At Loughcrew Cairn T the rising sun on the mornings around the equinox illuminates the passage and chamber
The people who made the effort to get up early were rewarded by a glorious sunrise that illuminated the backstone in Cairn T
The OPW staff allowed groups of 5 or 6 to enter Cairn T to experience the illumination of the chamber
Sunbeam on the backstone of the chamber inside Cairn T - Photo by Ken Williams
The equinox illumination of Loughcrew Cairn T is a remarkable phenomenon where sunlight aligns
with the passage and chamber of the ancient megalithic structure during the equinox.
Specifically designed to capture this celestial event, Cairn T at Loughcrew becomes
illuminated as the sun rises, casting light down the passage and into the chamber.
The precision in the construction of Cairn T allows for this captivating play
of light and shadow during the equinox, creating a stunning spectacle that underscores
the ancient builders' astronomical knowledge and architectural expertise.
The event serves as a testament to the alignment of ancient structures
with celestial events, possibly having symbolic or ritualistic significance for the people who constructed and used these monuments.
Loughcrew Video - Spring Equinox 2005
The progress of the sunbeam on the backstone inside Cairn T at Loughcrew was video recorded at sunrise on the morning of March 23rd 2005. The 50 minute recording is compressed to 1 minute 46 seconds.
At Loughcrew Cairn T the rising sun on the mornings around the equinox illuminates the passage and chamber
The people who made the effort to get up early were rewarded by a glorious sunrise that illuminated the backstone in Cairn T
The OPW staff allowed groups of 5 or 6 to enter Cairn T to experience the illumination of the chamber
Sunbeam on the backstone of the chamber inside Cairn T - Photo by Ken Williams
Equinox sunlight on the backstone in Cairn T