Newgrange and Monasterboice

What is Newgrange about?

             Our group recently visited Newgrange and Monasterboice. Newgrange is located in the river valley Brú na Bóinne along with other passage tombs such as Knowth and Doth. Newgrange is an ancient burial site that predates Stonehenge by over 1,000 years and the pyramids at Giza by over 600 years. It was supposedly built around 3,200 BC and took around 50-100 years to build. Due to an average lifespan of 20-30 years, it may have taken four generations to complete.

Who? When?

                        In 1699, landowner Charles Campbell discovered Newgrange when he needed some stone for construction. From 1962-1975, Professor Michael J O’Kelly and his team formally excavated Newgrange. O’Kelly also designed the reconstruction of the white quartz façade because the many of the pieces had fallen to the ground.

What did it look like? Why was it important? 

             Newgrange is most famous for its entrance stone that contains the triple spiral, one of the common motifs in megalithic art. It is one of the most photographed stones in the world. The site is also famous for its kerb stones made of grey wacke, a grey-green sandstone that forms the foundation blocks of the tomb. These also have designs, but most have faded with time. These kerb stones, most weighing two to four tons, were carried from 3-5 kilometers north and east of the site. This process most likely used rafts to float the stones down the river and logs to roll them uphill to the construction site.

            Newgrange was not just a passage tomb. It also served as a permanent home for the spirits of dead ancestors. In addition to this belief, the Neolithic people also greatly feared the sun deity because of his influence on their crops and way of life. The monument also served as a place for ritual worship at key times during the year. One such occasion was the Winter Solstice. Historians hold this belief due to the manner of the site’s construction. After entering the tomb, a 19-meter long passage the leads to the main chamber. The passage slopes up two meters, bringing it to the same level as the rectangular opening above the door. This is important because when the sun rises on the Winter Solstice, the sun’s rays partially illuminate the main burial chamber in a unique way. During our visit, we were able to enter the chamber. Once inside, the guide turned off the lights and simulated the light of the sunrise on the Winter Solstice.     

            Another key feature of the tomb is the corbeled roof of the chamber. The stones are fitted together so that the rain runs of the roof, keeping the chamber perfectly dry.  We could tell even though it wasn’t raining because the air was quite dry inside the tomb.

            We thought it was incredible how people five thousand years ago, without the use of modern tools and technology, could cut and haul extremely heavy stones from kilometers away and thus construct this site.

Where is it?

             Boyne River Valley, County Meath, Ireland

How does Newgrange relate to Ireland in the past and present? 

             Newgrange shows how religion and honoring the dead has always been an important part of Irish culture. In addition, the way the Neolithic people respected the sun highlights the importance of agriculture through time. People still visit this site even though it was built over 5,000 years ago. Something that we took away from this visit was how people turn to a higher power. No matter where people are from, no matter their skin color or their beliefs, people search for meaning in their lives. The Neolithic people may have found this meaning in the sun, or something else. Either way, their beliefs compelled them to build something that took four generations. This incredible feat shows the lengths that people will go to when moved. This site is truly beautiful because of the passion behind it.

What did our group think of Newgrange?

            The Neolithic people built this site out of stone, possibly hoping that it would still be around 5,000 years later. Because this construction, we were able to stand in the same place that the original builders stood. Hopefully, Newgrange will stand for another 5,000 years so that future generations can see this masterpiece.

(Aerial View of Newgrange. Don't worry, we didn't fly. We got this picture from the Internet.)

(What the log-rolling system could have been. Photo Credit: Ethan)

(The entrance to the mound at Newgrange. Photo Credit: Kelly) 

Highlights from Monasterboice:

            The other site we visited was Monasterboice. Monasterboice is a small monastic site that includes a round tower, a church, a cemetery, and a few of the tallest high crosses in Ireland. The south cross, also known as Muirdach’s Cross, is a true work of art. At 5.5 meters tall, it depicts Biblical stories, including Adam and Eve and David and Goliath. The tallest high cross in Ireland is the West Cross, coming in at a height of 6.5 meters.

            Saint Buithe, who is said to have raised the son of King Nectan from the dead, founded the site. In return Buithe received his own church. In 500 AD, he founded a school at Monasterboice.          

            Monasterboice is similar to Glendalough in its importance and significance. It was a center of spirituality and learning, and continues to be a site of religious history. We loved the intricate designs on the crosses, especially the humor of the artist. One panel depicts two monks pulling on each other’s beards. Celtic crosses have not lost their significance over time: they remain a unique symbol to Ireland.

(The Round Tower and West Cross at Monasterboice. Photo Credit: Kelly) 

(The Monaster-boyz of Greystones at Monasterboice. From top (l-r): Emma, Katy, Bridget, Erica, Kelly, Ethan. Photo Credit: Katy)