List of axial five-stone circles

Uragh five-stone circle (the circle is in the centre, the large stone on the right is an associated monolith)

An axial five-stone circle is a particular type of megalithic ring of five stones of which many are found in southwest Ireland. These circles have an approximate axis of symmetry aligned in a generally northeast–southwest direction – the stone at the southwest side of the circle, rather than being an upright orthostat like the rest, rests on the ground with its long axis horizontal. Because it marks the axis it is called the axial stone. It is usually quite thin and it lies with its long thin edge along the circumference of the ring.

There are two types of axial stone circle, one type with five stones, listed here, and axial multiple-stone circles, with seven stones or more, listed at List of axial multiple-stone circles. Dating from the Bronze Age, these circles when constructed had an odd number of stones with two stones (portal stones) placed on either side of where the axis crosses the northeast side of the ring. They are found in County Cork and County Kerry.

Early in the 20th century this type of circle was called a recumbent stone circle by analogy with similar examples in Scotland but when it became clear there were substantial differences the term "Cork–Kerry stone circle" was used for both types until later the term "axial stone circle" became commonly used.

Ó Nualláin (1984) has published a comprehensive catalogue of stone circles in the two counties and Burl followed with two books, Burl (1995) and Burl (2000), covering a much broader area but still including this type of circle. Ireland's National Monuments Service, part of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, operates a database of archaeology sites and the list in this article covers the sites classified as "stone circle – five-stone". The NMS definition is:

Stone circle - five-stone

A distinctive form of stone circle found only in counties Cork and Kerry. It comprises a ring of five free-standing stones, symmetrically arranged so that one stone, the axial stone, is set directly opposite two stones, usually the tallest, marking the entrance to the circle. Characteristically, the stones reduce in height to the axial stone, which is set consistently in the south-western part of the circle. These circles are thought to have a ritual function and are dated to the Bronze Age (c. 2400-500 BC).

— Class List Definitions, "Stone circle - five-stone". National Monuments Service: Archaeological Survey of Ireland.

Included are 56 sites in County Cork and three in County Kerry.

List of axial five-stone circles

OpenStreetMap display of sites in Cork and Kerry
Map all coordinates using: OpenStreetMap

The map shows the locations of the 56 sites in counties Cork and Kerry. All the locations can be displayed dynamically via the OpenStreetMap viewer.

