Newgrange and Knowth: the "Mound Tombs" of Ireland.

One of the first locations that we saw when we were in Ireland was the "mound tombs" Newgrange and Knowth. Both are located in the Boyne Valley. Called "Brú na Bóinne" in Gaelic, this valley is very important region in Europe. The settlement of the Brú na Bóinne began about 4000 BC, and small villages were located at the sites if Townley Hall and Knowth. Residential structures were circular house built from posts and roofed with thatch or animal skins.

Nine cultural phases are known in Brú na Bóinne, but it is best known for the passage tombs of the Neolithic period. There are 40 passage tombs in the gorgeous emerald valley. The tombs themselves are more than 500 years older than the Egyptian Pyramids, it is also older than the Stonehenge. With clusters at sites such as Knowth, Dowth, Ballincrad, and Newgrange. Some of the tombs are astronomical wonders with an interior sundial engraving, and the passages are aligned so that on the winter solstice the sun pierces the dark chamber and lights the entire room.

Now days, anyone can see this astronomical wonder with the help of electricity. When we were there we had the opportunity to enter Newgrange, single filed with our heads down. As we entered the main chamber, we could see graffiti from the 1700's, names craved into the stone on top of the original spiral carvings.

  Newgrange has a retaining wall at the front and is ringed by 'kerbstones' engraved with artwork. There's no agreement on what the site was used for, but it's been speculated that it had religious significance.

"After its initial use, Newgrange was sealed and it remained so for several millennia, later appearing in Irish mythology and folklore. It first began to be studied by antiquarians in the 17th century AD and archaeological excavations took place at the site over the following centuries. In the 1970s, the front of the monument was reconstructed, although some have questioned this move. [source]"

Entrance to Newgrange in 1905, when the mound had become largely overgrown

While I was wondering around the site, I couldn't help but feel the history and the sacredness of these sights. They are in an extremely beautiful valley, placed high upon the hills. There was a certain air about the place that makes me think of the Fairy Folk of the Old Times. I could almost see the people bustling about and using these gorgeous structures for worship or what ever it was they used them for. I thoroughly enjoyed myself there and wouldn't mind going back!

Here is the link to a site that sells tickets to see Newgrange and Knowth. There is a lot of history on this site! http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/brunaboinnevisitorcentre/


Also, here is a link to a video that I took of our tour guide giving us some information and history on the sites of Newgrange and Knowth! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mONkYc7wWzo

 

This video was taken on top of one of the mounds near Knowth.