Boleycarrigeen

Suspected Alignment / Alignments:  Winter Solstice Sunset / Summer Solstice Sunrise
Site Type: Stone Circle
Irish Grid Ref: S9350189244
Location: Link to Bing Maps

Boleycarrigeen stone circle when it was surrounded by trees.

Description:

This stone circle is described on Archaeology.ie as follows;

"Situated in forestry on a low E-W ridge with extensive views to the N, E and S. Known locally as the 'Griddle Stones'. Circular site (int. diam. 13.5m) at present defined by eleven evenly spaced upright stones (1.3-1.8m apart). The entrance (Wth 1.3m) is at the SSW. The stones appear to rise in height from the entrance (H 1.3m) to the tallest stones (H 1.4-1.88m) at the NNE. The circle is on the inner edge of an earthen bank (Wth 1.75m (at the SE) to 2m (at the SW); H 0.4m). There are no stones in the NW quadrant or at E. A tumulus (WI027-040----) lies 75m to the E."

Boleycarrigeen stone circle is way off the beaten track and I would recommend using a GPS and a map to find it. When I last visited it was within a coniferous tree plantation. These trees where harvested in the last few years and the views have been opened up making it easier to examine any possible alignments. Tom Fourwinds of www.megalithomania.com and Ken Williams www.shadowandstones.com jointly propose that this circle is aligned to winter solstice sun-set. Ken Williams took some photos in early January that suggest they are correct (See below).


I also note Professor Ronald Hicks suspects that the circle may also be aligned to the summer solstice sun-rise as the tallest stone in the circle marks its rising position.

Links to photographs;
Picture of sun-set by www.themodernantiquarian.com contributor Ken Williams

Links for further information;