Newgrange

The circular pie-shaped mound of Newgrange
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I met Maeri while climbing Mount Mulanji in Malawi and we remained in touch. The Irish Tourism board had done such a good job of promoting the place that I decided to spend 12 days visiting while I was in England. April was not a good choice, I had forgotten about April showers! Of the 12 days spent there, I had 1 1/2 days without rain and grey skies.

Maeri met me at Dublin airport and drove me through the enormous park before taking me to her home, which she shares with her sister.

Newgrange, more ancient than the Pyramids of Giza

(sorry it's on it's side, don't know how to change it!)
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Next day she drove me northeast of Dublin to Newgrange, discovered in 1699 and more ancient than the Egyptian Pyramids. From the Interpretive Centre, we crossed the river where our group was taken by bus to the circular pie-shaped mound. At 80m diameter and 13m high, it was built on a loop of the meandering River Boyne.

Climbing steps over the entrance kerbstone, carved with elaborate spirals, we followed the 19m passage, passing under the roof box. This leads to a cruciform tomb chamber with three recesses and in these are large basin stones that held burial remains. On December 21^st, the winter solstice, the roof box allows the rising sun’s rays to illuminate the passage before reaching the tomb.