Stone circle

On tract of partially reclaimed moorland, on E side of Keel River valley. Circle incomplete; may have consisted of eleven or perhaps thirteen stones. Six erect stones survive; five form arc to E. Orthostats are 0.8m to 1.05m L, 0.15m to 0.35m T and 0.5m to 1m H. Internal diameter of circle is c.4.5m. Pit at centre is modern. Circle is surrounded by fosse (D 0.6m; Wth 2m-2.5m), measuring 10m diameter from outer rim to outer rim. Slight traces of external bank. Pillar-like stone set on edge along outer face of fosse and second pillar-like stone lies 8m to SE of circle. Wedge tomb (6406) stands 100m to S, pair of standing stones (6551) c. 250m to NE and radial-stone enclosure (6493) c. 350m to NE. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 3: Mid Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 171/1941).

Likely dating to the Neolithic or Early Bronze Age, this stone circle may have been used for ritual or ceremonial purposes. Incomplete circles of this type are often associated with seasonal or astronomical alignments, though local folklore may also link them to ancient spirits or fairy legends.