ミースの天然記念物・トップ11

Underground secrets... Newgrange isn't the only passage tomb in Ireland, of course. There are two more in Brú na Bóinne. Along with the nearby Knowth and Dowth tombs, Newgrange has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. Not bad for a site that was once doomed to become a quarry! Nearby, at Oldcastle in County Meath, you'll find a lesser-known collection of passage tombs. Around a handful of hills in Loughcrew are several cairns dating back to around 3200 BC. More mysterious and difficult to reach, exploring them is even more like Indiana Jones. If you get the feeling you're being watched, you might be right. About 60km away, on the summit of Slieve Gullion in County Armagh, the passage of another tomb points directly towards Loughcrew. The two cairns at Slieve Gullion are located on either side of the summit lake. The southern grave is said to be aligned with the sunset on the winter solstice. In good weather you can even see Dublin Bay from here. (Source: https://www.ireland.com/de-de/magazine/built-heritage/newgrange/)

5,000 years. That makes Newgrange older than Stonehenge. It's also older than the Egyptian pyramids. But over the past five millennia, the passage tomb has lost none of its fascination. But let's start from the beginning: There is no direct access to Newgrange. If you're driving, don't let your sat nav take you to Brú na Bóinne/Boyne Valley (latitude 53.694567, longitude 6.4463). The visitor center there sells tickets and you can take a shuttle bus for a guided tour. If you don't have a car, that's no problem either: you can book a day trip from Dublin. Arriving at the iconic tomb is an overwhelming experience. You stand in front of an 80m wide mound, lined with decorated stones and covered in white Wicklow quartzite. A guide tells you about the myths and history behind the landmark. Newgrange could have been a tomb or a temple. Nobody knows for sure. The truth will remain hidden forever. (Source:https://www.ireland.com/de-de/magazine/built-heritage/newgrange/)

Newgrange was built by a farming community that prospered on the fertile soils of the Boyne Valley. Knowth and Dowth are similar mounds that, along with Newgrange, have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Archaeologists classified Newgrange as a passage tomb, but today Newgrange is recognized as much more than a passage tomb. The term "ancient temple" is more accurate, a place of astrological, spiritual, religious and ceremonial significance, just as today's cathedrals are places of prestige and worship where dignitaries can be laid to rest. Newgrange is a large kidney-shaped mound covering an area of over an acre, supported at the base by 97 kerbstones, some of which are richly decorated with megalithic art. The 19 m (62 ft) long inner passage leads to a cruciform chamber with a corbelled roof. The amount of time and effort that went into building Newgrange suggests a well-organized society with specialized groups responsible for different aspects of construction. Newgrange is part of a complex of monuments built along a bend in the River Boyne, commonly known as Brú na Bóinne. The other two main monuments are Knowth (the largest) and Dowth, but there are up to 35 smaller mounds throughout the area. (Source: https://www.newgrange.com/)

interesting @Christian427: I was there with a friend in 1995. We were even able to spend the night on the lawn next door. A great experience with a couple and in the morning after breakfast together we went on a tour of Newgrange. Today we were there: a mega visitor center, but with (entrance fee: 5 euros) it was quite OK and really well prepared. However, we were on our way back to Dublin and the next bus didn't leave for 1.5 hours later. It would not be possible to visit from the inside, only from the outside (according to the lady at the ticket office). The shuttle bus tour would be just over 50 minutes and with a stopover around 2 hours (but can only be booked online in advance). You don't have to/can't book the visitor center alone online.

I was in Newgrange and Knoth in 1994. Back then, I could drive to Newgrange, park my bike right at the entrance to the complex and buy a ticket in a small house for little money - it was that simple. By 2017, that was no longer possible - just drive there. There was a visitor center, located south of Newgrange - with a lot of admission and bus transfer to Newgrange and Knoth. It is possible to book just Newgrange or just Knoth - or both together. Everything was planned out - small groups and a tour every half hour... I got a sticker on my jacket - it told me when it was my turn and which bus I had to get on... The same thing happened in Newgrange - small groups - clearly organized who was next when... The bus transfer to Knoth too - my group was given 10 minutes to walk around the complex on their own - the bus then drove on. Knoth turned out great - the whole thing has been beautifully restored! In 1994, Knoth was still a construction site - there was nothing to see there. Unfortunately, there was only a short time to walk around on my own here - the bus was already ready for the return trip to the visitor center... But it was nice! I'll definitely come back again!

The World Heritage Property of Brú na Bóinne is Ireland’s richest archaeological landscape and is situated within a bend in the River Boyne. Brú na Bóinne is famous for the spectacular prehistoric passage tombs of Knowth, Newgrange and Dowth which were built circa 3200BC. These ceremonial structures are among the most important Neolithic sites in the world and contain the largest collection of megalithic art in Western Europe. (https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/bru-na-boinne-visitor-centre-newgrange-knowth-and-dowth/)

The Hill of Tara has been important since the late Stone Age, when a passage tomb was built there. However, the site became truly significant in the Iron Age (600 BC to 400 AD) and into the Early Christian Period when it rose to supreme prominence – as the seat of the high kings of Ireland. All old Irish roads lead to this critical site. St Patrick himself went there in the fifth century. As Christianity achieved dominance over the following centuries, Tara’s importance became symbolic. Its halls and palaces have now disappeared and only earthworks remain. There are still remarkable sights to be seen, however. Just one example is the Lia Fáil – the great coronation stone and one of the four legendary treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann – which stands proudly on the monument known as An Forradh. https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/hill-of-tara/

Office of Public Works (Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre (Newgrange and Knowth), 2023-12-22): https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/bru-na-boinne-visitor-centre-newgrange-and-knowth/ “… Dowth … Visitors wishing to see Dowth can access the exterior of the monument directly via the N51. There is no access via the Visitor Centre.” Wikipedia (Newgrange (Irish: Sí an Bhrú), 2023-12-22): https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dowth https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dowth Wikipedia (List of National Monuments in County Meath, 2023-12-22): https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Monuments_in_County_Meath “National Monument 652 … Dowth Passage Tomb …” TheIrishRoadTrip ("A Guide To Visiting The Ancient Dowth In Meath”, 2023-12-22): https://www.theirishroadtrip.com/dowth/ “… 3. Parking (warning!) …”