Island of the Setting Sun: In Search of Ireland's Ancient Astronomers

by Anthony Murphy, Richard Moore

Overview

Ireland is home to some of the world’s oldest astronomically-aligned structures, giant stone monuments erected over 5,000 years ago. Despite their apparent simplicity, these megalithic edifices were crafted by a scientifically knowledgeable community of farmers who endeavored to enshrine their beliefs in a stellar afterlife within the very fabric of their cleverly designed stone temples.

Finally back in print, this reissued edition presents evidence suggesting the builders of monuments such as Newgrange and its Boyne Valley counterparts were adept astronomers, cunning engineers and capable surveyors. Their huge monuments are memorials in stone and earth, commemorating their creators’ perceived unity with the cosmos and enshrining a belief system which resulted from a crossover between science and spirituality.

As investigation of this awe-inspiring civilization of people continues on many levels, evidence is emerging that significant archaeological sites dating from deep in prehistory are linked – not just through mythology, archaeology and cosmology – but through an arrangement of complex, and in some cases astonishing, alignments. Some of these alignments of ancient sites stretch from one side of Ireland to another.

While the accounts of the lives of some prominent Irish saints appear to be steeped in folklore and mystery, it seems from new interpretations of the literature that the cosmic world view which existed in Neolithic Ireland experienced a continuity right into the Early Christian period.

Join us on this fascinating exploration of stones, stars and stories.


“The sheer amount of information contained within the book is mind-boggling. It is well thought out and structured . . . The more you read the evidence the more convinced you become.” – Astronomy & Space magazine

“Refreshing and fascinating . . . a wonderful magical book, sumptuously illustrated and a must for anyone who loves to delve deep into our past.” – Kenny’s Irish Bookshop

“A fascinating insight into Ireland’s ancient burial sites” – Irish Independent

“A monument” – Drogheda Independent

“It is a beautiful book and very well written. The information that you collected is outstanding.” – Barbara Carter, co-author, The Myth of the Year and The Goddess and the Bull

“The authors . . . reach interesting and challenging conclusions about the significance of ancient astronomical knowledge. The book is jammed with colour illustrations, maps and photographs. A thoroughly interesting read!” – Archaeology Ireland

"An essential book that demonstrates just how much the beliefs and practices of our ancestors were influenced by the movement of the stars, in particular those of the constellation Cygnus - the celestial swan and Northern Cross - once seen as a source of life and the destination of the soul in death. A must have tome for all those passionate about what remains of our fast disappearing ritual monuments of the prehistoric age." - Andrew Collins, author of The Cygnus Mystery

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781916099852
Publisher:	The Liffey Press
Publication date:	11/06/2020
Edition description:	Reissued 3rd
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.70(w) x 9.40(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Anthony Murphy is a journalist and the author of four books. He lives in Drogheda, County Louth and manages the website www.mythicalireland.com.

Table of Contents

Preface to 2020 Edition vi

Acknowledgements viii

About the Paintings x

Prologue: Crossing Paths 1

Chapter 1 Balor's Strand: Discoveries and Beginnings 4

Chapter 2 Colpa: Invasion of the Milesians 24

Chapter 3 Millmount: Burial Place of the Astronomer 42

Chapter 4 Tara: Seat of the Sky King 64

Chapter 5 Cosmic Circles: The Giant Rings 86

Chapter 6 Dowth: The Darkening of the Sky 108

Chapter 7 Newgrange: The Cygnus Enigma 136

Chapter 8 Newgrange: Womb of the Moon 160

Chapter 9 Knowth: Secrets of the Sky 180

Chapter 10 Cosmic Grid: Lines Across the Land 202

Chapter 11 Star Stories: Sky Myths of the Ancients 230

Chapter 12 The High Man: Return of the King 252

Epilogue On the Brink 286

Bibliography 289

Notes 299

Index 333