5,000 years after the stone age farmers of Co. Meath built their massive stone passage tombs on the hills of Loughcrew near Oldcastle, the sun still returns twice a year on the equinoxes to illuminate a spectacularly carved stone at the rear of the chamber of Cairn T, the largest passage tomb on Carnbane East. On March 21st 2007, and again on the days around September 21st, the length of day and night are equal and the sun passes directly above the equator, the reasons why stone age man chose to mark this particular occasion and its significance to their way of life or religion remains a mystery.

Shortly after 6.30am on 20th March, the sun clears some hazy clouds on the horizon and in moments its rays will reach inside the short passage of Cairn T, cross the chamber and bathe the elegantly carved rearstone of the back chamber in golden light.

5,000 years after the stone age farmers of Co. Meath built their massive stone passage tombs on the hills of Loughcrew near Oldcastle, the sun still returns twice a year on the equinoxes to illuminate a spectacularly carved stone at the rear of the chamber of Cairn T, the largest passage tomb on Carnbane East. On March 21st 2007, and again on the days around September 21st, the length of day and night are equal and the sun passes directly above the equator, the reasons why stone age man chose to mark this particular occasion and its significance to their way of life or religion remains a mystery.

Shortly after 6.30am on 20th March, the sun clears some hazy clouds on the horizon and in moments its rays will reach inside the short passage of Cairn T, cross the chamber and bathe the elegantly carved rearstone of the back chamber in golden light.