Stone row

The National Monuments Service's description

This four-stone row is situated in a prominent position on the crest of a ridge running between Lough Currane and Ballinskelligs Bay, and commands extensive views in all directions. The field in which the site is located has recently been reclaimed, and an enclosure incorporates the monument on its NW side. The stone row is aligned ENE-WSW and is 8.6m long. The orthostat at ENE inclines heavily to N, and measures 1.7m x 1.55m x .3m; between it and the second stone is a prostrate slab. The second stone, 1.28m to WSW, stands 1.9m high and measures .85m x .65m at base. Disposed at right angles to its SE face is a slab set on edge which measures .88m high, 1.17m wide and .25m thick. The third stone, .95m to WSW, stands 2.72m high and measures 1.52m x .52m at base. A further .5m to WSW is the fourth stone, which is irregular in elevation, particularly along its NE edge; it stands 2.8m high and its basal dimensions are 2.1m x .32m. Lying against its SE face is a large slab, the function of which is unclear. The remains of an old wall occur between the orthostats and spill downslope to NW.
Analysing the significance of the stone row's orientation, Lynch concluded that it was aligned on the setting sun at the winter solstice (1981b, 26). Ó Nualláin, however, expressed doubt about the status of this monument because of its location on the perimeter of the enclosure (1988, 200). It is reputed to mark the burial place of Sceine, the wife of Amergin, the Milesian leader (Barrington 1976, 284).
The enclosure, suboval in plan, incorporates the stone row on its NW side. Internally it measures 15.5m NW-SE x 13.8m NE-SW. The bank, which has been greatly denuded since Lynch's description of it (1902b, 331), appears to be composed of earth intermixed with stone. It is 1.3m high externally at W, and its top is almost flush with the interior. Lynch excavated a portion of it and found it to be constructed of stone; he recorded it as four feet (1.2m) wide and three feet (.9m) high (1902b, 331). A 1m wide entrance-like gap occurs at E and is flanked on its N side by a large upright, 1.12m high. A slab set on edge defines its S side. Two other slabs lying nearby may have formed part of the entrance.

The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 109. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 28 July 2013