Reanascreena Stone Circle

The superb stone circle of Reanascreena had been on my wish list of sites to visit ever since seeing images of the circle on the great Megalithic Ireland web site.

The Circle has twelve stones which are all over one meter in height.
The two portal stones (image 2 on the right) are slightly higher than the circles other stones.
The circle is aligned ENE-WSW and the circle has a diameter of just over 9 meters.

A feature I did not see on the day of my visit was the quartz stone in the middle of the circle. 

The circle has fencing quite close to the stones (which makes getting close ups of the stones impossible) this may be to protect the stones as Horses are sometimes kept in the sites field.

Reanascreena is truly a special site.
My visit was a bit rushed due to work but I would hope to make a return visit sometime in the future.

The site was excavated from 1959-69 by Fahy.

Access - The circle is not visible from the road.
I spoke to a farmer who gave me the directions.
Enter the first field via the gate to the right of the bungalow, walk up the field to the top of the hill and the circle is in the next field on your left.   

Coulagh Stone Circle

The Stone Circle of Coulagh is being kind to the site a bit of a mess.
Only two stone remain standing (both leaning quite strongly).

Because of the other stones in close proximity it is pretty hard to picture the circle in it's original form.
Is it a five stone recumbent circle or maybe the circle was even bigger, could the two standing stones be portal stones to the original circle.

I wish that I could give you a better idea of this site but probably we are best going with Jack Roberts who is pretty sure the site is a true 5 stone circle.

The site is worth a visit, but the area has many other stunning sites to offer like Ardgroom.

Access -  The R575 will bring you to the turn off for the site, the lane way is very narrow and the stones will be on your left two or so fields up. 

 


    

Glantane East Stone Circle

The stone circle of Glantane East is one of two such named circle's.
The other circle by the same name is said to be harder to find as it located amongst a group of trees.

This circle consists of six stones that are still standing.
The circle may once have had between eleven and thirteen stones.
The diameter of the circle is close to 4.5 meters.

There are two large pillar stones which were resurrected as recent as 1994 by the
Office of Public Works - one of these has fallen since then.
The upright pillar is close to 4 meters with the fallen one 3 meters in length.

Access - The circle can be seen from the road despite the field it is in being banked.
Once you have negotiated the electric fence you are left with a short walk to the site.

I have read Glantane East described elsewhere as a mess, this I find harsh as this site still has presence.
You also have the bonus of a tomb quite close by.          

Beltany Stone Circle

Beltany Stone Circle is a site that looks big (even on small images), but it is only when you walk up to the circle you realise how massive this site is !!

The circle consists of 64 stones and may have had as many as 80 stones originally.

The diameter of the circle is close to 45 meters with the centre having a raised platform.

The site was much disturbed at the beginning of the last century which resulted in many of the stones getting pushed outwards.

Some of the stones in the circle have an average height of 2 meters along with the outer stone which is 20 meters S/E of the circle.

The site is very well signposted from Raphoe with a few minutes walk from the parking area to the circle.









   
 

Derreenataggart West Stone Circle

Derreenataggart West Stone Circle can be found a short drive from Castletownbere, Co Cork.
What remains of this circle stands definitely with some jaw dropping background beauty.
Eight stones remain standing (nine if you count the stub of a broken stone).
The circle originally may have had as much as fifteen stones.
The diameter of the circle is just under 8 meters wide and the tallest of the stones are over 2 meters high.
The circle is well signposted from Castletownbere (about 2 kms ).
Parking is ok with a gate way opposite the site.
This circle although missing stones & with views blocked in some directions is still special so if your in the neighborhood Derreenataggart is a must !!      

Shronebirrane Stone Circle

What I have read and seen about this circle has always pushed it well down my list of must see sites - missing stones and being "Charged" for the privilege of looking at this site.
So when on my way back from another site close by (free to view) and with a bit of time to spare before work, I took the turn for this circle.
The drive down into Drimminboy Valley towards this site is nothing less than stunning and the setting for the remaining 8 stones (originally 13) could not be better.
The tallest of the circles stones is 2.6 meters high, with the others decreasing in height.
You will find better circles close by but for sheer backdrop this makes Shronebirrane a must see.
The Charge, well I hopped the gate saw no one and spent about 15 minutes at the site with the €2 in my pocket (which I spent on an ice cream on the way back to work).  
  

Athgreany Stone Circle (The Pipers Stones)

This large stone circle consists of fourteen stones, originally thought to have been seventeen.
The granite circle has a diameter of 23 meters, with the tallest stone 1.8 meters.
There are a number of other large stones close by which may have belonged to a second circle.
The circle is in a field (short walk) just off the N81 and is signposted "the pipers stones".
This is a superb circle with a wonderful atmosphere.

Lissivigeen Stone Circle

This small but superb stone circle can be found in Lissivigeen (a short drive from) Killarney town. These stones are known locally as the seven sisters, while the outlying stones (second image) are known as the pipers.

Uragh Stone Circle

If a top five must see stone circle's  in Europe list existed the the stunning Uragh Stone Circle would be close to the top of that list.

The width of the circle is 2.4 metre's it consists of five small stones with a very large megalith standing very close to the circle which is near to 3 metres.

The location is nothing short of magic, grass short (thanks to the sheep) it has mountains a lake, a waterfall and good sign posting to the site.

But please ignore the request on a sign to pay an entrance fee to see this superb circle, as "the owners of these lands (and some others) are just keepers of our heritage not owners as they would have you believe.

           

Drombohilly Stone Circle

The superb but hard to find Drombohilly Stone Circle will be worth every effort you put into finding it.

The tallest  stones are over 2 meters tall and there are nine in total.
The circle is about 8 meters in diameter and gives some stunning views from all angles.

Best time to visit this site is in the summer as the ground close to the circle is quite boggy in and after wet weather.

The main obstacle for those trying to find the site will be the tree's that have been planted above and below (which in time will hide the circle very well).

Which is not to say that will be your only problem finding this magic site, only for a kind local pointing out the circle when I was parallel with it (and about the best part of a mile away) I really think I would have drawn a blank.