Gallauns

In rough pasture, on a terrace to the S of a medieval road (KE108-013007-), on the lower N-facing slopes of Knocknaveacal. This stone circle (diam. 1.5m) is represented by an axial stone (L 1.5m; T 0.3m; H 0.5m) with a flanking stone on either side at N (L 0.8m; T 0.35m; H 0.65m) and at S (L 0.9m; T 0.4m; H 0.7m). Excavation in 1977 revealed sockets of the missing entrance stones, a flint point and a broken sandstone artifact, possibly an ard point (Lynch 1981, 65-9). A central pit-burial (KE108-013003-), covered by a single slab and containing the cremated remains of an adult, was also revealed. Based on radiocarbon dates acquired, the excavator assigned the construction of the stone circle to the period 970-715 bc [1308-774 cal. BC] (ibid., 66). There is a stone row (KE108-013002-) c. 1m to the S and a multiple-stone circle (KE108-013001-) c. 80m to the W. A field boundary (KE108-013006-) lies c. 70m to the E and other field boundaries (KE108-013005-) lie c. 15m to the W and c. 8m to the S. (Ó Nualláin 1984a, 45, no. 93) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Kerry. Volume I: South-West Kerry' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 30 May 2011

Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, this small stone circle may have had ritual or ceremonial significance. The axial stone suggests alignment or symbolic orientation, possibly linked to solar or seasonal markers, though specific folklore or use remains unrecorded.