Newgrange

Newgrange is the largest of the three tombs in the Boyne Valley. It consists of a roughly heart-shaped mound of turf and stones some 295ft/90m in diameter and 36ft/11m high, with a retaining curb of horizontal slabs. The vertical retaining wall is a reconstruction of the original based on the results of archaeological investigation. A few yards outside the curb there was originally a ring of 38 pillar stones, of which 12 survive.

The entrance to the tomb, marked by a curbstone on the southeast side with carved spiral decoration, leads into a narrow passage 66ft/20m long formed of 43 uprights between 5 and 8ft/1.5 and 2.4m high and roofed with massive lintels. At the end of the passage is the main tomb chamber, with a 20ft/6m high vaulted roof. The structure is so designed that the sun shines directly into the chamber at the winter solstice. Three side chambers open off the main chamber giving the tomb a cruciform plan. Many of the stones are carved with spirals, lozenges, wave patterns, snake-like designs or zigzag ornaments, which contribute to the powerful effect of the whole. The tomb was constructed with great precision, so that in the course of 5,300 years there has been no penetration of rainwater.

Beside the parking lot is an exhibition center giving background information on the tomb.