Site Type: Passage Tomb
Irish Grid Ref: O0232873787
Location: Link to Bing Maps
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| Dowth in low winter sun. |
This passage tomb is described on Archaeology.ie as follows;
"This great mound, comparable in original size with those at Newgrange (ME019-045----) and (ME019-030----), is not as well preserved. Much of the material to W was removed at various times in the past and in 1847, when in the course of excavation a large crater was dug into the top of the mound. This monument comprises a kerbed mound, 85m in diam., and 15m in H, covering two passage-tombs opening onto its W side. The N tomb, 12.5m long, is of cruciform shape; an annex of two chambers opens off S recess. A reconstructed stone basin lies in centre of chamber. S tomb is 8.25m long and comprises a short passage leading to a sub-circular chamber with a single recess opening off its SE side. A number of kerb stones and structural stones in both tombs bear megalithic art. (Souterrain (ME020-017001-) built into the mound. (PRIA 1983, 5-190)."
This passage tomb is one of the three great passage tombs that make up Bru Na Boinne. There are two passages in the mound of Dowth on the western side. It is the short southern passage that is aligned to the winter solstice sun-set. The longer northern passage has been damaged and amended by the insertion of a souterain and it is now not possible to confirm what this passage is aligned to. It is possible that it was aligned to Feb-Nov Cross-quarter sun-set but it is more likely aligned to the Minor Lunar standstill. Dowth is the least visited of the three passage tombs however it is the only one that can be visited without going via the Newgrange Visitor Centre. It is possible to walk around the mound and in the right light observe the rock-art on its kerb. The passages however are not accessible. However it may be possible to enter the southern passage (when the passage gate is opened) on the 21st December but this is subject to confirmation yearly by the OPW.
Links to photographs;
Link to a pictures by Anne Marie Moroney of the winter solstice sun-set within Dowth
Links for further information;
Information on Dowth at www.mythicalireland.com
Information on Dowth at www.knowth.com
Information and pictures at www.megalithicireland.com
Youtube video of 3D laser scan of the passages of Dowth
