Stone Circle, The Pinnacle — Glenlary

On the summit of Slievereagh known locally as 'The Pinnacle' (1531 ft. OD), with OSi trig station in centre of circle, on the townland boundary between Glenlary and Cloghast. Megalithic structures (LI049-093001-/093002-) lie 155m to the NW. Not marked on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map. Annotated ‘Stone Circle’ on the 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch sheet and depicted as a circular-shaped area defined by stones set into E facing cliff which marks townland boundary with Cloghast. Monument described in 1911 (Lynch and Fogerty 1911, 14-15) as follows; ‘The centre stone is at the ground level, and has an O.S. Bench mark cut in its face. The inner circle consists of five stones (one nearly covered), 4 ft. [1.21m] x 1 ft. 6 in. [0.48m] and 2 ft.[0.6m] high over the ground. The middle circle is about 36ft. [11m] in diameter, formed of eleven stones varying from 5 ft. [1.5m] to 3 ft. [0.9m] in length, 18 in. [0.45m] wide, and from 2 ft. [0.6m] to 6 in. [0.15m] in height. The stones of this circle to the south of the central line have fallen out and in, and the one to the extreme east has been moved so as to join the outer circle. The outer circle is about 47 ft. [14.32m] from N. to S., and it contains 17 stones varying in height from 4 ft. [1.2m] to 6 in. [0.15m], in length from 6 ft. [1.8m] to 4ft. [1.2m], and from 6 in. [0.15m] to 12 in. [0.3m] thickness. In this circle again there has been considerable alterations in stones forming it to the south. Here the ground falls away rapidly , and the stones have probably been thrown over the cliff. The last remaining one is 6 ft. [1.8m] x 3 ft. [0.9m], and rests on its side having fallen in against the slope. The next one, of irregular shape, 6 ft. [1.8m] x 3 ft. [0.9m], has fallen out, and is in danger of going down the slope. The long narrow stone second next to this is 5 ft. 6 in. [1.7m] in length, 3 ft. 9 in. [1.2m] over ground, and six inches thick, outside is another flat stone leaning against it. The ground is covered with stones laying about in all directions, which may at one time have formed portions of the circles or of a cairn, but I have avoided as far as possible marking any but those which are undoubtedly in or near their positions. When standing on the ground level at the outer circle the inner would appear to be 7 ft. [2.1m] above it to the west, and more than that to the east.’ De Valera and Ó Nualláin (1982, 79) described the site as follows: ‘This feature, which was not shown on the 1841 edition of the O.S. 6” map, is marked “Cromlech Stone Circle” on the 1901 edition. Lynch’s plan of the monument shows two concentric circles of stone standing at the edge of a rock-face. Some stones near the centre may indicate some form of chamber structure. The concentric circles seem to represent the base of a cairn. The cairn occupies a prominent hill-top position and looks across a valley to the passage-tomb on Duntryleague about 6.4km. distant to the north-east. It is possible that the site dealt with here is a passage -tomb but the evidence is not sufficient to permit classification.’ Surveyed by the ASI in 2000, described as circular area defined by ring of stone (diam. 14.4m N-S x 14.2m E-W) (type unclear-possibly sandstone or shale). Within this outer ring is possibly two inner rings. The innermost ring (diam. 4m N-S x 6m E-W) is almost complete. OS plinth disrupts the full circle. This inner ring is the highest part of the site. The ground slopes from here to the outer ring (height difference c. 1m). The inner ring is not centrally located within outer ring, it is off set to E of centre. Another possible ring of stones is located outside inner ring on the S and W sides. This is very disturbed and partial.’ Possible kerb-circle or robbed out cairn of which only the kerbstones survive are visible on OSi orthophotograph taken between 2005-12 and clearly visible on Google Earth orthoimage dated 28/06/2018. See attached photographs and plans from Lynch and Fogerty 1911, sketch plan from ASI and Google Earth orthoimages. Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 2 November 2021