Stone circle

The National Monuments Service's description

Known as the Bocan stone circle the site now consists of seven standing stones, 1m-2m high, and a few fallen and broken stones partially enclosing a subcircular area c. 20m in diameter. The stones are all concentrated in the NW and SE quadrants. Shaw Mason (1816, 180) described twelve upright stones which formed part of a circle of sixty feet diameter and went on to say that 'graves' containing 'earthen urns' have frequently been discovered at Bocan. In the SW quadrant there is a track, possibly the result of livestock using stones (now removed?) as scratching posts. The interior of the circle as well as sections of the perimeter are confused by field clearance stones. No trace exists of the two possible outliers noted as being to the E of the circle (Swan 1949, 113). The site is situated on the W slopes of a low hill, in a large recently reclaimed grazing field, with extensive views on all but the E side.

The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated.

Date of upload: 22 September 2008