In Irish legend Leprechauns bury pots of gold at theend of the rainbow, but since a rainbow can only be seen at a distance, thegold is forever illusive. In Greek and Roman mythology, Iris the goddess ofthe rainbow was one of the messengers of the gods. A rainbow is a bridgeused by soul boats in Indonesia. The Arabs and the Bantu people of Africabelieve the rainbow to be a divine bow for firing arrows. In Christiantradition, the rainbow represents the throne of Christ.
With so much myth and legend associated with a rainbow, it was fitting thata rainbow should illuminate the sky for the people outside Newgrangewhile the fortunate few inside were experiencing the illuminationof the chamber.
A rainbow with its colours of
Red,Orange, Yellow,Green, Blue,Indigo and Violet is lightrefracted in raindrops and reflected back to the observer. To see a rainbowthe sun must be behind the observer and it must be raining in front of theobserver. Large raindrops make the best rainbows.
Sometimes a secondary paler coloured rainbow can be seen, itappears because some of the light that enters the raindrops is reflectednot one but twice from the back of the raindrops before it leaves.
A double rainbow above a lawn labyrinth, noticehow the colours are reversed in the secondary rainbow.
Boyne Valley Private Day Tour
Immerse yourself in the rich heritage and culture of the Boyne Valley with our full-day private tours.Visit Newgrange World Heritage site, explore the Hill of Slane, where Saint Patrick famously lit the Paschal fire.Discover the Hill of Tara, the ancient seat of power for the High Kings of Ireland.Book Now
