Stone circle

The National Monuments Service's description

Stone Circle described in 1943 as following; 'Only in the north-east arc of this circle are the stones remaining fairly perfectly in their original positions (Fig. 10). Many have gone altogether on the north-west and south sides. In the remaining arc the stones are almost contiguous and are nearly all of limestone, but a few are of volcanic breccia. A modern fence has been built in an east-west direction across the circle. This almost passes through the centre. On the north-west arc of the circle where the stones are gone there is a "step-down" to the level of the field outside. This is not apparent elsewhere. It is due to the fact that the packing of small stones which held the large stones in place has remained. The circle was tilled in 1941. In ploughing, the above mentioned stone packing suffered very much. During the tillage nothing was found. The overall diameter is 110' [33.5m] and the greatest height of any of the stones does not exceed 4' [1.2m], the average height being about 3' [0.9m]. All the stones are rough boulders rather than standing stones' (O'Kelly 1942-3, 178). The outline of the monument is clearly visible today on Digital Globe aerial photographs.

See attached plan of stone circle taken from O'Kelly 1942-3, Fig. 10.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 26 February 2020

References

O'Kelly, M.J. 1942-3 A survey of the antiquities in the barony of Small County, Co. Limerick. North Munster Antiquarian Journal 3, 75-97, 169-84, 222-46.