What is recorded here

Nine stones enclose a small circle on the western slope of Knockcraugh Mountain, while two taller stones stand apart to the west like sentinels for a chamber no longer visible. The most southerly stone leans as if exhausted by centuries of rain, and the whole arrangement resists a simple explanation. Perhaps people once gathered there to mark seasons, settle disputes or remember someone the region has since forgotten.

On western slope of Knockcraugh Mountain c. 250m E of Aghalode River. Nine stones (L 0.3m-0.8m; H 0.2m-0.8m) enclose an area 6m in diameter (O Nualláin 1984a, 47). Two stones (H 1.37m ; 1.06m) 2m apart stand 10.97m to W of circle of stones. The most southerly stone is leaning heavily. Hartnett (1939, 39) recorded third stone (L 1.21m), fallen with its base resting in its original socket and these together with 'what appeared to be the sockets of removed stones, formed a circle of 16 feet diameter'. According to OS Name Books, site consisted of '2 stone circles....about 20 (stones) in the West circle (counting those forming the circle and those inside it) and 9 in the east one, some being inside circle' (Hartnett 1939, 39). O Nualláin (ibid.) concluded that 'the precise nature of these features is uncertain'. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 3: Mid Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

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