Stone Circle

In pasture on a natural rock terrace on the S slope of a low hill. This stone circle was excavated in 1957 (Fahy 1959, 1-27), and the nearby fulacht fiadh (CO143-051002-) and hut site (CO143-051001-) in 1958 (Fahy 1960, 1-17). The circle consisted of seventeen stones; two are missing and one has fallen. The stones are 0.55m to 2.05m L, 0.2m to 0.65m T and 1.1m to 2.05m H. On the upper surface of the axial stone, which is the largest stone in the circle, are two shallow cup-marks, one surrounded by an oval carving. The internal measurement along the main axis, aligned NE-SW, is 9m. Five pits were found within the circle, sealed beneath compacted gravel floor; one pit contained the deposit of cremated human bone, fragments of shale and numerous sherds of coarse fabric pot. Initial radiocarbon dating of the charcoal from the burial returned as BC 13 ± 140 (Fahy 1960, 17), which was later amended to AD 600 ± 120 (D-62) which is 'clearly anomalous' (O Nualláin 1984a, 10). However, a more recent analysis of the charcoal from the grave returned a date range of 1124-794 BC (Waddell 1998, 169), making it a lot older than first thought. Other finds from the circle included seven pieces of flint, including a small convex scraper. (O Nualláin 1984a, 24. no. 37; Roberts 1988, Ch. 2, no. 5) This is a National Monument in State Guardianship (no. 381). 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. See attached photographs CO143-051002-_01: view of circle, looking S. CO143-051002-_02: view of circle, looking SW towards hut site and fulacht fiadh. CO143-051002-_03: One of the stones, looking NE. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009 Date of last revision: 27 June 2023

Drombeg Stone Circle is likely from the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age, based on the typical dating of such monuments in Ireland. It may have had ceremonial or astronomical significance, and local folklore sometimes associates it with the Children of Lir.