Coolcoulaghta Standing Stones

Coolcoulaghta Standing Stone
Native name
Irish: Galláin Chuar Chuallachta
Location of Coolcoulaghta Standing Stone in Ireland
Type Standing stones (stone row)
Location Coolcoulaghta, Durrus,
County Cork, Ireland
Coordinates 51°35′48″N 9°32′36″W / 51.596667°N 9.543333°W / 51.596667; -9.543333Coordinates: 51°35′48″N 9°32′36″W / 51.596667°N 9.543333°W / 51.596667; -9.543333
Elevation 109 m (358 ft)
Height 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)
Built 2200–600 BC
Owner Office of Public Works
Official name: Coolcoulaghta Standing Stones - Pair
Reference no. 565

Coolcoulaghta Standing Stones is a pair of standing stones forming a stone row and National Monument located in County Cork, Ireland.[1][2]

Location

Coolcoulaghta Standing Stones stand in a field 3.2 km (2.0 mi) southwest of Durrus.

History

The stones possibly date to the Bronze Age period. It points towards Dunbeacon stone circle 400 m (¼ mile) to the west and the stones may have been used for astronomical observation.[3][4]

They were removed in 1980 but the stones were replaced in 1983 by the Office of Public Works, after local outcry, using a plan and elevation made in 1977 by archaeologists of Ordnance Survey Ireland.

The purpose of standing stones is unclear; they may have served as boundary markers, ritual or ceremonial sites, burial sites or astrological alignments.[5]

Description

The stones are both about 1.8 m (6 ft) tall.[6]

A third stone once stood 63 m (70 yd) SSW of the pair; this has since been removed.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology, Celtic studies, history, linguistics and literature". The Academy. 1 January 1988 – via Google Books.
  2. ↑ Riordain, Sean P. O. (30 October 2014). "Antiquities of the Irish Countryside". Routledge – via Google Books.
  3. ↑ "Ireland 2. The standing stones of Coolcoulaghta and Dunbeacon stone circle, prehistoric sites south of Durrus near Bantry".
  4. ↑ Ireland, Royal Society of Antiquaries of (1 January 1995). "Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland" – via Google Books.
  5. ↑ Ryan, Áine. "CULTURE Legacy of Lankill". The Mayo News.
  6. ↑ Map, The Megalithic Portal and Megalith. "Coolcoulaghta".
  7. ↑ Wilson, Mike. "Coolcoulaghta Stone Pair ~ mega-what.com Ancient Sacred Places".
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