The base of the 5,000- year-old Neolithic monument at Newgrange, Co Meath (Ireland), is to be X-rayed by a researcher in a bid to determine the origin of its granite boulders.
     Dr Ian G Meighan of the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, who holds an honorary research position in Trinity College Dublin, is determining whether the boulders come from Newry or Mourne. He said work would get under way before the end of the year, using technology formerly used at Tara mines and now in the possession of Trinity College.
     Speaking at the launch of 'First Light: the Origins of Newgrange' by Office of Public Works archaeologist Dr Robert Hensey, Dr Meighan said the X-rays would detect and quantify trace metals and identify the source of the granite. Newry and Mourne granite were "like chalk and cheese", he said.
     'First Light: the Origins of Newgrange' is published as part of the 'Insights in Archaeology' series, by Oxbow Books, Oxford.

Edited from The Irish Times (20 May 2015)