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Dowth

Hi everybody, it's been a while since I did anything an the Magic of the Land....

but lately I can't seem to get Dowth out of my mind.

For some reason at this time of year I always think of that place as an autumn and winter place.

Looked up a little bit about it this morning and it's described as the fairy mound of Darkness which I found very interesting.

I visited there last year, in late summer, and I always feel when I go there there is a deep sense of knowing and grounding.

I also found it a very mysterious place. The reason I really don't know, but it is also like many of the other places, the Hill of Tara , Newgrange, magical.

When I'm there, in these places, I often try to bring my mind back to when people lived there and what it was like.

When I do visit the place I always get a sense of spiritual connection to this ancient site and I find it a very peaceful place when I'm walking around it.

It's very close to Newgrange and Knowth.

It surely is a magical place. There have been many celebrations at that place in the past with Tara Celebrations and I'm sure all the groups have visited on a regular basis.

And you always come away from the place feeling a deep sense of peace and the knowing that change is coming, as it's a place of autumn season and winter.

A time for going deep within.

A time for preparing for the winter months ahead.

Things I love about this place...

it's untouched,

it's wild

and yet at the same time it's very peaceful there.

And that's another ancient site that's very magical and worth a visit before the winter comes.

Maybe you have a different experience about the place and wonderful memories as I do?

Anne-Marie Moroney has been observing winter sunsets since 1997. From the beginning of October to the end of February the Sun sends it's rays from the south west into the chamber. As the sun appears progressively lower in the sky towards the winter solstice, the beam travels first over the sill stone then enters the chamber and finally shines directly onto the stone at the back of the Chamber. I've seen this for myself and it sure is magical..

So if you're looking for a place to visit at this time and, as a lot of people are, doing a stay vacation, visit this beautiful place, feel the magic and the spiritual connection.

Lots of love and light.

Bernadette Mac

Posted 12 August 2020 at 11.11

The following is general information on the venue:

Venue: Dowth, Co. Meath, Ireland

Dowth mound stands in a large field, sharing the space with grazing sheep. On the northern bank of the river Boyne, it is signposted from the Slane to Drogheda road. Drive directly to the site and park on the roadside. There are no facilities, such as toilets and gift shop, at the site, but there is a comprehensive information board. Entrance is through a metal squeeze gateway.

The large mound is about the same size as Newgrange and Knowth, raised between approximately 3200 and 2000 BC, making it the third presently visible on this ridge.

In 1930's British Israelites searching for the Ark of the Covenant used dynamite at the top of the mound.

There are two chambers, referred to as Dowth North and Dowth South, and a souterrain (constructed around the 10th or 11th century). There is usually no public access to the chambers of the mound. North is said to be aligned to Samhain and the South to Winter Solstice. This was restored in 1962 and 1975.

In July 2018, another passage tomb in the grounds of nearby Dowth Hall was excavated, revealing significant examples of Neolithic rock art similar to those at Dowth and the other Brú na Bóinne sites.

1. Ulster Cycle, Cuchulainn come to Dowth and fights a giant, one of three brothers - into the river.

2. Dubad, which means 'Darkness'. Brú of the Druid Bresal, build a great tower reach heavens. All men of Ireland build the tower in a single day, his sister casts enchantment, sun will not set until tower complete. Brother is overcome with lust and commits incest, breaking the enchantment and causing the sun to set before the tower is built. 'Night has come upon us', laments his sister, 'and Dubad shall be the name of this place forever'.

Dowth (Dubthach or darkhouse) is the place of death, the setting winter solstice sun shining into the chamber of Dowth South every year. It is a masterpiece that complements the dawn sunrise in Newgrange eight hours previously.