Broadleas Stone Circle
Location: Broadleas, Co. Kildare
Classification: Stone Circle
SMR Code: KD029-023----
Rating:
Broadleas Stone Circle stands on a slightly elevated mound in a pleasant field used for pasture. The circle measures over 30 metres in diameter. 27 boulders remain today, of a possible 47 or 48 original stones. In places, the stones are almost contiguous and the monument is thought to be a transition between the chambered tombs of the Neolithic and the later stone circles of the Bronze Age. A Holly tree has grown out of a split in one of the boulders. Another stone circle once stood 830m to the Southwest of Broadleas, in the townland of Whiteleas but sadly this has long been destroyed.
During the Bronze Age (2500BC-500BC) the small clan-based social structures of the Neolithic period evolved into larger, more organized and structured societies. The most significant monuments of this age are stone circles which, although mainly associated with the Bronze Age, began to be built during the preceding Late Stone Age. Most authorities agree that they were used as an astronomical observatory with ritual or religious functions.
Local folklore has it, that every time you count the stones, you will get a different number. The trees growing around the circle, Ash, Holly and Hawthorn were all sacred to the Celts.
Description
Broadleas Stone Circle stands on a slightly elevated mound in a pleasant field used for pasture. The circle measures over 30 metres in diameter. 27 boulders remain today, of a possible 47 or 48 original stones. In places, the stones are almost contiguous and the monument is thought to be a transition between the chambered tombs of the Neolithic and the later stone circles of the Bronze Age. A Holly tree has grown out of a split in one of the boulders. Another stone circle once stood 830m to the Southwest of Broadleas, in the townland of Whiteleas but sadly this has long been destroyed.
History
During the Bronze Age (2500BC-500BC) the small clan-based social structures of the Neolithic period evolved into larger, more organized and structured societies. The most significant monuments of this age are stone circles which, although mainly associated with the Bronze Age, began to be built during the preceding Late Stone Age. Most authorities agree that they were used as an astronomical observatory with ritual or religious functions.
Folklore
Local folklore has it, that every time you count the stones, you will get a different number. The trees growing around the circle, Ash, Holly and Hawthorn were all sacred to the Celts.
Gallery
Accessibility Rating: Easy - Moderate
There are no facilities at this site.
Accessibility
Accessibility Class: Easy - Moderate
Facilities
There are no facilities at this site.
Map
Directions
Weather
Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise: 07:52
Sunset: 18:32
Directions
Weather
Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise: 07:52
Sunset: 18:32
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