Almost 200 people gathered at Newgrange for the winter solstice today were left disappointed after clouds obscured the sunlight.
Members of the public at Newgrange, Co. Meath, for the Winter Solstice.
People from all over the world, including historians from Czech Republic and Poland had travelled to view the sight at Newgrange in Co Meath.
The Minister for Justice Michael McDowell, who was invited by the Minister for the Office of Public Works, Tom Parlon, took one of the coveted 25 places inside the stone age tomb's chamber.
But Met Éireann's forecast of cloudy conditions proved correct - and the sunlight obscured the winter solstice.
Clare Tuffy, manager of Newgrange's Brú na Bóinne visitors centre, said: "We had a very dull day, I'm afraid, the group were very calm inside the chamber, I don't think there was an expectation we would get to see it. It was too cloudy there was no sun shining."
She added: "For the past several number of years we have had sun on the 21st, I suppose we were taking it a bit for granted. It is just luck, it is something you can't control."
A small number of protesters also gathered outside the tomb complaining about a nearby Irish Cement factory which has applied for planning permission for a 125 metres chimney stack.
One of the protestors said the smoke from the chimney could obscure the solstice in future years if planning permission was granted for it.
A record 27,000 people from Ireland and overseas applied for the coveted places inside the stone age tomb's chamber.