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

by Anthony Murphy, Anthony Murphy

Island of the Setting Sun is the story of the sophisticated and enigmatic people who lived in Ireland around 6,000 years the megalithic builders of the Stone Age. Archaeologists have been probing their building sites over the last fifty years, uncovering carvings, artifacts and dating materials that answer many questions about the people, yet pose even more about their purpose and genesis. This updated and revised second edition of this lavishly illustrated book presents evidence demonstrating that the builders of monuments such as Newgrange and its Boyne Valley counterparts were adept astronomers, cunning engineers, and capable surveyors.

Genres: Historical, Irish Literature, History

340 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2007

About the author

I am a journalist, author and photographer living in Drogheda, Ireland, with my wife Ann and our five children. I live four miles from Newgrange, a 5,000-year-old stone monument in the Boyne Valley. My exploration of the valley over the past 19 years has led been a huge influence in my work, both non-fiction and fiction.

I am the author (with artist Richard Moore)of 'Island of the Setting Sun: In Search of Ireland's Ancient Astronomers' (Liffey Press, 2006, 2008). I wrote 'Newgrange: Monument to Immortality' (Liffey Press, 2012). I contributed to 'The Mythology of Venus', an international collaboration edited by Helen Benigni and featuring a foreword by Morgan Llywelyn. My latest work of non-fiction is called 'Mythical Ireland: New Light on the Ancient Past'.

My first work of fiction was a novella, 'Land of the Ever-Living Ones'. My second work of fiction is a short novel called 'The Cry of the Sebac'.

I am the former Editor of the Drogheda Leader newspaper and was also Editor of the Dundalk Democrat newspaper. I currently work as a sub editor and graphic designer for the Irish Farmers Journal and The Irish Field newspapers.

Reviews

[Mistletoe Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book for basic insights into the religion and science of the astronomer-priests who built the Bend (Womb) of the River Boyne monuments. The reader is led to realize that folklore is actually the remains of a whole set of myths for a particular religion, and many such examples are given and explained. The science of these ancient scientists is also discussed at length. Island of the Setting Sun is an enjoyable and readable intro into the exciting truth behind the elaborate passage tombs of ireland and related sites. There once was a time when science and religion were one.

[Angus Mcwhorter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so well written that I break my cardinal rule of not scribing 5 star reviews. I especially love reading about these ancient astronomer's take on the constellations... you will have to read the content in order to not be the unforgivable "spoiler."

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What better land than this..."

[Trebha Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shows how the Boyne Valley has been used for centuries for symbolic invasion and it is all to do with what is happening in the heavens...Now it has been found that there are no swords, guns, weapons of any kind, no coins and no coat buttons at the site of the supposed Battle of the Boyne, again more lies built upon lies...