Townland SMR No. Ref. Diameter
(metre)
Num. stones Status
Notes
Lat/long Irish Grid
An Lománach Mhór
Lumnagh More
CO069-076---- -
2.1 5/5 51°55′26″N 9°14′49″W / 51.924°N 9.247°W / 51.924; -9.247 (An Lománach Mhór - CO069-076----) W142753
Ballyvouskill CO048-056---- none C5
3.5 5/5 ruin 52°00′43″N 9°05′13″W / 52.012°N 9.087°W / 52.012; -9.087 (Ballyvouskill - CO048-056----) W254849
Baurgorm (N) CO118-044002- 303A C6a
(85 16)
2.6 5/5 ruin 51°40′01″N 9°24′47″W / 51.667°N 9.413°W / 51.667; -9.413 (Baurgorm (N) - CO118-044002-) W023469
Baurgorm (S) CO118-042---- 303B C6b
(86 15)
2.6x2.5 5/5 ruin 51°39′29″N 9°25′26″W / 51.658°N 9.424°W / 51.658; -9.424 (Baurgorm (S) - CO118-042----) W015459
Bellmount Upper (N) CO083-118---- none C7a
(73 15)
4 5/5 gone 51°49′41″N 8°49′41″W / 51.828°N 8.828°W / 51.828; -8.828 (Bellmount Upper (N) - CO083-118----) W429642
Bellmount Upper (S) CO083-117---- none C7b
(74 15)
3.9 5/5 gone 51°49′37″N 8°49′52″W / 51.827°N 8.831°W / 51.827; -8.831 (Bellmount Upper (S) - CO083-117----) W427641
Cabragh CO059-015002- none C11
(63 18)
3.2 4/5 ruin 51°58′01″N 9°03′04″W / 51.967°N 9.051°W / 51.967; -9.051 (Cabragh - CO059-015002-) W278798
Canrooska CO090-006002- none C12
(76 20)
2.4 4/5 ruin 51°45′58″N 9°32′35″W / 51.766°N 9.543°W / 51.766; -9.543 (Canrooska - CO090-006002-) V935582
Cappaboy Beg (NW) CO092-004---- 306 C13a
(77 15)
2.3x1.8 5/5 ruin 51°47′46″N 9°19′59″W / 51.796°N 9.333°W / 51.796; -9.333 (Cappaboy Beg (NW) - CO092-004----) W081612
Carrigagrenane (NE) CO121-054---- 308 C15a
(91 18)
4/5 ruin 51°38′28″N 9°04′16″W / 51.641°N 9.071°W / 51.641; -9.071 (Carrigagrenane (NE) - CO121-054----) W259436
Carrigagulla (NE) CO049-007---- 309 C16a
(56 15)
3 2+/5 ruin 52°00′11″N 8°54′54″W / 52.003°N 8.915°W / 52.003; -8.915 (Carrigagulla (NE) - CO049-007----) W372838
Carriganimmy CO048-097001- 311 C17
(55 16)
3.3 5/5 good 51°59′31″N 9°01′48″W / 51.992°N 9.03°W / 51.992; -9.03 (Carriganimmy - CO048-097001-) W292826
Carriganine CO070-092---- none C18
(69 18)
5/5 unc. 51°53′46″N 8°58′52″W / 51.896°N 8.981°W / 51.896; -8.981 (Carriganine - CO070-092----) W325719
Carrigonirtane CO059-011---- none C20
2.8 4/5 ruin 51°58′26″N 9°02′24″W / 51.974°N 9.04°W / 51.974; -9.04 (Carrigonirtane - CO059-011----) W285806
Cashelkeelty (E) KE108-013004- 344 K1b
(93 17)
1.5 3/5 ruin 51°45′25″N 9°48′50″W / 51.757°N 9.814°W / 51.757; -9.814 (Cashelkeelty (E) - KE108-013004-) V748575
Clodagh CO120-001002- 312 C21
(88 18)
2.7 5/5 good 51°41′46″N 9°13′30″W / 51.696°N 9.225°W / 51.696; -9.225 (Clodagh - CO120-001002-) W153499
Cloghboola Beg CO048-080002- 313 C22
(53 19)
3.9x2.8 5/5 ruin 52°00′54″N 9°00′43″W / 52.015°N 9.012°W / 52.015; -9.012 (Cloghboola Beg - CO048-080002-) W305852
Cloghboola More CO048-025001- none C23
(52 15)
3.1 4/5 ruin 52°01′48″N 9°03′22″W / 52.03°N 9.056°W / 52.03; -9.056 (Cloghboola More - CO048-025001-) W275869
