PTM // Visit to Newgrange - Donore, Ireland!
Cheers from Dublin!,
Today was actually one of the first days that I woke up and I wasn’t tired. I guess you could say I finally got my first full nights sleep last night since I arrived in Ireland. I usually have no issues with sleeping although I will admit that when you’ve slept in four different beds in the last week you really feel the effects. Whether its a stiff neck, stiff back, or whatever. Either way I’m fine and I’m really enjoying my trip so far. I feel like I had a very productive week up in Galway so now I’m in relaxed mode up here in Dublin before I head off to London to start my Contiki Trip on the 11th of May.
My uncle took the day off today so that he could bring me out and do a few things since it was my first day back in Dublin since December of 2006. We slept in a bit and were in no rush to leave the house, it was a nice feeling. Once we got showered and ready we headed off to Newgrange.
Newgrange is an ancient tomb that was built in c.3300-2900 BC. Do the math, and that makes it over 5000 years old! It also predates the Great Pyramid of Giza and Stonehenge by between 500-1000 years. Quite amazing if you ask me! Newgrange is located in Donore, Co. Meath which is about a 30 minute drive from Dublin. Upon arriving at the Newgrange visitors centre we took a look around at the exhibits to get a sneak peek at what exactly we would be seeing on the guided tour ahead of us. Once we took a spin around the exhibit we headed off to the bus port so that we could catch our 1:15 bus tour out to the Newgrange tomb which is about a mile from the Newgrange Visitor centre.
As we got off of the bus, the huge mound of Newgrange was straight ahead. We waited for about 5 minutes and then our tour guide met us and we followed him up to the structure. He then began to give us an introduction to Newgrange as we stood in front of its really cool looking entrance. I took video of the whole experience at Newgrange and that should be posted here on PTM within the next day or two. Be sure to check it out, it’s really interesting!
After the guide explained some more background information about the tomb we were taken into the actual tomb itself. It was so cool. In the beginning you had to crouch down pretty low just to get in the front door of it. Then at some points in the tunnel you had to turn your body and walk sort of sideways to get through its narrow passage ways.
After walking into the tomb via the tunnel (about 60 ft) we arrived at the center of the tomb. This is where we were informed about when and how the sunlight shines through the entrance way. Only once a year does the sun shine through the tunnel into the tomb for around 17 minutes and it illuminates the floor leading into the chamber.
Unfortunately before we headed into the tomb I was told that I was not allowed to take any photos or videos inside but I was at the end of the line so I took some footage anyways. You’ll see some of the footage in the Newgrange video and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
Overall, I would say that Newgrange is something that you cannot miss if you’re in Dublin. Newgrange is full of really cool facts, history and even some mystery on exactly how the inhabitants created something to advanced for its time. I mean, if you simply hear some of the facts that the tour guide explains about Newgrange in the video, you’ll understand exactly what I’m talking about.
After the tour of Newgrange my uncle and I headed into Dublin and had some lunch. Then we headed over to my grandmother’s place, she lives one block from the city centre so it’s really convenient!
Tonight we’re lounging in and we just had a nice dinner. Now I’m doing what I usually do at night, write, edit videos, and upload photos. It’s never ending!
Until next time…
