List of axial multiple-stone circles

Drombeg multiple-stone circle

An axial stone circle is a particular type of megalithic ring of stones of which many are found in southwest Ireland. Archaeologists have found it convenient to consider axial five-stone circles and axial multiple-stone circles separately – this list is of multiple-stone circles, those with seven stones or more. They have an approximate axis of symmetry aligned in a generally northeast–southwest direction – the stone at the southwest side of the circle, rather than being an upright orthostat like all the rest, rests on the ground with its long axis horizontal. Because it marks the axis it is called the axial stone. It is usually quite thin and it lies with its long thin edge along the circumference of the ring.[1][2]

Dating from the Bronze Age, axial stone circles when constructed had an odd number of stones with two stones (portal stones) placed on either side of where the axis crosses the northeast side of the ring. They are found in County Cork and County Kerry.[3][4][5]

Early in the 20th century they were called recumbent stone circles by analogy with similar examples in Scotland but when it became clear there were substantial differences the term "Cork–Kerry stone circle" was adopted.[6] The term "axial stone circle" has since become frequently used leaving it unclear whether both types or only the multiple type is meant.

Ó Nualláin (1984) has published a comprehensive catalogue of stone circles in the two counties and Burl followed with two books, Burl (1995) and Burl (2000), covering a much broader area but still including this type of circle. Ireland's National Monuments Service, part of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, operates a database of archaeology sites and the list in this article covers the sites classified as "stone circle – multiple-stone".[7] The NMS definition is:

Stone circle - multiple-stone

A distinctive form of stone circle found only in counties Cork and Kerry. It comprises a ring of free-standing stones, uneven in number (between 7 and 19) and symmetrically arranged so that one stone, the axial stone, is set directly opposite two stones, usually the tallest, marking the entrance to the circle. Characteristically, the stones reduce in height to the axial stone, which is set consistently in the south-western part of the circle. The diameters of these circles rarely exceed 10m. These circles form part of the funerary/ritual tradition of the Bronze Age (c. 2400-500 BC).

— National Monuments Service, Class List Definitions, "Stone circle - multiple-stone". National Monuments Service: Archaeological Survey of Ireland.

Included are 41 sites in County Cork, 15 in County Kerry and a single one in County Clare.[7]

List of axial multiple-stone circles

[edit]
OpenStreetMap display of sites in Cork and Kerry

The map shows the locations of the 56 sites in counties Cork and Kerry (an additional site in County Clare is off the map). All the locations can be displayed dynamically via the OpenStreetMap viewer.