Cousane CO092-051---- 314 C27
(79 15)
3.2x2.4 5/5 good 51°45′22″N 9°17′13″W / 51.756°N 9.287°W / 51.756; -9.287 (Cousane - CO092-051----) W112567
Cullenagh CO107-024---- none C28
2/5 ruin 51°42′50″N 9°13′48″W / 51.714°N 9.23°W / 51.714; -9.23 (Cullenagh - CO107-024----) W150519
Cullomane East CO118-073001- 315 C29
(84 15)
3.9x3.4 5/5 good 51°39′11″N 9°23′35″W / 51.653°N 9.393°W / 51.653; -9.393 (Cullomane East - CO118-073001-) W036453
Derryarkane CO106-019---- none C34
3 5/5 good 51°43′41″N 9°22′23″W / 51.728°N 9.373°W / 51.728; -9.373 (Derryarkane - CO106-019----) W051536
Dromatouk KE093-087---- 345 K4
(92 15)
2.7 5/5 good 51°52′59″N 9°31′34″W / 51.883°N 9.526°W / 51.883; -9.526 (Dromatouk - KE093-087----) V949711
Dromgarriff South CO051-153---- none C37
(60 23)
3 0/5 gone 51°59′28″N 8°32′56″W / 51.991°N 8.549°W / 51.991; -8.549 (Dromgarriff South - CO051-153----) W623822
Dromgarvan CO116-006---- none C38
(83 15)
3x2.4 5/5 ruin 51°41′31″N 9°43′30″W / 51.692°N 9.725°W / 51.692; -9.725 (Dromgarvan - CO116-006----) V808501
Glanbrack CO121-059001- none C42
(90 16)
2.8 3/5 ruin 51°38′53″N 9°03′11″W / 51.648°N 9.053°W / 51.648; -9.053 (Glanbrack - CO121-059001-) W271444
Glenleigh CO039-097---- none C45
(50 15)
3.4 4/5 ruin 52°03′40″N 8°59′42″W / 52.061°N 8.995°W / 52.061; -8.995 (Glenleigh - CO039-097----) W318903
Glenreagh CO021-060---- none C46
(49 16)
3.5 4/5 ruin 52°10′34″N 9°11′10″W / 52.176°N 9.186°W / 52.176; -9.186 (Glenreagh - CO021-060----) R189033
Gort Na Tiobratan
Gortnatubbrid
CO058-029---- none C51
(61 15)
2.4 4/5 ruin 51°55′48″N 9°10′23″W / 51.93°N 9.173°W / 51.93; -9.173 (Gort Na Tiobratan - CO058-029----) W193758
Grenagh South CO051-103---- none C54
(59 23)
5 0/5 gone 52°00′25″N 8°37′44″W / 52.007°N 8.629°W / 52.007; -8.629 (Grenagh South - CO051-103----) W568840
Illane CO092-016001- none C55
(78 20)
2.7x2.3 5/5 ruin 51°46′48″N 9°22′59″W / 51.78°N 9.383°W / 51.78; -9.383 (Illane - CO092-016001-) W045595
Inchireagh CO107-012---- none C56
(82 17)
3x2.4 5/5 ruin 51°45′14″N 9°10′26″W / 51.754°N 9.174°W / 51.754; -9.174 (Inchireagh - CO107-012----) W189563
Inchybegga CO119-032---- none C57
(87 17)
3x2.7 4/5 ruin 51°39′32″N 9°22′34″W / 51.659°N 9.376°W / 51.659; -9.376 (Inchybegga - CO119-032----) W048460
Kealkill CO106-006001- 323 C59
(81 20)
2.8x2.5 5/5 good 51°44′42″N 9°22′16″W / 51.745°N 9.371°W / 51.745; -9.371 (Kealkill - CO106-006001-) W053555
Kilmeedy West (E) CO039-242---- -
1.6 4/5 52°02′38″N 9°06′00″W / 52.044°N 9.1°W / 52.044; -9.1 (Kilmeedy West (E) - CO039-242----) W245885
Kilmeedy West (W) CO047-005---- none C62
3.5 3/5 ruin 52°02′28″N 9°06′36″W / 52.041°N 9.11°W / 52.041; -9.11 (Kilmeedy West (W) - CO047-005----) W238881
Knockantota North CO051-018---- none C63
0/5 gone 52°02′20″N 8°38′42″W / 52.039°N 8.645°W / 52.039; -8.645 (Knockantota North - CO051-018----) W558875
Knockavullig (N) CO071-106---- none C65a
