The tumulus at Newgrange is
even older than the Pyramids of Giza. Drogheda is an historic Norman town situated on the east coast of Ireland 50km north of Dublin. The name comes from the Gaelic "Droichead Atha", which means "Bridge at the Ford". The River Boyne passes through Drogheda and it was here, at its narrowest point that the town was built. Today the town is a busy expanding area with a population of over 30,000.
Every important phase of Irish History is embedded in its surroundings-
The tumulus at Newgrange is
even older than the Pyramids of Giza. There are remains of the Stone,
Bronze & Iron Ages throughout. The ancient Fianna hunted along
the Boyne Valley.St. Patrick passed through here
on his way to the Hill of Slane. The Vikings had their
settlement at Annagassan.The Normans settled in and
built the town of DroghedaThe Cistercians built their
Abbey at Mellifont.The Battle of the Boyne was
fought here.Situated in the heart of The Boyne Valley, the area includes the legendary Tara where the High Kings of Ireland ruled, the Hill of Slane where St. Patrick first lit the beacon of Christianity in Ireland, the mighty burial mounds of Knowth & Dowth and the amazing Newgrange.
On December 21st - the Winter Solstice, the inner chamber is illuminated by the rays of the sun and this marked the end of the dark months of Winter an the return of the light and the rebeginning of life.