Townland[n 1] SMR No.[n 2] Ref.[n 3] Diameter
(metre)[n 4]
Num. stones[n 5] Status[n 6]
Notes
Lat/long[n 7] Irish Grid[n 8]
Ahagilla CO121-100---- 7 3/?[7] ruin 51°38′28″N 8°57′47″W / 51.641°N 8.963°W / 51.641; -8.963 (Ahagilla - CO121-100----) W334436
An Dromaid (Dromod) KE089-053----
(39 8)
4 5/7*[n 9] ruin 51°51′25″N 10°06′54″W / 51.857°N 10.115°W / 51.857; -10.115 (An Dromaid - KE089-053----) V544693
Ardgroom SW CO102-006001- 302
(21 9)
7.3 10/11 good 51°44′10″N 9°52′12″W / 51.736°N 9.87°W / 51.736; -9.87 (Ardgroom SW - CO102-006001-) V709553
Ardgroom NE CO102-010---- 302
(20 8)
3/5+ gone 51°44′46″N 9°51′22″W / 51.746°N 9.856°W / 51.746; -9.856 (Ardgroom NE - CO102-010----) V719565
Ballyvackey CO135-005001-
(35 3)
8.5 7/9* ruin 51°37′59″N 8°56′53″W / 51.633°N 8.948°W / 51.633; -8.948 (Ballyvackey - CO135-005001-) W344427
Bohonagh CO143-032001- 304
(36 1)
9.9 13 good
excav.[10]
51°34′52″N 9°00′00″W / 51.581°N 9°W / 51.581; -9 (Bohonagh - CO143-032001-) W308369
Breeny More CO106-005001- 305
(24 6
14 5+ gone 51°44′31″N 9°22′30″W / 51.742°N 9.375°W / 51.742; -9.375 (Breeny More - CO106-005001-) W510553
Cappanaboul CO105-029001-
(22 5)
10.5 10/13* ruin 51°43′26″N 9°23′53″W / 51.724°N 9.398°W / 51.724; -9.398 (Cappanaboul - CO105-029001-) W340533
Carrigagrenane (SW) CO134-008---- 308
(33 3)
8.5 13/19[11] ruin 51°38′13″N 9°04′41″W / 51.637°N 9.078°W / 51.637; -9.078 (Carrigagrenane (SW) - CO134-008----) W254432
Carrigagulla (SW) CO049-008---- 310
(4 4)
9 15/17* ruin 52°00′00″N 8°54′58″W / 52°N 8.916°W / 52; -8.916 (Carrigagulla (SW) - CO049-008----) W371835
Carrigaphooca CO070-035----
(11 4)
5.5 5+ ruin[n 10] 51°54′32″N 9°01′41″W / 51.909°N 9.028°W / 51.909; -9.028 (Carrigaphooca - CO070-035----) W293735
Cashelkeelty (W) KE108-013001- 344
(47 -)
17 3/11 or 13 gone
excav.[13]
51°45′25″N 9°48′54″W / 51.757°N 9.815°W / 51.757; -9.815 (Cashelkeelty (W) - KE108-013001-) V747576
Coolaclevane CO082-066----
(13 3)
7.5 9 ruin 51°49′26″N 9°02′06″W / 51.824°N 9.035°W / 51.824; -9.035 (Coolaclevane - CO082-066----) W287640
Coollick KE058-134---- 10/?[7] good[7] 52°07′59″N 9°30′32″W / 52.133°N 9.509°W / 52.133; -9.509 (Coollick - KE058-134----) V967989
Coolmountain CO093-013----
(17 8)
9.2 2/11* gone 51°47′38″N 9°10′19″W / 51.794°N 9.172°W / 51.794; -9.172 (Coolmountain - CO093-013----) W192608
Coulagh CO114-002----
(25 2)
8.5 5+ gone 51°40′44″N 9°58′44″W / 51.679°N 9.979°W / 51.679; -9.979 (Coulagh - CO114-002----) V632492
Currabeha (S) CO083-109002-
(14 2)
7 5/9 or 11 ruin 51°49′41″N 8°51′22″W / 51.828°N 8.856°W / 51.828; -8.856 (Currabeha (S) - CO083-109002-) W411643
Currabeha (N) CO083-110----
(15 4)
8.5 13* gone 51°49′34″N 8°51′14″W / 51.826°N 8.854°W / 51.826; -8.854 (Currabeha (N) - CO083-110----) W412640
Curraghodea CL031-052---- 52°51′58″N 9°17′42″W / 52.866°N 9.295°W / 52.866; -9.295 (Curraghodea - CL031-052----) R128802
Derreenataggart West CO115-011002- 316
(26 2)
7.7 15* ruin 51°39′14″N 9°55′44″W / 51.654°N 9.929°W / 51.654; -9.929 (Derreenataggart West - CO115-011002-) V665463
Derrynafinchin CO092-001001-
(16 5)
8 11 or 13 ruin 51°48′14″N 9°22′55″W / 51.804°N 9.382°W / 51.804; -9.382 (Derrynafinchin - CO092-001001-) W480622
Doughill KE093-042----
(42 13)
9 0/17* gone 51°52′12″N 9°30′25″W / 51.87°N 9.507°W / 51.87; -9.507 (Doughill - KE093-042----) V963697
Dromagorteen KE102-032002- 10 13[7] ruin 51°49′52″N 9°30′43″W / 51.831°N 9.512°W / 51.831; -9.512 (Dromagorteen - KE102-032002-) V959653
Drombeg CO143-051002-
(37 1)
9.3 14/17[14] good
excav.[15]
51°33′50″N 9°05′13″W / 51.564°N 9.087°W / 51.564; -9.087 (Drombeg - CO143-051002-) W247352
Drombohilly Upper KE109-003001- 346
(48 2)
8.5 9/11*[16] ruin 51°47′13″N 9°45′14″W / 51.787°N 9.754°W / 51.787; -9.754 (Drombohilly Upper - KE109-003001-) V790608
Dromkeal CO105-003---- 9 13[7] ruin 51°44′02″N 9°26′38″W / 51.734°N 9.444°W / 51.734; -9.444 (Dromkeal - CO105-003----) W300545
Dromroe KE101-010001- 347
(45 7)
9.5 13/13 ruin 51°49′59″N 9°37′26″W / 51.833°N 9.624°W / 51.833; -9.624 (Dromroe - KE101-010001-) V881657
Dunbeacon CO130-030---- 318
(32 1)
8 11 ruin 51°35′42″N 9°32′56″W / 51.595°N 9.549°W / 51.595; -9.549 (Dunbeacon - CO130-030----) V927392
Garryglass CO120-062----
