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.









   
 

Kildare Round Tower

Kildare Round Tower rises to an impressive 32 meters in height.
The tower was constructed from Wicklow granite and local limestone.
This tower is from the 12th Century and is said to have been built on the ruins of an earlier tower.

The doorway is without doubt the standout feature of the tower.
It is 4.5m from ground level and has the remains of some Romanesque motifs.
The tower (which is the second highest in Ireland) can be climbed in the summer for a small charge.

The grounds also contain St Brigid's Cathedral, a High Cross and the remains of St Brigid's Fire Temple.
Opening times for the tower are  May to Sept 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm, Sunday is just 2pm to 5pm.

Ardamore Stone Alignment & Standing Stone

Ardamore stone alignment consists of three standing stones, which is over 7 meters in length.
The tallest of the three is 3 meters in height with the other two just over 2 meters.
The alignment is claimed to be orientated on the setting sun at the Winter Solstice.  
The setting for this site could not be more stunning with great backdrops in every direction (on a clear day).

The standing stone is in the same field as the alignment and is equally impressive.
This beast of a stone is north-east of the alignment and is located in the bottom part of the field.
The stone is close to 3 meters in height and is 2 meters in width.
One side of the stone is decorated with art motifs, to see these markings click on this link to Megalithic Ireland .
Finding this great site is pretty easy I asked for permission at the farm and walked up the rough road (about 4 minutes).   

Dromatouk Stone Circle

Dromatouk Stone Circle is a great little circle that is well worth the effort of finding.
When you do find the circle it throws in a nice bonus for the effort (see below).

The small (but perfectly proportioned) circle has five stones - with two large black thorn trees growing inside the stones.
The largest of the stone is 1.5 meters in height with the circle over 2 meters in diameter.

Finding the circle is pretty easy if you approach it from the southern side.
I found a track that brought me right up to the field that has the circle in it.
I made my trek to the circle in the middle of Ireland's two week heatwave (yes heatwave and Ireland in the same sentence!!!!), which meant the track was dry and firm. This could be a different story at other times of the year as the land is very boggy in most parts.

The bonus you can just spot in the top image.
It is behind the trees to the right of the circle - Standing stones (a post of which will follow soon).

Shrule Castle

Located on the Galway Mayo border is the ruin of Shrule castle built around 1238 by the Norman deBurgo family of Galway.
All that remains today is four walls (with a couple of very nasty cracks running from top to bottom).
The history of the castle would appear to have been fairly quiet until 1570 when it was captured by
Sir Edward Fitton with a strong British force.
From then on the castle exchanged hands several times.
It was occupied until sometime in the 17th Century.
History refers to a massacre that took place in 1641, but their is some dispute as to the amount killed.
The castle is on your right as you come into Shurle from Galway, and is very easy to spot as you travel along the N84
This ruin is in a dangerous state so caution should be used at all times during your visit.

 



 

Annaghmore Portal Tomb

Annaghmore Portal Tomb is a small but very compact tomb, which can be found in its own neat little enclosure beside the road.
   
The tomb has two portal stones (one much taller than the other), two side stones and a back stone.

The Capstone is 2.2 meters in length and 2.1 meters in width (the roof of which has some very strange stone work), this all comes together to give the tomb a most unique look.   

My one concern for this site (my visit was early summer) is that it is being attacked by ivy in a few different spots, it would be such a shame if this tomb where to become overgrown as it has plenty of character.

The site is not signposted, but if your coming from the Longford direction take the R198 for Drumlish, clicking on the location/map tab will bring you to the tomb via Google street view.   

Minard Castle

Minard Castle was built by the Knight's of Kerry and may have been the last Fitzgerald castle built on the Dingle Peninsula.  
Walter Hussey a Norman had a garrison in the castle in 1641.
During this time the castle was attacked and destroyed and all inside killed by a Cromwellian army led by Colonels Lehunt and Sadler.

The beach beneath the castle is a natural storm beach and has large sandstone boulders.
Some of these stones are claimed to have been used for ogham stones in the locality.

Minard is very easy to find - it is signposted just off the N86.
This very striking ruin was a revisit for me.
If you are in the area I would place Minard on the top of your list of the many must see places close by.