Hi all,

We have returned from a short break in Trim, the weather was lovely all week-end & on Monday we went to visit Newgrange the renowned neolithic tomb & monuments that date back to over 5000 B.C.

We were fortunate to be able to enter the tomb in a small group with a guide. Very interesting & amazing that man then could have been so advanced in knowledge to precisely align these caves to let a shaft of light, from the rising sun, to illuminate the inside of the chamber for a few seconds at the Spring, Summer & Winter Solstice.

Constructed in the midst of beautiful lush countryside on a high hill, one wonders at the skill needed to transport huge boulders along the Boyne River (supposedly the mode of transport) to the site. The history of its discovery & development is another story & worth researching on Google etc.

I consider it one of the wonders of the World, at our own doorstep, along with two other perfectly aligned tombs, not opened, nearby called Knowth & Dowth.

Anyone who visits Meath should make this a must on their itinerary, buses transport groups to the site from the Visitor centre, the tour takes about 2 hours & well worth it, you will not see the like again.

Anyone claustropic can stay to the back of the line as one enters in single file, the opening is very narrow & black dark inside, when the light is put out for effect & the shaft of sunlight is simulated & travels along the corridor to iluminate the 3 chambers inside.

Best to go before the tourist high season as only a limited number of groups can view in one day. Well worth travelling to see,preferably on a sunny clear day.

Early mankind certaintly knew more than we sometimes give them credit for, doubtful of this could be constructed now in the same manner. Before the pryamids were built, Ireland was building these structures in Mayo, Meath & other counties.

We intend to visit other sites this year please God. Hope some of you do the tours too, very interesting.If not do look it up on the Net.

Pat