Stone Circle — Loughgur

National monument No. 247. Situated on the E facing slope of Knockadoon overlooking Lough Gur in an area rich in prehistoric monuments. Depicted as a stone circle on all editions of the OS 6-inch maps. Prehistoric enclosure annotated as a 'Stone Circle' (LI032-022020-) and standing stone (LI032-022021-) 85m to SSE, prehistoric house sites (LI032-022006/009/010-/012-/013/014/015/016/019) 90m to S, Seeaghanmnatee (LI032-022002-) 145m to WSW. Enclosure listed in 1912 by Windle as Circle K and Ó Ríordáin excavated the monument in 1940 (No. E000252). The excavation revealed that; 'This is an enclosed habitation site dating to the later Neolithic and Beaker periods. Two major phases of activity are represented. In the earlier unenclosed phase, occupation centred on a roughly square house (No. 1) (LI032-022036-). Subsequently this was replaced with a rectangular house (No. 2) (LI032-022011-) located within a double-kerbed enclosure. A small quantity of later Bronze Age material came from higher levels on the site' (Grogan and Eogan 1987, 336). Five burials (LI032-022037-) were excavated in 1940 adjacent to the square-shaped prehistoric house site. Prehistoric kerbed enclosure described by Ó Ríordáin (1954, 445, 458) as a circular habitation enclosure surrounded by a double-kerbed bank. This type of prehistoric enclosed habitation site was described as a circular shaped area delimited by a substantial double-kerbed wall retaining a rubble and earth bank (Grogan and Eogan 1987, 299-300). According to Grogan and Eogan (1987, 300) this site type on Knockadoon revealed 'Evidence for centrally located houses came from three sites and there was a limited number of individual burials contemporary with the settlement. Three of the sites, including one which was of single-phase activity only, were enclosed during the Neolithic, while the walls at two other sites were constructed in the Beaker period. Domestic occupation continued into this period at some sites, and at one site the final phase is represented by a small quantity of Bowl food vessels. Limited activity occurred during the Later Bronze Age at Circle K while Circle J was used as a burial ground during the first millennium A.D.' Enclosed prehistoric habitation site listed as 'Stone Circle K' by Windle who described the monument as following; 'This is the largest and most important circle of the group at present under consideration. It is a large circle, or rather a series of three concentric circles, composed of small stones. Thus it corresponds, save in size and in the possession of a gallaun, with the circle just described. The outer diameter of the outside circle is 102 feet 6 inches [31.25m]. The inside measurement of the second circle is 88 feet 6 inches [27m]. The average width of the ambulatory between them (inside measurement) is 4 feet [1.2m]. On the eastern side there is a considerable gap in the outer part of the circle looking towards the two gallauns on the side of the hill, and here there are some indications of an avenue. The compass bearing taken at right angles to the centre of this opening is 153°. The two outer circles are best defined on the east, fairly well on the south, badly on the north, and not very well on the west. There is no stone more than 4 feet [1.2m] in height, and many of them are much less. With regard to the small central circle which seems to have existed originally this consists now of some scattered stones overgrown with grass and moss. I cannot speak with absolute certainty as to these representing a small circle, but I think that they do so. It is quite impossible to count the stones, but, judging from those visible and from the moss-mounds which represent others, there must originally have been something like 200. The two gallauns "I" are not horizon marks from this circle, but the outcrop and conical Galtee are. The magnetic bearing from the north stone to the southern side of the opening over the outcrop of rock to the top of the conical hill is 153°. From the centre of the opening it is 155° 5". All the visible stones in this circle are limestone' (Windle 1912, 300-1). Monument described by O'Kelly (1944, 25-6) as following; 'This is the largest circle on Knockadoon its diameter being 102' [31m]. It is composed of two concentric rings of stones placed close together leaving an annular space between, which is filled with rubble. The entrance is on the E side. Excavation by Ó Ríordáin showed that there had been four wooden posts terminating the ends of the circle at the entrance passage'. The monument was described in 1978 as a circular-shaped area (diam. 31m) defined by two concentric rings of contiguous stones (Max. H 1.2m) with an open flat area (Wth 1.2m) between the two rings. The interior was entered through an entrance gap at E. Excavation around the entrance gap revealed rock cut postholes which supported timbers for a possible wooden gate. In the centre of the circle the remains of a rectangular building (LI032-022011-) probably a house was uncovered. The outline of the building was defined by a series of rock cut postholes and the partial remains of low wall footings of the foundation of the structure (O'Kelly and O'Kelly 1978, 31-2). This type of prehistoric enclosed habitation site was described as a circular shaped delimited by a substantial double-kerbed wall retaining a rubble and earth bank (Grogan and Eogan 1987, 299-300). To see a 3D model of this monument, visit: https://skfb.ly/ossuP Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 23 May 2018