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In the shadow of the stones a group of revellers go through ultra stretches and bends Alamy

In pictures: Revellers of the winter solstice at Stonehenge

Today is the shortest day of the year.

THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE greeted the dawn with cheers and applause at Stonehenge this morning as they marked the winter solstice.

Those who observed the spectacle at the neolithic monument in Wiltshire encountered a windy morning as they marked the shortest day.

Here’s what it looked like:

Revellers do coordinated stretches together in the shadow of the stones.

people-tale-part-in-the-winter-solstice-celebrations-at-stonehenge-england-saturday-dec-21-2024-ap-photoanthony-upton Alamy Alamy

A hobby horse decked out in ribbons performs.

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A moon and star staff laid against onee of the stones.

a-person-takes-a-photograph-of-a-moon-and-star-staff-against-one-of-the-stones-as-people-take-part-in-the-winter-solstice-celebrations-during-sunrise-at-the-stonehenge-prehistoric-monument-on-salisbur Alamy Alamy

Self-identifying druids joined the celebrations.

salisbury-uk-21st-dec-2024-druids-celebrate-at-sunrise-on-the-shortest-day-december-22nd-2019-hundreds-of-people-gathered-the-famous-historic-stone-circle-in-wiltshire-to-celebrate-the-sunrise Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

 A visitor takes his shoes and socks off to experience grounding by the stones.

salisbury-england-uk-21st-dec-2024-a-visitor-takes-his-shoes-and-socks-off-to-experience-grounding-by-the-stones-during-the-winter-solstice-celebrations-the-winter-solstice-2024-marks-both-the-s Alamy Alamy

Morris dancers take part in the winter Solstice celebrations.

morris-dancers-take-part-in-the-winter-solstice-celebrations-at-stonehenge-england-saturday-dec-21-2024-ap-photoanthony-upton Alamy Alamy

Revellers shared face paint.

a-person-has-their-face-painted-as-they-take-part-in-the-winter-solstice-celebrations-during-sunrise-at-the-stonehenge-prehistoric-monument-on-salisbury-plain-in-wiltshire-picture-date-saturday-dece Alamy Alamy

Thousands gathered before sunrise.

people-take-part-in-the-winter-solstice-celebrations-during-sunrise-at-the-stonehenge-prehistoric-monument-on-salisbury-plain-in-wiltshire-picture-date-saturday-december-21-2024 Alamy Alamy

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    Mute Micheal S. O' Ceilleachair
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    Jul 21st 2017, 5:46 PM

    It’s okay! The Irish lads were only interested in the “crack”.

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    Mute Fank Pulman
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    Jul 21st 2017, 5:53 PM

    @Micheal S. O’ Ceilleachair: *craic

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    Mute Fank Pulman
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    Jul 21st 2017, 6:10 PM

    @Fank Pulman: crack cocaine is known as ‘crack’…

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    Mute Suzie Sunshine
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    Jul 21st 2017, 6:16 PM

    @Fank Pulman: ah leave him alone he was only trying to crack a joke …

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    Mute Greg Blake
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    Jul 21st 2017, 6:53 PM

    @Fank Pulman: he did use exclamation marks for a reason.

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    Mute Micheal S. O' Ceilleachair
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 11:50 AM

    @Fank Pulman: I’m referring to the crack that can be caused by an earthquake. Near Ephesus it is possible to see a huge crack in a mountain that was caused by a previous earthquake. Crack was a pun on craic!!

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    Mute Micheal S. O' Ceilleachair
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 11:52 AM

    @Greg Blake: thank God some one spotted it!! I will have to change my name to Mr. Mark Exclamation!!!!

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    Mute Dave Hogan
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    Jul 21st 2017, 6:15 PM

    Anybody who goes on holiday to that hellhole turkey is not bothered by earthquakes.

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    Mute john culhane
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    Jul 21st 2017, 6:26 PM

    @Dave Hogan: never been to Turkey. Why is it a hellhole?

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    Mute Dave Hogan
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    Jul 21st 2017, 6:34 PM

    @john culhane: if I said if you stick your hand in a fire you would get burned would you announce you never tried it?

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    Mute Fank Pulman
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    Jul 21st 2017, 6:41 PM

    @Dave Hogan: JC just asked a simple question…pity…

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    Mute Patrick J. O'Rourke
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    Jul 21st 2017, 10:17 PM

    @Dave Hogan: The Irish used to keep Kusadasi in business not that long ago. It was also a handy package to spend time in the jewel that is Ephesus.

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    Mute Linda Keneally
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    Jul 21st 2017, 11:23 PM

    @john culhane: Turkey is a beautiful country with fabulous history, scenery, food and the kindest people on the planet. We have been going to Bodrum region for years. I can only assume the previous commentor has never been.

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    Mute James Doyle
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    Jul 21st 2017, 8:36 PM

    And God made the World.

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