(71 17)
2.4x2.3 0/5 gone 51°53′02″N 8°49′44″W / 51.884°N 8.829°W / 51.884; -8.829 (Knockavullig (N) - CO071-106----) W429704
Knockavullig (S) CO071-068---- none C65b
(72 17)
3.2 5/5 ruin 51°52′55″N 8°49′52″W / 51.882°N 8.831°W / 51.882; -8.831 (Knockavullig (S) - CO071-068----) W428702
Knocknakilla CO048-095002- 324 C66
(54 19)
2.7 5/5 good 52°00′22″N 9°01′26″W / 52.006°N 9.024°W / 52.006; -9.024 (Knocknakilla - CO048-095002-) W297842
Knocknaneirk (NE) CO083-085002- none C67a
(75 16)
3.9x3.1 5/5 good 51°49′05″N 8°54′50″W / 51.818°N 8.914°W / 51.818; -8.914 (Knocknaneirk (NE) - CO083-085002-) W370631
Knockraheen CO059-023002- 325 C68
(62 18)
4.1x3.6 5/5 good 51°58′08″N 9°00′47″W / 51.969°N 9.013°W / 51.969; -9.013 (Knockraheen - CO059-023002-) W304801
Laharankeal CO060-137---- none C37
(64 17)
1.5 5/5 ruin 51°56′38″N 8°52′52″W / 51.944°N 8.881°W / 51.944; -8.881 (Laharankeal - CO060-137----) W394772
Leckaneen CO061-084---- none C72
(66 17)
3.5 5/5 ruin 51°56′28″N 8°48′54″W / 51.941°N 8.815°W / 51.941; -8.815 (Leckaneen - CO061-084----) W440768
Lettergorman (SW) CO121-035---- 326 C73b
(89 17)
3.1x2.8 5/5 ruin 51°39′29″N 9°04′01″W / 51.658°N 9.067°W / 51.658; -9.067 (Lettergorman (SW) - CO121-035----) W262455
Lissacresig CO070-016---- 328 C74
(r 17)
3.6x3 5/5 good 51°55′30″N 9°03′43″W / 51.925°N 9.062°W / 51.925; -9.062 (Lissacresig - CO070-016----) W270752
Maughanaclea centre CO106-014001- none C76a
2.6x2.2 5/5 ruin 51°45′07″N 9°19′12″W / 51.752°N 9.32°W / 51.752; -9.32 (Maughanaclea centre- CO106-014001-) W089562 2.9x2.7 W 390 821}}
Pluckanes North CO051-043001- none C80
([https://www.js
Mill Little CO105-004004- 332 C78
(80 18)
3.1x2.4 5/5 ruin 51°45′11″N 9°27′50″W / 51.753°N 9.464°W / 51.753; -9.464 (Mill Little - CO105-004004-) V989566
Oughtihery (NW) CO049-029---- 333 C79b
(57 17)tor.org/stable/25506112?seq=33 58] 22)
3.7x3.2 0/5 gone 52°00′43″N 8°40′37″W / 52.012°N 8.677°W / 52.012; -8.677 (Pluckanes North - CO051-043001-) W535845
Rosnascalp CO071-100---- none C83
(70 17)
3 5/5 ruin 51°53′10″N 8°53′56″W / 51.886°N 8.899°W / 51.886; -8.899 (Rosnascalp - CO071-100----) W381707
Rylane CO061-001---- 337 C84
(65 16)
3.7x2.9 5/5 good 51°58′55″N 8°49′01″W / 51.982°N 8.817°W / 51.982; -8.817 (Rylane - CO061-001----) W438813
Trawlebane CO119-005---- none C87
2.4 5/5 ruin 51°40′26″N 9°23′10″W / 51.674°N 9.386°W / 51.674; -9.386 (Trawlebane - CO119-005----) W042477
Tullig CO048-044---- none C88
(51 none)
0/5 gone 52°02′10″N 9°00′25″W / 52.036°N 9.007°W / 52.036; -9.007 (Tullig - CO048-044----) W309876
Uragh (NE) KE101-012001- none K19a
2.5x2.4 5/5 51°48′40″N 9°41′46″W / 51.811°N 9.696°W / 51.811; -9.696 (Uragh (NE) - KE101-012001-) V831634

See also

List of recumbent stone circles


This page was last updated at 2023-10-04 01:42 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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