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Visited 27th January 2012
Take the Clydagh Valley road off of the N22 and follow until you reach a barn with a track going of left at W145840. There's plenty of room here to park. Follow the track up through through three gates until the end of the forestry then strike off up the steep slope to the left. It's steep and slippery ! Pick out your route as you go. There is a boggy bit at the head of the stream, but it should present no difficulty. Just keep going up and you will come to the eastern Pap. The Western Pap is an easy walk from here. Just a straight forward down then follow the stones up to the summit cairn.
When I visited today, the snow was knee deep on the Western Pap and I was greeted by blizzard conditions and a whiteout for a while. The wind was so strong that I could hardly stand.
The return trip can be a little slippery ! and you will most definitely NOT have dry feet by the time you get back to your car ! The whole walk took 3 and a half hours. A great exhilarating day out in the hills !
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Visited on the 20th November 2011
We found this one by accident. Driving out of Castletownbere we saw it signposted and followed up the lane. You can pull in and park in a wide gateway, more or less opposite the circle. There is a gateway with information board, leading into the field containing the circle.
The circle has a diameter of 7.8 metres and has 8 stones still standing out of an original 13/15. One of the portal stones lies broken and a further 3 have fallen.
There are fine views to Bear Island
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Visited on the 19th of November 2011
From Bantry direction take the left turning to Dromore from the R586. Go over the bridge and into the village and you will see the stone in the school yard to your left. There are plenty of places to park here.
Rather disappointingly set in the corner of the school yard. This monolith is nearly 3 metres in height.
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Visited on the 17th December 2011
Also known locally as The Fingers or 5 Fingers
The row can be seen on the hill, from the school car park. For access drive towards Castletownshend and there is a farm on the bend on your left just before the Castletownshend sign. The farmer is the owner of the land, he was very friendly and helpful and will give you permission and tell you the easiest way up to the stones.
He told us to go back towards the school but to pull in on the left by the gate to Knockdrum fort and park there, as he wouldn't be using the gate today. Cross the road go through the gate and head straight up and over a stone wall. Its only a five minute walk and you are at the stones. They appear as you reach the summit. Three tall stones standing sentinel over the whole of West Cork. With views stretching into County Kerry.
The stones themselves are as impressive as the setting. Three stones are still standing on a South West - North East axis ranging in height from nearly 8ft, to over 13'. There is a fallen stone at the North Eastern end. An original 5th stone was removed and now stands in a garden in Castletownshend.
As I arrived at the stones, a Merlin flew from a nearby bush.
It is a beautiful and peaceful place, I could have sat here for hours, soaking it all in.
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Visited 9th December 2011
Situated further along the road from Derrynafinchin Circle. There is a pull in opposite the forestry. Just climb over the gate and head up to the stone.
Set on the hillside at the North Western foot of Conigar, overlooking the Borlin Valley this stone is over 6ft tall
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Visited on the 9th December 2011.
From Bantry,take the N71 past Ballylicky and take a right turning at Dromkeal. Follow the Coomhola valley up through Courloom, Curramore and Derrynafinchin. As you come out of Derrynafinchin there is a left turning to the Borlin Valley and the circle is by the roadside on the right. There is a pull off where you can park, a few yards further on.
Standing at the roadside, the views here are stunning though the circle itself is looking like it has been treated more as a nuisance than a treasure. Seven stones are still standing but a fence runs right through it cutting off two of the stones which are in the field. One end of the circle has been turned into a mass rock used during the penal times.
The setting for this circle couldn't be more perfect, Hemmed in on three sides by mountains, with Conigar to the West, to the East , the Coomhola & Borlin Valleys and beyond them the highest Mountain in County Cork - Knockboy.To the North is Carran. There is a standing stone, not marked on the OS map,just to the North, between the two roads in the middle of the field.
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Visited on the 8th December 2011
As you enter Clonakilty from Skibbereen direction go straight over the first roundabout. Then take a left (sign posted Enniskean). Carry on up this road until you see a right turn for Shannon Vale. Carry on until the junction by the shrine. You should be able to pull in by the shrine. Walk down the road 50 yds and you will see the circle in the field to your left. You may have to clamber over the bank, though there are apparently, some steps in the bank to help you, but I couldn't for the life of me find them !
The circle itself has 4 stones still standing and at least one fallen. There is a central stone of quartz, though I am not too sure about the antiquity of this.
I thought that the site was a little disappointing, looking rather neglected and forlorn, especially as brambles have started to take over around one of the stones.
The entire dog population of the neighbourhood seemed to all be barking in unison when I was there !
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visited on the 5th December 2011 after looking in on the Coolcoulaghta Standing Stones.
Walk up the lane from the car parking spot by the stones,and you will come to a gate on your right (there's a no unauthorised people beyond this point type sign !). Go through the gate and follow the track to the barn. The farmer was here, and he gave me permission and the best route to get to the circle.
Go through the gate to the left of the barn and follow the track down and to the right. There was a bull in here, which the farmer assured me was "docile". Go through another gate and into the field. The circle is up on the hill. It's a bit wet underfoot, but the worst of it is easily avoided.
This circle is in a lovely peaceful setting, with Dunmanus Bay to the North, Mount Corrin to the East and Mount Gabriel to the South.
It is the only stone circle on the Mizen peninsula. Out of eleven stones six are still standing and five lay flat with a central slab.
There was enough time to take some photographs and admire the setting, before the rain started, quickly turning into hale...... so I beat a hasty retreat back the way I had come. The bull watching my every move, but too busy eating to be bothered with me.
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