Site Type: Stone Pair
Irish Grid Ref: O1446778182
Location: Link to Bing Maps
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| Winter Solstice sun-rise at Baltray Standing Stones |
Description:
This stone pair is described on Archaeology.ie as follows;
"Situated on edge of ridge, overlooking raised beach and sea to E. The NMI topographical file records three stones at the site, but only two are now visible. The two stones are large, shaley slabs set 9m apart. The N stone is the smaller (H 1.8m, 0.9m by 0.4m in section), orientated NW-SE. The S stone (H 2.9m, 1.2m by 0.3m in section) is also orientated NW-SE."
In 2004 it was the first time that I had ever gone to view the winter solstice sun-rise at a megalithic site. I met up with two of the legends of amateur archaeology in Ireland - Ken Williams (photographer and rock-art expert) and Anthony Murphy of the Mythical Ireland website who originally discovered this alignment. I couldn't believe when we got to view an amazing crisp sun-rise from the Baltray standing stones rising close to Rockabill island. Anthony Murphy proposes that in the Neolithic that the sun would have originally have risen over the islands. After many a dull winter solstice morning since I think the key is to bring a beginner with you to bring some "beginner's luck".
Links to photographs;Pictures of winter solstice sunrise on Ken Williams website www.shadowandstone.com
Links for further information;
Some further info about the stones on Mythical Ireland
