What is recorded here

Five stones once circled the headwater of the Clodagh river in County Cork, now reduced to an axial stone and a flanking guardian. The main axis pointed east-west, suggesting the circle measured daylight or marked a boundary between human pasture and wild water. Whatever purpose it served, the valley still holds the shape of that intention beneath grass and rain.

In pasture, in valley c. 50m E of headwater of Clodagh river. Possible five-stone circle; axial-stone and flanking stone survive. Former is 0.65m L, 0.35m T and 0.85m H. Latter is 0.75m L, 0.75m T and 1.2m H. Main axis appears to have been aligned E-W. 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 Neolithic or Bronze Age, this five-stone circle may have had ceremonial or astronomical significance, common to such sites in prehistoric Ireland. The axial stone and flanking stone suggest alignment with seasonal markers, though local folklore or specific use is not recorded.

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