Watch Newgrange Winter Solstice Live from Home on 21 December

Watch Newgrange Winter Solstice Live from Home on 21 December

Irish viewers can experience the magical Winter Solstice sunrise at Newgrange without leaving their homes this year, as the Office of Public Works announces a live broadcast on Sunday, 21 December at 8:40 a.m.

The annual phenomenon, where sunlight illuminates the inner chamber of the 5,000-year-old passage tomb for just 17 minutes, will be broadcast live by RTÉ from the UNESCO World Heritage site in County Meath.

The OPW is encouraging people to host coffee mornings with friends and family to watch the event in high definition, rather than attempting to visit the site in person. On-site access will be extremely limited, with entry to the chamber restricted to lottery winners.

Dr. Clare Tuffy and Dr. Frank Prendergast will provide expert narration throughout the broadcast, offering insights into the astronomical significance of this prehistoric monument.

Where to Watch

The livestream will be available on multiple platforms:

• RTÉ Player (rte.ie/player)
• gov.ie/opw
• heritageireland.ie
• OPW's YouTube channel

For Those Planning to Visit

Road closures will be in place on 20 and 21 December around the Brú na Bóinne area. Visitors should check Meath County Council's website for detailed closure maps.

The Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre will open early on solstice mornings from 19 to 23 December, with free admission until 8:30 a.m. On Sunday, 21 December, the centre opens at 6:15 a.m., with the first shuttle bus departing at 6:30 a.m. and the last bus leaving at 8:30 a.m. sharp.

There is no parking at Newgrange itself. All access is via the visitor centre, where limited free parking is available. Carpooling is strongly advised.

Visitors should wear suitable outdoor clothing and footwear. No animals are permitted except registered assistance dogs with appropriate documentation.

About the Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, occurring on 21 or 22 December in the Northern Hemisphere. At Newgrange, direct sunlight enters through a specially designed opening called the 'roof box' above the entrance, illuminating the chamber for 17 minutes at sunrise.

Previous years' broadcasts remain available on the OPW's YouTube channel.