The primary purpose of my trip today was to meet Ken Williams, photographer extraordinaire of megalithic monuments. I've admired his work for a long time and wanted to meet him (mainly to pinch some photography tips from him :-) and he wanted to know how to find Boleycarigeen stone circle.

Before we met up I stopped off at Castleruddery, which is now for sale! Wish my cheque book was that big. Anyway, I got talking to the 86 year old farmer who owns the field and he told me lots of local folklore which I'll add to the page soon. I also crossed a nearby field to check out two large stones I'd noticed whilst driving up the road. What I found was quite astonishing!

At Boleycarrigeen myself and Ken settled down to taking some photos. It was good to actually spend longer trying to take good photos. I think I need to do this a bit more often - perhaps this will rekindle my slightly flagging inspiration.

Today was not a good day to go Winter Solstice sunrise watcing at Newgrange, but I'd decided that this year I would go along for a change and so we set off anyway. We were treated to a glimmer of pinkiness on the sky, but sadly no spectacular solar show. I did meet up with a couple of friends though, so it was not a wasted trip.

There were a lot of people there today. More than I've seen on photos from previous years. RTE news were there hoping to capture the moment that never happened - the rising sun lighting up the passage and chamber. I did feel sorry for those who'd had their names pulled from the hat to win a once-in-a-lifetime-chance to be inside the chamber to witness one of the wonders (if not the wonder) of the Neolithic world.

Today was the first day since the solstice that I could head out and check a sunrise alignment I've suspected for some time. No one has ever recorded a winter solstice alignment at a portal tomb (why should anyone look? They nearly all face due east.)

I had intended to go yesterday, but it was just too cloudy. This morning when I woke up it looked the same, but around 7:45 am it was looking better and so I rushed out. Luckily I only live 25 minutes drive from Onagh.

My efforts were rewarded with a beautiful solar lightshow. To my knowledge, this is the first time a significant alignment has been recorded at a portal tomb.