The fantastic Carrigagulla stone circle at last! Oh how I've longed to make the journey here. I think it was one of the first Irish sites I saw a picture of and really wanted to get there. Quite a few years later I make it. I think the trek up the one mile long lane always put me off, but you shouldn't let it do so. When you have to pass right by the farm to get somewhere it always makes me wary: will I be the final straw? Will I be chased off as one too many pestering visitors? There's not much fear of that here if you're polite and considerate. The farmer is a very nice man and loves to accomodate people. He did say that he gets a little ticked off with people leaving gates open and such, and people trying to drive up the lane when it clearly says 'Road Closed'! He's had several Fiestas blocking his lane because their sumps have been torn off. The sign is there for a purpose ...
Now. The circle. Wow! It's as good as, no IT'S BETTER THAN it appears in all the pictures. It is as close to perfect, while so close to pine plantations as you will find anywhere.
This is a multiple stone circle with a long low (1m x 20cm tall?) axial stone. From this the other stones rise up gracefully to the entrance stones, which are just 60cm tall. The overall diameter is about 7.5m and a small stone stands in the centre.
It is built on a shallow rise surrounded by boggy land in the base of a bowl shaped valley. This is a very secretive location. Its survival is a testament to the reverence that some people have held for the stones for many,many years now. The original farm house ruins are just 75m away.
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A Random Selection of Nearby Monuments
Knocknaneirk - SW (Co. Cork) | Clogherny (Co. Tyrone) | Grange North (Co. Limerick) |
Toor (Co. Wicklow) | Aughlish (Co. Derry) | Ballygroll 8 (Co. Derry) |