Who knows what went on here? Was it for worship of the Sun or Moon, sacrifices or perhaps some kind of observatory? This is no Stonehenge but impressive enough in its own way. I first came across this stone circle earlier in the Summer when I was driving through Shannonvale. I noticed the stones poking above the hedgerow and decided to stop and have a look. A few days ago I passed again. With the Sun high and bright in the sky, the light was not the best for a photograph (too much shadow and contrast), but then maybe the Sun is what these stones were put here for in the first place.
Since I wrote the above paragraph, I managed to find a link to this place. The small stone you can just about see in the centre is made of quartz and is called the "Sun Stone". In Irish this is "Cloich Griene" which became the "Clon" in Clonakilty (the second part of the name has something to do with woodland so the name Clonakilty means "stone in the trees" or something. Note - If you know any Irish please feel free to correct! I see from the link above that there is a nearby early Christian site with an Ogham stone. I look forward to going to have a look at this sometime - the transformation of these ancient people from worshipping the Sun to worshipping the Son is something I'd love to know more about...
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