(27 -)
1/11[7] gone 51°39′14″N 9°07′26″W / 51.654°N 9.124°W / 51.654; -9.124 (Garryglass - CO120-062----) W223452
Glantane East (SW) CO048-090---- 319
(3 1)
5 11[7] ruin 51°59′53″N 9°02′53″W / 51.998°N 9.048°W / 51.998; -9.048 (Glantane East (SW) - CO048-090----) W281834
Glantane East (NE) CO048-093----
(2 9)
5 6/11 or 13* gone 52°00′14″N 9°02′42″W / 52.004°N 9.045°W / 52.004; -9.045 (Glantane East (NE) - CO048-093----) W283841
Gort An Acra CO069-015----
(9 1)
8 13 ruin 51°55′37″N 9°09′25″W / 51.927°N 9.157°W / 51.927; -9.157 (Gort An Acra - CO069-015----) W205756
Gort An Imill CO069-013---- 320
(10 4)
7.8 9 good 51°54′50″N 9°09′04″W / 51.914°N 9.151°W / 51.914; -9.151 (Gort An Imill - CO069-013----) W209741
Gorteanish (Ahakista) CO130-016---- 8 11/11[7] restored[17] 51°35′53″N 9°38′42″W / 51.598°N 9.645°W / 51.598; -9.645 (Gorteanish - CO130-016----) V861397
Gortroe CO094-046---- 322
(18 9)
8.5 11* unc. 51°47′35″N 9°04′34″W / 51.793°N 9.076°W / 51.793; -9.076 (Gortroe - CO094-046----) W258605
Gowlane North CO050-008----
(5 3)
6.5 8/9* ruin 52°01′16″N 8°45′07″W / 52.021°N 8.752°W / 52.021; -8.752 (Gowlane North - CO050-008----) W484856
Gurteen KE094-021001- 348
(43 7)
10.5 11/11 good 51°52′19″N 9°26′42″W / 51.872°N 9.445°W / 51.872; -9.445 (Gurteen - KE094-021001-) W500698
Kealagowlane CO104-027001- 8 11/11[7] ruin 51°42′43″N 9°37′37″W / 51.712°N 9.627°W / 51.712; -9.627 (Kealagowlane - CO104-027001-) V876523
Kenmare KE093-032001- 349
(41 7)
17x15[6] 15/15 good 51°52′41″N 9°35′17″W / 51.878°N 9.588°W / 51.878; -9.588 (Kenmare - KE093-032001-) V907707
Kilboultragh CO059-151----
(7 8)
9 0/11 gone 51°55′48″N 8°59′20″W / 51.93°N 8.989°W / 51.93; -8.989 (Kilboultragh - CO059-151----) W320757
Killowen KE093-018----
(40 12)
10[7] 0/11 gone 51°53′13″N 9°34′01″W / 51.887°N 9.567°W / 51.887; -9.567 (Killowen - KE093-018----) V922716
Kilmartin Lower CO050-061001-
(6 9)
3.4 6/7 ruin 51°59′28″N 8°48′00″W / 51.991°N 8.8°W / 51.991; -8.8 (Kilmartin Lower - CO050-061001-) W451824
Knocknaneirk CO095-016----
(19 1)
9.5 7/9* good 51°48′47″N 8°54′47″W / 51.813°N 8.913°W / 51.813; -8.913 (Knocknaneirk - CO095-016----) W371626
Knocks (NW) CO121-063----
(28 3)
9 11* ruin 51°39′32″N 9°00′47″W / 51.659°N 9.013°W / 51.659; -9.013 (Knocks (NW) - CO121-063----) W299456
Knocks (SE) CO121-067----
(29 8)
8.5 5+ gone 51°38′49″N 9°00′32″W / 51.647°N 9.009°W / 51.647; -9.009 (Knocks (SE) - CO121-067----) W302443
Lackaroe KE093-050001- 8 8/13[7] ruin 51°51′43″N 9°30′47″W / 51.862°N 9.513°W / 51.862; -9.513 (Lackaroe - KE093-050001-) V958688
Lissard CO042-074001-
(1 -)
8 0/5+ gone 52°03′50″N 8°36′32″W / 52.064°N 8.609°W / 52.064; -8.609 (Lissard - CO042-074001-) W583903
Lohart KE101-007001- 351
(44 -)
11 5+ restored 51°50′13″N 9°42′25″W / 51.837°N 9.707°W / 51.837; -9.707 (Lohart - KE101-007001-) V824663
Maughanaclea (NE) CO106-016001- 329
(23 5)
11.5 12/13* ruin 51°45′14″N 9°17′49″W / 51.754°N 9.297°W / 51.754; -9.297 (Maughanaclea (NE) - CO106-016001-) W105565
Maulatanvally CO121-057---- 331
(30 4)
9.5 7/11* ruin 51°38′46″N 9°03′54″W / 51.646°N 9.065°W / 51.646; -9.065 (Maulatanvally - CO121-057----) W263442
Oughtihery (SE) CO060-042---- 334
(8 8)
2.9 5/7* ruin 51°58′12″N 8°51′04″W / 51.97°N 8.851°W / 51.97; -8.851 (Oughtihery (SE) - CO060-042----) W415801
Readrinagh KE068-085---- 10.7[7] 0/29[7] gone[7][7] 52°04′16″N 9°19′19″W / 52.071°N 9.322°W / 52.071; -9.322 (Readrinagh - KE068-085----) W940918
Reanascreena South CO134-032---- 335
(34 11)
9.8x9.3 13/13 good
excav.[18]
51°37′05″N 9°03′47″W / 51.618°N 9.063°W / 51.618; -9.063 (Reanascreena South - CO134-032----) W264411
Shronebirrane KE108-022---- 353
(46 2)
7.5 9/13* ruin 51°44′13″N 9°48′14″W / 51.737°N 9.804°W / 51.737; -9.804 (Shronebirrane - KE108-022----) V754554
Teergay CO070-108---- 338
(12 3)
7.5 8/9* ruin 51°52′23″N 9°01′48″W / 51.873°N 9.03°W / 51.873; -9.03 (Teergay - CO070-108----) W291694
Templebryan North CO122-076---- 339
(31 4)
9.5 5/9* ruin 51°38′35″N 8°52′59″W / 51.643°N 8.883°W / 51.643; -8.883 (Templebryan North - CO122-076----) W389437
Uragh (SW) KE101-025001- 9.5x7.5 10/11[7] ruin 51°48′29″N 9°42′14″W / 51.808°N 9.704°W / 51.808; -9.704 (Uragh (SW) - KE101-025001-) V825630

