Ardrah: Stone Row CO106-008

Ardrah Stone Row is high on the north side of the Mealagh valley; perhaps 4km SE of Kealkill, 10km NE of Bantry. A four stone row with a strategically placed boulder making a recent fifth addition.

South is indicated by a dip to the right of a hilltop [Pic].

North is indicated by a hilltop to the right of a dip [Pic].

The north-eastern row axis is towards lunar mid-cycle, perhaps summer solstice, possibly an intended wider span. Its a pretty good fit from the cross-quarter to the major standstill but most of the subtleties are obscured by the forestry.

This fairly local horizon would have been cleared as much as required but the other side of the valley was perhaps almost virgin...

To the east, the main dip is about a week south of the equinox. Apart from that there is a general fit but a lack of specific accuracy may indicate that these hills were still tree clad when this row was built.

The south-eastern lunisticeLunistices are the most northerly and southerly moons of the month. The lunar equivalent of solstices - more. zone spans a dip that provides a marker for the winter cross-quarter / solstice mid­point. Mullagh Mesha summit is accurate for a lunar sixteenth and major standstillLunistice positions vary cyclically over an 18.6 year period but are fairly static for more than a year at either end of the range is at a break in the ridge.

The south-west is obscured by trees and buildings but the lunistice zone would be along the Muintirvara peninsula (Sheep's Head) with winter cross-quarter sunset in Bantry Bay.

Westwards, the profile is not dramatic but there is a very good fit with solar patterns.

The north-western lunistice zone runs up a hill from summer-cross quarter at the basal intersect to major standstill on the hilltop. Summer solstice sunset is at the top of the lower slope.

• Derryarkane Five Stone Circle & Standing Stone are down the vally 2km west (247°)
• Coomleagh Stone Row is up the vally 5km east (99°)
• Kealkill Five Stone Circle & Stone Pair are 2km north-west (302°)
• Maughanasilly Stone Row is 4.9km north-west (325°)

Technical Notes | Top

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References

• Archaeological Survey of Ireland, record details. www.archaeology.ie/archaeological-survey-ireland
• POWER, D. et al. 1992 Archaeological Inventory of County Cork, Volume 1: West Cork. Dublin: Stationary Office. p138, no.34.
• Ó'NUALLÁIN, SEÁN 1988 Stone Rows in the South of Ireland. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 88c:179-256, p235, No.40.
• MYLER, David 1998 An Archaeological Survey of the Mealagh Valley. Mealagh Valley Community Development Assoc. p58, no.37.
• RUGGLES, C.L.N. 1999 Astronomy in Prehistoric Britain and Ireland. Newhaven & London: Yale University Press. CKR70.