What is recorded here

Thirteen stones, twelve surviving, form a circle in pasture on the Maughanaclea hills, aligned NE-SW across 11.3m with two boulder-burials inside. Five stones, including the southern entrance marker, now lie prostrate, yet the ring still holds its shape above the Owngar valley. People may have walked this axis at sunrise, past buried ancestors, before cattle and time knocked the circle flat.

In pasture on shoulder on N slopes of Maughanaclea hills, overlooking Owngar river valley. Circle appears to have consisted of thirteen stones. Twelve survive, five of which, including S entrance stone are prostrate. Orthostats are 0.7m to 2.1m L, 0.3m to 0.5m T and 0.8m to 1.6m H. Internal measurement along main axis, aligned NE-SW, is 11.3m. Two boulder-burials (CO106-01602-; CO106-01603-) stand within circle. (Ó Nualláin 1984, 19, no. 23; Roberts 1988, Ch. 5, no. 36) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 1: West Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1992). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

Likely dating to the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age, the stone circle at Maughanaclea may have functioned as a ceremonial or ritual site, possibly aligned with seasonal or astronomical events. The presence of an entrance stone suggests a directional or symbolic orientation, though specific folklore or use remains unrecorded.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.