Nucleus

One of my favourite aspects of stone circles in the southwest of Ireland, is their ‘integration’ in the surrounding landscape. Dunbeacon is a great, if not the best, example how much a site can gain attraction, simply from a well chosen location.

The stone circle lies about 3.5km southwest of Durrus and is the only one found on the Mizen Head peninsula. The circle is not signed, but east of the circle lies Dunbeacon Stone Row, which is signed and where you can park and leave your car. Follow the road uphill for ~250m until you reach a house on the right side, with a lane in front of it that leads west to a barn. Follow this lane, bypass the barn and you should see a farm track with a few gates that leads to the circle.

Of eleven tall stones only six still stand and in the center lies a slab-type stone. The site offers spectacular views to the north, northeast and south, but the most impressive one is over the circle to Mount Corrin.

If you think you’re not sensible for ‘spiritual’ stuff, than sit here on a sunny day, enjoy the silence, let your eyes wander around and take a break from everyday life. This experience will probably change your mind, I can tell you first-hand ;-).

Visited May 2008

This stone circle lies in Bonane Heritage Park, which is well signed from the N71 between Kenmare and Glengariff. Beside the circle, the park offers among others an impressive Ringfort, a Standing Stone and a Fulacht Fiadh. Currently you were charged an admission of 4€ per person, a bit expensive in my opinion, especially as there are no reductions for families.

The stone circle itself is stunning and well preserved. I counted 11 stones in the outer ring and in the centre lies a heavy boulder stone.

There are great views over Sheen River Valley. The only thing that disturb the atmosphere are two information boards, that stand very close to the circle. However they explain two interesting alignments of the circle.

One is the sunrise between the two entrance stones during summer solstice and equinox sunset over the stone right of the recumbent.

The other alignment is related to ‘Major Lunar Standstill’, that occurs every 18.6 years. On the opposite hill from the circle lies ‘Altar’, which, according to the info board, consists of three large flagstone. This marks the most southerly rising point of the moon, when viewed from the circle. The angle at which the moon rises coincides with the angle of the mountain, making the moon appear to ‘climb’ the mountain as it ascends.

The last time the event occured was June 2006, so if you want to see this phenomenon, be here at the end of 2024 ;-).

Visited May 2009

This is one of the few portal tombs in Cork, the only other that comes to my mind is Ahaglaslin near Ross Carbery.

Although the tomb lies only 140m north of the R592, it’s not easy to find, because you have to climb over (or slip under, which I found easier) barbed wire and the tomb itself is quite overgrown and therefore difficult to spot. Park the car on the road shoulder that is on both side of the road just before you reach the highest point, when coming from Altar. Climb the hillside north of the street near to the highest point to the barbed wire and look for a farm track. Follow this track north, then northeast that goes around a small stream. You should see the top of the tomb poke out close to the base of a cliff.

The tomb tilts pretty sideways, maybe the soil moved downhill a bit during the thousands of years, since it was built. Behind the capstone, which rests on the portal stones, is another (pretty overgrown) capstone, that lies over the chamber.

From the tomb you have a terrific views to Toormore Bay and the gurgle of the nearby stream also contributes to the delightful ambience of this site.

Visited May 2009

This stone circle lies south of the R585 between Kealkil and Cousane Gap, about 1km southwest of Cousane stone circle. If you drive from Keakil look out for a asphalted farm drive on the right side and park in the small lay-by just before the entrance. Walk around 200m to the farm and ask there for permission. The circle lies behind the farm (due east) and can be approached via a gate at the rear of the farm house.

The circle itself is quite nice. It contains two bulder-burials and lies on a small hill that offers some good views to northwest and northeast (to Cousane Gap). Six stones are still standing, some have fallen and the recumbent in the southwest is a long flat slap.

Unfortunately, as I visted the site, the stones were a bit hidden behind clump of grass, which means, that they don’t come to the fore on my pictures.

A word of caution: The short way to the circle across the field seems very easy, but was instead very boggy during my visit. I didn’t realized it, because the way looked quite ‘normal’. But there seems to be a small stream, that runs through the field in the low ground, which is not clearly ‘visible’. But soon as you cross it, you sink in. It is a ambiguous feeling to stand 20m before a stone circle, trying to find a preferably dry way to it, while your shoes are flooded with water and mud. So take care, I’ve warned you ;-)!

Regardless of that fact, I have not regretted to come to this pretty circle!

Visited May 2009

Not far away from the more popular Altar tomb, this wedge tomb is nearly unknown, although it is pretty similar and also worth a stop. It lies hidden in a small clearance, which looks like the landowner trims and cuts the grass and weeds on it regularly.

Only one roofstone is left, which is supported by a modern square rest in the rear.

This was my second attempt to find the site, as the OS map location and the above GPS coordinates are wrong. The correct values are:

N51 31 13.8 W9 38 55.0

The tomb is located in the garden behind the restaurant, which is located on the left side before the road junction in Toormore (R591/R592) , when driving from Altar. Unfortunately nobody opened the door the last time I tried to visit the site back in 2008 and the ‘Private’ sign caused me to stop my search. So I left without having achieved anything.

But there is an alternate route to the tomb, which seems to provide a public access, as I saw no prohibition signs, when I finally found the site on my second attempt 2009.

Opposite of the road junction, there is a wooden fence and a kind of driveway. On the right side is a pedestrian way to the cove. Turn left, when you reach the cove and you should see a footpath, that goes upwards. Follow this path as it leads you straight to the site.

Visited May 2009

This stone circle lies north of the R585 between Kealkil and Cousane Gap. As the circle lies in the valley below the road, it’s very hard to impossible to spot it from the road. Just before a long left bend to Cousane Gap, there is a farm on the left side. Park here and ask the farmer for permission. As I arrived he was kind enough to open the gate (just before the farm) and pointed me in the right direction.

This is a very unusual five stone circle, as all stones are very low. This makes it difficult to locate the recumbent stone. But it’s the one that lies on the western side, opposite the broadest gap and the stone with the flattest top.

The circle lies on a small hillock surrounded by boggy moorland, but the nearby hills prevent far reaching views.

All in all a nice little stone circle and worth a visit!

Visted June 2009