Visitors from Canada, Germany, Norway and the US were among those who gathered at Newgrange in Co Meath earlier today for the Winter Solstice.
They were among the winners of the Office of Public Works (OPW) lottery scheme for people to get tickets for the world-famous annual event at the Neolithic monument.
While the shortest day of the year is technically tomorrow, the lottery winners instead entered the chamber today.
Usually, the sunlight floods the inner chamber during the days around the solstice - however, this morning it was blocked by low cloud and mist.
Other visitors may get a glimpse of the unique experience, however, as the sun fills the chamber for a few days before and after the solstice.
While only a small number received tickets to enter the chamber today, crowds also gathered outside the monument to mark the occasion.
The atmosphere this morning was said to be 'weather-proof'.
No Sun, but that didn't dampen the spirits of those at Newgrange @opwireland @heritageireland @DeptAHG @NationalMons @DiscoverBoyneV #wintersolstice #Newgrange @ancienteastIRL pic.twitter.com/c1tIMC6Nie
— Brú na Bóinne - Newgrange and Knowth (@newgrangeknowth) December 21, 2019
Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, the minister of state with special responsibility for the OPW, said: “I am delighted to welcome the lucky winners of this very popular OPW Solstice Lottery competition to witness at first hand this archaeological phenomenon.
"In September, these lucky winners were chosen by local school children from over 30,000 applications from all around the world.
"That some of the winners have come this week from as far afield as Belgium, Canada, Germany, Norway and the United States of America shows the continuing fascination the Solstice has the world over”.
The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day of the year, with the sunrise beginning at around 8:58am.
During the sunrise on December 21st or 22nd, a roofbox allows the sun - as long as it is not blocked by clouds - to shine directly into the Newgrange chamber for 17 minutes, flooding the chamber with light.
While the exact nature of the prehistoric monument is not known, it contains several passage tombs and is believed to have had significant symbolic value for its builders.
