For the first time ever, you won't need to buy a ticket to witness the Winter Solstice at Newgrange.
This year, anyone and everyone from anywhere in the world will be able to watch as light fills the passage tomb at Newgrange, on the shortest day of the year, as the event will be streamed online.
The event is set to be live streamed at 8:30am to 9:15am this Wednesday and Thursday, and can be watched on Ireland's Ancient East YouTube channel.
Minister of State for Tourism and sport, Brendan Griffin welcomed the initiative, saying: "This is a fantastic way to share the unique magic of Newgrange with a much larger audience."
"It is also a great way to highlight the type of compelling history and heritage that Ireland offers as a destination."
Sunrise this morning created a wonderful illumination on the passageway of Newgrange. The countdown is on, only 5 days to the live streaming of the Winter Solstice. which can be viewed on https://t.co/LQkZKgcw6i Fingers crossed for good weather. #irelandancienteast #solstice2017 pic.twitter.com/LYaX3koQp7
— OfficeofPublicWorks (@opwireland) December 15, 2017
Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran said: “Newgrange nestled in the Boyne Valley is an important historical site in Ireland's Ancient Heritage which attracted over 207,000 visitors in 2016."
He added: "Our annual Winter Solstice Lottery received over 33,000 applications to witness this event with winners from as far as Austria, Italy, Switzerland and the United States of America, showing the continuing fascination the Solstice has the world over."
Newgrange to have its widest ever audience on shortest day of the year as we team up with @opwireland for Innovative live streaming of winter #Solstice2017 at #Newgrange Sign up to experience the magic.. @rtenews https://t.co/fVDr8miJPx pic.twitter.com/SnUL4Iv7l5
— Fáilte Ireland (@Failte_Ireland) December 17, 2017
Those interested in watching the event online are encouraged to subscribe to the channel in advance, in order to get prompted to tune in at the right times.
The livestream will also be available to watch from the Ireland's Ancient East website.
