This past Christmas was the second year running that no member of the public was admitted to Newgrange. Only a tiny number live to go back five millennia in time. Pre-pandemic, a lottery would permit a handful to live the dawn on any given December 21: The magical and mythical winter solstice. For the rest of us, the Brú na Boinne experience is not quite so moving – a tour guide’s old-school torch mimics the sun lighting up the chamber. Yet one cannot but experience it all and wonder how, over 5,000 years ago, primitive man knew so much about…

Read on for just €1

For a limited time, get your first month for €1 and unlock full access to The Currency and The Wall Street Journal – two premium memberships, one subscription.

Subscribe

Cancel at any time.

Are you already a member? .