Drombeg Stone Circle
Location: Drombeg, Co. Cork
Classification: Multiple Stone Circle
SMR Code: CO143-051002-
Rating:
Drombeg stone circle (also known as The Druid's Altar), located 2.4 km east of Glandore, in County Cork, is one of the most visited megalithic sites in Ireland. Drombeg is almost 9.5 m (31 ft) in diameter and forms a nearly perfect circle, consisting of 17 pillar stones. The 2.1m long recumbent or axial stone, is set horizontally in the southwest of the circle. Reputed to be a sacrificial altar, it is darker than the other stones in the circle and has two cup marks and a depiction of either a stone axe or a human foot on its upper surface. Opposite the recumbent, at the northeast, are 2 stones standing over 2m in height which mark the ceremonial entrance to the circle. Drombeg is aligned with the setting sun at the winter solstice.
Excavations in 1957 and 1958 revealed cremated bones in a deliberately broken burial urn wrapped with thick cloth and buried near the centre of the circle. Dated to between 153 BC and 127AD, the urn was found to contain the remains of a child, which has only added to Drombeg's slightly sinister reputation. Other pits were found within the circle, containing deposits of cremated human bone, fragments of shale and numerous sherds of coarse fabric pot.
Many of Ireland's ancient monuments are thought to have connections to the Druids. Often accompanied by gruesome tales of human sacrifice, which are in most cases completely at odds with the archaeological evidence. The historical era of the Druids, occurred in the late Iron Age (0-500AD), thousands of years after the creation of most of the megalithic monuments they are associated with. At Drombeg, however, there is just enough tantalising evidence, that even the highly respected archaeologist Aubrey Burl referred to the cremated bones found there as a "dedicatory offering, perhaps a sacrifice"
Description
Drombeg stone circle (also known as The Druid's Altar), located 2.4 km east of Glandore, in County Cork, is one of the most visited megalithic sites in Ireland. Drombeg is almost 9.5 m (31 ft) in diameter and forms a nearly perfect circle, consisting of 17 pillar stones. The 2.1m long recumbent or axial stone, is set horizontally in the southwest of the circle. Reputed to be a sacrificial altar, it is darker than the other stones in the circle and has two cup marks and a depiction of either a stone axe or a human foot on its upper surface. Opposite the recumbent, at the northeast, are 2 stones standing over 2m in height which mark the ceremonial entrance to the circle. Drombeg is aligned with the setting sun at the winter solstice.
History
Excavations in 1957 and 1958 revealed cremated bones in a deliberately broken burial urn wrapped with thick cloth and buried near the centre of the circle. Dated to between 153 BC and 127AD, the urn was found to contain the remains of a child, which has only added to Drombeg's slightly sinister reputation. Other pits were found within the circle, containing deposits of cremated human bone, fragments of shale and numerous sherds of coarse fabric pot.
Folklore
Many of Ireland's ancient monuments are thought to have connections to the Druids. Often accompanied by gruesome tales of human sacrifice, which are in most cases completely at odds with the archaeological evidence. The historical era of the Druids, occurred in the late Iron Age (0-500AD), thousands of years after the creation of most of the megalithic monuments they are associated with. At Drombeg, however, there is just enough tantalising evidence, that even the highly respected archaeologist Aubrey Burl referred to the cremated bones found there as a "dedicatory offering, perhaps a sacrifice"
This monument is part of a Complex
This monument is part of a Complex
Gallery
Accessibility Rating: Easy
Limited car parking.
Accessibility
Accessibility Class: Easy
Facilities
Limited car parking.
Map
Directions
Weather
Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise: 05:39
Sunset: 21:27
Directions
Weather
Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise: 05:39
Sunset: 21:27
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