Newgrange – Secrets of the Ancient Sun

The Winter Solstice, Ancient Astronomy and Five Thousand Years of Discovery

Join author, photographer and mythologist Anthony Murphy for a special two-part live online exploration of Newgrange (Síd in Broga), its extraordinary winter-solstice alignment and the research that has transformed our understanding of this five-thousand-year-old monument.

Through Anthony’s original photography, aerial imagery, carefully researched illustrations and historical sources, discover what the monument reveals about the astronomical knowledge of its builders – and how successive generations have investigated its mysteries.

Live online dates

Tuesday 8 December and Tuesday 15 December 2026
8.00pm–9.30pm Irish time (GMT) each evening
Live on Zoom

What we will explore

Session One – The Sun and the Stone (8 December)
Newgrange’s winter-solstice alignment; the roof-box, passage and chamber; the movement of the sun through deep time; the monument’s design and astronomical setting.

Session Two – Discovering the Ancient Sun (15 December)
The history of modern investigations into the solstice phenomenon; early researchers and historical accounts; archival evidence, photography, Anthony’s field observations and original interpretations; and the questions that remain open.

What is included

• Two richly illustrated 90-minute live Zoom sessions, with opportunities for questions
• Access to session recordings after the live events
• Illustrated PDF course notes
• Research informed by Anthony’s books, photography and decades of fieldwork in the Boyne Valley

Course fee: €99 per person.

This online astronomy-and-research course is a separate experience from Newgrange: Monument to Immortality – Five Thousand Winters, the in-person course at Glebe House, Dowth, on Saturday 12 December.

Joining instructions and Zoom links will be emailed to participants before each session.