Stone Circle

In undulating pasture, with views W to Killarney and Macgillycuddy's Reeks. This stone circle (int. diam. c. 4m) lies in the centre of an earthen enclosure (int. diam. c. 20m) (KE067-020001-). The stone circle, which is comprised of seven stones (L 0.5-1.2m; T 0.4-1m; H 0.9-1.2m), was regarded by Ó Nualláin (1984a, 25, no. 38) as typical of the Cork-Kerry series, with the stones decreasing in height as they appraoch the axial stone at SW. A recent interpretation by O'Brien (2004, 329), however, concluded that the identification of the axial stone and the associated orientation are open to question. The enclosure is defined by an earthen bank (Wth 3.4m; int. H 1m; ext. H 0.8m), partially obscured by trees and bushes, and has breaks at NE and SW. A limited excavation in 1998 revealed the presence of a steep-sided fosse (Wth 3m at top, 1m at base; D 2.5m) directly inside the enclosing bank and also confirmed that the enclosure (KE067-020001-) is prehistoric in date (O'Brien 2000, 94-5; 2004, 323-38). A standing stone-pair (KE067-020004-) is c. 14m to the S. Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork. Date of upload: 31 January 2011

Probably dates to the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age, given the typical construction of small stone circles in this region. The site may have had ceremonial or ritual significance, possibly linked to seasonal or astronomical events.