Athgreany Stone Circle

Athgreany Stone Circle

Location: Athgreany, Co. Wicklow

Classification: Stone Circle

SMR Code: WI015-010----

Rating:

This Stone Circle is situated at the high north end of a small steep-sided ridge and has fourteen stones which vary in height from 1.3m to 1.92m. The pair at the northeast are not the highest stones in the circle although their position, facing the outlier ('The Piper') 40m further to the NE, suggests that they may mark the entrance. The circle is about 23 metres in diameter. A large stone stands to the east, while there are two further outlying stones to the north-east. Grooves and cup-marks have been carved on some of the stones.

Description

This Stone Circle is situated at the high north end of a small steep-sided ridge and has fourteen stones which vary in height from 1.3m to 1.92m. The pair at the northeast are not the highest stones in the circle although their position, facing the outlier ('The Piper') 40m further to the NE, suggests that they may mark the entrance. The circle is about 23 metres in diameter. A large stone stands to the east, while there are two further outlying stones to the north-east. Grooves and cup-marks have been carved on some of the stones.

History

Stone Circles like this one were built in the later Bronze-Age (1400-800 BC). We do not know what they were used for, but most likely they were used for rituals and ceremonies associated with sun worship. Townland names can sometimes provide support for the associations between places and traditions. The translation of the Irish name Áth Gréine (Athgreany) is 'Ford' or 'Field of the Sun', which may correspond to the monuments alignment with the Winter Solstice sunset.

Folklore

The name 'Pipers Stones' relates to the tale of a piper (the outlier stone) and a group of maidens (the circle) that were turned to stone for playing music and dancing on the Sabbath.

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Accessibility Rating: Easy - Moderate

Follow the N81 from Dublin past Hollywood and look out for a brown sign on the left-hand side of the road saying "Piper's Stone Circles". It is possible to park right next to this sign. Take the path and turn right, up the small hill at the end of the hedgerow.

Accessibility

Accessibility Class: Easy - Moderate

Follow the N81 from Dublin past Hollywood and look out for a brown sign on the left-hand side of the road saying "Piper's Stone Circles". It is possible to park right next to this sign. Take the path and turn right, up the small hill at the end of the hedgerow.

Facilities

There are no facilities at this monument

Map

Directions

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Weather

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Sunrise/Sunset

Sunrise: 05:18

Sunset: 21:46

Directions

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Weather

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Sunrise/Sunset

Sunrise: 05:18

Sunset: 21:46

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