FACTUAL
A Light in Winter
Monday 19 December 2005 20:30-21:00 (Radio 4 FM)
The winter solstice celebration at Newgrange monument, Ireland, is an awe-inspiring event that has taken place annually for more than 5000 years. As the sun's rays clear the horizon on the shortest day of the year, they illuminate, in perfect alignment, a 19-metre passage and chamber which contains the remains of our long dead ancestors.
The chamber is older than Stonehenge or the Pyramids and Trevor Barnes has gained rare access to the event to experience it for himself - joining the handful of people who are selected by lottery from more than 25,000 applicants.