See also

[edit]

List of recumbent stone circles

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The county is indicated in the first two letters of the SMR number. All are in County Cork or County Kerry except one in County Clare.
  2. ^ Sites and Monuments Record number allocated by National Monuments Service.
  3. ^ Number of site in Burl (1995). Also given is the Ó Nualláin (1984) reference number and figure number in parentheses linked to the page numbers in the article.
  4. ^ From Burl (2000) unless otherwise noted.
  5. ^ Original number of stones including the axial stone but excluding any central stone as given by Ó Nualláin (1984, pp. 4–5) unless otherwise stated. * = deduced or estimated. When expressed as x/y, x is the number of stones remaining (including fallen ones) and Y is number originally present.
  6. ^ Burl (1995) and Burl (2000) classifies the sites as follows 1 (good) = Good, worth visiting; 2 (OK) = Good but restored; 3 (ruin) = Ruined but recognisable; 4 (gone) = Destroyed or unrecognisable; 5 (unc.) = Uncertain.
  7. ^ Latitude/ longitude calculated from NMS Irish grid coordinates using Irish Grid Reference Finder.[7][8]
  8. ^ Irish Grid reference conversion from NMS Irish grid coordinates using Irish Grid Reference Finder.[7][8]
  9. ^ Axial stone missing.[9]
  10. ^ NMS says three stones survive[7] and Burl says "destroyed or unrecognisable".[12]

References

[edit]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ Ó Nualláin (1975), pp. 83–84.
  2. ^ Burl (2000), p. 264.
  3. ^ Scarre, Christophe (2002). Monuments and Landscape in Atlantic Europe: Perception and Society During the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age. Psychology Press. pp. 154–155. ISBN 978-0-415-27314-5.
  4. ^ Burl (2000), pp. 262–271.
  5. ^ Burl (2000), pp. 258, 262–265.
  6. ^ a b Ó Nualláin (1975), pp. 84–85.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u NMS Historical Environment Viewer.
  8. ^ a b "Irish Grid Reference Finder". irish.gridreferencefinder.com. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  9. ^ Ó Nualláin (1984), pp. 4, 26.
  10. ^ Ó Nualláin (1984, pp. 2–3) citing Fahy (1961)
  11. ^ Ó Nualláin (1984), pp. 4, 22–23.
  12. ^ Burl (2000), pp. 393, 398.
  13. ^ Ó Nualláin (1984, pp. 2–3) citing Lynch (1981)
  14. ^ Ó Nualláin (1984), pp. 4, 24.
  15. ^ Ó Nualláin (1984, pp. 2–3) citing Fahy (1959)
  16. ^ Ó Nualláin (1984), pp. 4, 30.
  17. ^ "Sheep's Head Stone Circle Revived!". roaringwaterjournal.com. August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  18. ^ Ó Nualláin (1984, pp. 2–3) citing Fahy (1962)

Works cited

[edit]

General references

[edit]