Shortly after 9am, sunshine illuminated the passageway and inner chamber of the Stone Age tomb, attracting the ‘biggest crowd in 20 years’

Brighter days to come have been celebrated in gatherings to mark the Winter Solstice at ancient sites in the island of Ireland .

Ireland's first male interfaith minister was among those leading winter solstice festivities at Newgrange on Saturday.Enda Donnellan, who lives close to the area and was ordained as Ireland’s first male interfaith minister in 2012,

The winter solstice in the northern hemisphere, marking the shortest day of the year, occurs when the sun is directly overhead in the Tropic of Capricorn. This year it takes place on the morning of Saturday, December 21st. In the southern hemisphere it marks the longest day of the year.

The 2024 astronomical winter season—and the moment when the Northern Hemisphere is the farthest from the sun—will occur Saturday at 3:21 a.m. EST. After Saturday, days will become increasingly longer, and nights shorter, through the summer solstice on June 20, which will be the longest day of 2025.

Hundreds gathered outside the chamber at Newgrange in Co Meath for the annual winter solstice event, marking the triumph of light over darkness.

Crowds gathered from early on Saturday at Newgrange in Co Meath to honour the Celtic tradition of marking the winter solstice on the shortest day and longest night of the year. Newgrange is a prehistoric monument thought to have been built by the Neolithics over 5,

Brighter days ahead celebrated at Irish Winter Solstice gatherings - Some of Ireland’s most ancient sites including Navan Fort in Co Armagh and Newgrange in Co Meath hosted gatherings.