1. Newgrange and Irish Celtic History/Culture
By: Sam Scherrer
Irelandseye.com
OíKelly, Michael J Newgrange: Archaeology, Art and Legend
Sacred-sites.org

2. Newgrange Cross section of Newgrange’s interior
Built in approx BC (400 years older than the pyramids!)
Thought to be mausoleum, but religious site is more likely
At the winter solstice, light from the sun shines through the roofbox and illuminates the interior.
Entrance with roofbox and carved megaliths

3. Newgrange Outer wall of Newgrange is lined with white quartzite stone
Newgrange with restored façade
Outer wall of Newgrange is lined with white quartzite stone
Corbel structured roof
Hasn’t leaked in 5000 years! (Yet the visitor center roof leaked in ten)
My brother contemplating the
inner sanctum of Newgrange

4. Hill of Tara: Mound of the Hostages
Passage-tomb (like Newgrange)
Used as a burial chamber and for hostage exchange
Remains of at least 200 cremations discovered inside along with “grave goods”
Mound of the Hostages

5. Hill of Tara: Lia Fáil Also known as the “Stone of Destiny”
All Irish kings were inaugurated here until approx. 500 AD
Stands in the middle of Tara
Said to have magic powers

6. Hill of Tara: Faerie Tree
Faeries are said to live in lone Hawthorne trees (such as the one pictured)
Faeries can heal you or a relative and bring luck to your children
However, they require gifts. No gifts = Seriously angry Faeries

7. The Sacred Boyne River Approx. 70 miles long
Historical, archaeological, AND mythical connotations
Flows Northeast, near Newgrange and Tara
Site of the Battle of the Boyne

8. Why so sacred? Created by the Goddess Boann, from the Well of Wisdom
The Irish God Nechtan was the keeper of the well. Only he and his cup-bearers were allowed to approach it
Boann approached it anyway, and challenged the wells power by circling it three times counterclockwise
Well water surged up from the well and chased Boann to the sea, forming the river, and drowning her as well.