minutes, direct sunlight can enter the Newgrange monument, not through the doorway, but through the specially contrived small opening above the entrance known as the ‘roof box’, to illuminate the Chamber.