MYT05 Lugh And Dectire

A Milesian maiden named Dechtire, a relative of King Conchobar of Ulster, got lost in a snowstorm and took shelter at Si an Bro, the Temple of the Spirits, now known as the great passage tomb of Newgrange. Lugh the Sun God visited her there as she sheltered from the storm and their son CO Chulainn, the great warrior hero of the Ulster Cycle, was conceived. Cu Chulainn, known as the Hound of Ulster is famous for his loyalty/ chivalry and his legendary feats as a warrior, especially in single combat The legend of Lugh and Dectire could be a metaphor for the sunbeam at winter solstice entering the chamber, as some say Newgrange represents the womb of the ealth mother, with the long entrance passageway representing the bit-th canal and the penetration by the sun a ritual that brings new life.
When Professor Michael J. O'Kelly rediscovered the roofbox in the 1960's the legends of the sun shining into the Chamber had survived for over 5000 years. AE Russell wrote a poem on the subject 70 years before the alignment was rediscovered. Winter Solstice, or Grianstad  is the shortest day of  the  year and the longest night occurring around 21 st December. Just before 9 am the sunlight enters the roofbox and makes its way up the 19 metre passageway, illuminating the chamber. This occurs for five days around Winter Solstice. As the sunlight travels up the passageway and into the chamber it illuminates the pick dressing on the orthostats, creating a shimmering effect and when It reaches the back of the chamber it illuminates the triskele on the wall. Newgrange is the only known site with this triple spiral (triskele) rock aft symbol, It is found inside the chamber and on , the entrance stone directly outside the passage.