Visited on the 29th January 2012
Situated in the grounds of the catholic church at Darrary, just past the Agricultural College and the reconstructed Ring Fort at Luis na gCon (Lisnagun) at W417418.
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visited on January 2nd 2012
About 50 yards down the road on the right hand side (heading towards Knocknakilla) there is a stone allignment, made up of two stones. They are visible through the gate and are alligned NE - SW. Just walk along from where you are parked at the junction for the circle
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Visited 2nd January 2012
Another site that we found en route to somewhere else ! This time we were looking for Knocknakilla, heading down the lane when I hear the shout "STONES". A quick pull in at the junction, wait for the shower to pass then get out to see a mass of stones over in the field.
An information panel tells us that we are at Glantane East stone circle. What it doesn't tell you is how to get in the field. So it's a quick jump over the ditch and under the fence and head down to see what we've got. To be honest, it's a bit of a mess. There's a massive stone and an equally big one fallen at the other side of the circle. The circle has six stones still standing and there are others laying around. It is also surrounded by the remains of a fosse.
The information board says that there were possibly 11 or 13 stones in the circle originally.
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My favourite stone circle of all time. I lived around the area for 25 years, visiting it in all seasons. I loved it's remoteness and the fact that you had to make an effort to get there. The fact that a lot of people just walked by without giving it a second glance prompted me to write a poem about it back in 2008
Circles of Stone
My heart is in the lonely places, the forgotten places
that people walk by without seeing
that people walk by without thinking
Where echoes of the past float on the wind
For those that want to hear
For those who want to care
For those who want to be somewhere,
else
The Raven always watching over
Guardian of life and bearer of death
of those who have gone before
Their memories lost, waiting to be found
In the swirling mist and the circles of stone
I am a stranger in this time
Wandering and searching for a truth
that is always out of reach
and I sit
in the circle of life and death set in stone
and live with the pain of having no hope
while listening, for the voices of the past
February 2008
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Visited on the 20th January 2012
I've been meaning to visit this site for ages now and eventually got around to it last week.
From Skibbereen direction turn off left in Connanagh by the Beehive, go up the hill and take the first right.Keep going, ignore the left fork, go past the right hand turn and eventually you pass a farm entrance on your left, then there is a gate into a field, a big long field. This will be the field that you want. Really, you should go and ask the farmer , who lives up the next left by the bungalow. There are parking spaces along this road, before you reach the gate,
The day that I went, there was no answer at the farm, so I just went for it. Through the gate, up the long field and through the gate at the top.
Just as I reached the top of the hill, the circle came into view..... and so did the three BIG horses that are in the field. I'm not so keen on horses and I have to admit that they do make me a bit nervy ! so I quietly made my way over to the circle hopeing that they wouldn't see me. Of course, all three look up and make their way over,I quicken the pace and arrive at the circle before them.
The circle has an electric fence around it, but it's not switched on (or at least wasn't on this day !). The ditch surrounding the circle is full of stagnant rancid water lots of frog spawn, but luckily someone has put a few bits of wood to make access easier. You still sink ankle deep, but at least it's not knee deep.
This is a great circle though, it reminds me of a Dartmoor or West Cornwall circle.There are thirteen stones, all still standing. There is a feeling of peacefulness here. There is no noise other than the wind rustling through the grass. Even the horses, which are now grazing around the outside look calm and serene. It was a shame that it was such grey day, as I bet that the views from here are spectacular.
I'm definitely going to have to come back here again soon !
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Visited 2nd January 2012
About a mile further along the road from Carriganimmy to Knockraheen you will see a brown sign for Dolmen pointing right into a field. There is room to park a few yards backat the top of a long farm track, where there is a possible standing stone built into the stone wall.
Climb over the gate and in the field you will find a large cairn, a standing stone and the burial chamber.
The wedge tomb, which is also known as The Bealik, has had a stone wall (ditch) built behind it. The small rectangular standing stone is just slightly off allignment with the wedge tomb, some 60 ft away to the East
The large overgrown cairn lies in the corner of the field,
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Visited on the 2nd January 2012
Signposted from carriganimmy up a lane to the left (coming from Mill Street diresction). Keep going for a little over a mile and you will see a brown sign saying Archaelogical Sites. There's room to park by the sign. Go through the gate into the obligatory boggy field. There's a stone allignment a five stone circle and a radial cairn.
The allignment is made up of 2 quartz blocks together and a further granite block set back on its own some.The granite block has a cup mark on the top and all three are alligned NE towards the circle.
The circle itself is a nice large five stone recumbant circle in really good condition. It was a shame that the electric fence was so near, but you can't have everything !
The radial cairn is situated SE of the circle and all the monuments here are intervisible
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visited 5th January 2012
I parked at the junction at V854331 and walked down the lane. The Boulder burial is visible from the lane, situated near the shoreline of a small bay.You have to walk through a wet, tidal, reedy field to reach it.
It consists of a large boulder supported by three large stones.
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Visited 5th January 2012
Situated in a field off of a narrow lane between Dunmanus East and West. there is room to park in the gateway 50yds south.
It is over 2 metres in height and is leaning heavily against another stone. Possibly part of a two stone allignment.
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Visited 2nd January 2012
Cnoc na Cille - "Hill of the church"
Situated on the North Western slope of Musherabeg mountain.
There is a signpost and a gate, giving access, up a wet boggy hill.The site has been fenced off, presumably to protect it from the sheep or forestry workers ! There are two massive stones, one fallen, the other leaning towards the circle, forming an allignment NE - SW. Both are at least 3.5 to 4 metres tall. The circle itself is a five stone recumbant circle. Three stones still stand with two fallen.
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Visited 28th December 2011
Macha na Saili - "the milking place of the willows"
An Impressive site, made even more so by it's setting.
Five stones of varying sizes still stand and one slab has fallen. None of the stones are massive, but there is something special about this row. There is a great feel to the place and the atmosphere here is so relaxing.
The row lies on the North Western slope of Knockbreteen on a ENE - SSW axis. overlooking Lough Atoreen. To the West is Knockboy and Coomhoola Mountain. To the North is An Carran.
When excavated in 1977, several shallow pits were found to have been dug in the topsoil and quartz pebbles scattered around the stones. Two flint scrapers were also found.
Access is easy. there is a kissing gate, with room to park.
Go through the gate, up a slight hill and there it is, right in front of you.
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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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Its a good time to visit at the moment, as the very invasive gorse has been burnt back. The circle is indeed the area which is "cordoned " off and is much more obvious now. The Giants Grave is the ring cairn further North - the OS map is pretty useless/meaningless really. Look out for Dartford Warblers in the thick gorse between the circle and the cairn !
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After spending 25 years living around and wandering over Dartmoor and a brief 5 month stay in North Wales, I can now be found driving around the lanes of West Cork.
www.ancientstones.blogspot.com
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