merrion street

Minister of State Brian Hayes TD, today announced details of live streaming for this year’s winter solstice illumination at Newgrange passage tomb.

The Minister said ‘I am delighted to announce that this year the winter solstice event at Newgrange will again be streamed live to the world on the OPW’s Heritage Ireland website,

.  The event is being filmed by RTÉ and will also be streamed live on the RTÉ website at

  ,  RTE Player News Now and RTÉ News app for iPhone”.

The Minister continued: “In addition to streaming the event live on the web, RTÉ will be providing a live free to air broadcast of the event for any television networks who wish to air it. The illumination of the passage tomb is one of the country’s most significant and important cultural events and we know, from experience, that it is enjoyed by many thousands of people all over the world. Unfortunately, the last couple of years have been badly affected by adverse weather, which has led to us not having sunlight in the chamber, so this year we are hoping for clear skies next week”. 

The Minister concluded by giving details of traffic arrangements for those planning on attending the event: “The morning of the winter solstice is always very popular with visitors. We regularly have a large crowd at the monument for sunrise and to welcome the new year.   For visitors who wish to access the Newgrange monument directly next Wednesday, all access from the N51 will only be from the Rossin road (at the turn at Smiths shop).   There will be no access beyond the Dowth junction so all visitors will have to walk to the site from there.  In addition, for those travelling to the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, it is important to note that the best access to the Centre, at the moment,  is from the M1, through the village of Donore.  The L1600 from just outside Slane is currently closed for roadworks so there is limited access to the Visitor Centre from the Slane side. Please check the Heritage Ireland website for comprehensive travel details”. 

A detailed map and travel advice is available at: