Stone Circle

In pasture on shoulder on N slopes of Maughanaclea hills, overlooking Owngar river valley. Circle appears to have consisted of thirteen stones. Twelve survive, five of which, including S entrance stone are prostrate. Orthostats are 0.7m to 2.1m L, 0.3m to 0.5m T and 0.8m to 1.6m H. Internal measurement along main axis, aligned NE-SW, is 11.3m. Two boulder-burials (CO106-01602-; CO106-01603-) stand within circle. (Ó Nualláin 1984, 19, no. 23; Roberts 1988, Ch. 5, no. 36) 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 Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age, the stone circle at Maughanaclea may have functioned as a ceremonial or ritual site, possibly aligned with seasonal or astronomical events. The presence of an entrance stone suggests a directional or symbolic orientation, though specific folklore or use remains unrecorded.