A large crowd assembles each year on the 21st December for the Winter Solstice event at Newgrange in the Boyne Valley, Co. Meath. The passage of Newgrange was built in such a way that on the winter solstice sunrise (shortest day of the year), the rising sun shines directly through a specially built 'roofbox' above the door, straight down the passage and forms a wedge of bright golden light inside the heart of the chamber within.

The forecast was for clear weather and as the sky gets brighter the fog and mist begin to clear, conditions are perfect. All eyes are on the horizon to catch the first crescent of blinding sun appearing across the valley.

The sun rising from behind Red Mountain on the morning of the 21st December 2006, in just minutes the strong rays of the sun will shine deep inside the chamber of Newgrange behind where this photo was taken.

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As the sun breaks the horizon, all eyes turn to the entrance to the great tomb. Warm sunlight on the facade creates a glow from the quartz and granite, the solstice event is a spectacular event outside as much as inside.

Sunlight streaming down the passage and into the chamber, taken from in front of the entrance stone, looking into the tomb,

A closer view of where the rays from the light box reach the chamber, just at the centre of this photo.

The morning sun from behind Great Circle Stone -1, which stands in front of the entrance to Newgrange.

There is a jubliant mood in the crowd outside, the early rise and wait in the cold has been worth it.

Once the party of VIP's and lucky lottery winners leave the passage after witnessing this once in a lifetime experience, the assembled crowd outside queue in hope to catch some of the mystical atmosphere inside the chamber.

Newgrange on a bright winter solstice eve, 2006.

Inevitably, with the large crowd and media presence, people take their chance to protest and make their views known. This year it is the turn of the Tara Valley to be brought into the spotlight, the ancient capital and ceremonial centre of Ireland is facing an uncertain future, with the construction of a motorway and interchange through the valley itself already begun.

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