Farewell Ireland.  It seems fitting that we visited a 5,000 year old megalithic passage grave on our last full day.

We started with a nice view from the breakfast table.

Then got on the road still plagued by downed power lines.

Negrange, or Brú na Bóinne in Gaelic, is older than the pyramids.  Wayne reminisced about public school textbooks hailing Egypt as the cradle of civilization while being mum on what lies here in Ireland.  Pictures were not allowed inside the tomb so you’ll have to settle for the  grounds, peaceful and quiet, settled in place, set in rolling hills with cows and sheep grazing around ancient sites.  

The mass dwarfs a pack of humans.

Many of the stones have intricate carvings.

The astronomical alignment is perfect.  On the winter solstice, a shaft of light pierces the “roof” window, which is set above the entrance and is the same height as the horizon beyond, lighting the passage all the way to the tomb, which itself is at the same height of the window and horizon.  They have a lottery for 20 tickets each of the two days before and after the solstice and every year 36,000 people buy a chance to witness the event.  

The entrance.

A close up of the window.

Tomorrow, up at the crack of dawn, finish the final packing and then head home.  We have had a wonderful time.  Thank you for coming along for the ride.

Slán