Baurgorm: Five Stone Circle & Standing Stone Pair CO118-044002,1

Baurgorm Five Stone Circle and Standing Stone Pair are south-east of both Bantry town and the hill of Knocknaveagh. This is the more easterly of two five-stone circles in the townland and is most easily approached from the east but in any case it is accessible from a footpath over Knocknaveagh that is one of the Sheep's Head Way eastern routes.

The site is just below the crest of a ridge so that it commands extensive views but the bulk of the western horizon is extremely local.

The shorter stone of the pair remains upright with an axis of around 190°. The pair was probably the earlier monument but survey was from the circle. Ó'Nualláin commented that this circle though only small (2.5m dia) has the widest entrance of all.

South is in a dip of the far horizon, emphasised by its intersect with nearer ground [Pic].

North is on distant mountains but not the highest point [Pic].

The circle axis is about 46° but the axial stone is unusual in having a very sloping top and a sharp point at its south side which, to the north-east, indicates the direction of Glandart hilltop. This is at the minor end of the lunisticeLunistices are the most northerly and southerly moons of the month. The lunar equivalent of solstices - more. cycle and also one of the brackets for the summer-cross-quarters. The summer solstice / cross-quarter mid­point is on Mullaghmesha summit, then the Maughanaclea hills make good markers for the major end of the lunistice range.

South of Glandart top, the horizon is continuously clear and hilly round to the east where a low forested hilltop west of Dromore hill is equinoctial. Then a section of distant horizon has the equinox / cross-quarter mid­point in its lowest dip.

The eastern intersect of Spratt Hill and the first hump on its top provide brackets for the month centred on the winter cross-quarters while the lunistice cycle is clearly delineated on the hilltop.

This hilltop is covered with spoil heaps from digger activity during tree planting works, as may be seen in other pictures. Fortunately this one, from an earlier time, shows the profile as it was before that happened.

The south-west horizon is extremely local and so very position sensitive but the axis is roughly to the winter cross-quarters. The lunar eighths on the rock outcrop are about 22m & 26m from the circle centre.

Note the very sloping top of the axial stone.

Westwards, equinox sunset is on the highest point of the local ground (though this false summit conceals higher terrain). The hump marking WXQ+8 looks higher but this is an illusion and it is not. It is just closer, being about 55m from the circle centre.

A lot of the western horizon is too close to be very accurate but to the north-west it improves and there is more distant ridge for the major end of the lunistice range to fall on.

For form and concept this circle is worth comparing with Farnoge Court Tomb.

This circle lies between two others:

• Trawlebane is 2km to the east-north-east.
• Baurgorm (W) is also in this townland but 1.1km to the south-south-west.

There are also another two (perhaps three) in this local group of Five Stone Circles:

• Inchybegga
• Cullomane East

Technical Notes | Top

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References

• Archaeological Survey of Ireland, record details. www.archaeology.ie/archaeological-survey-ireland
• Ó'NUALLÁIN, SEÁN 1975 The Stone Circle Complex of Cork and Kerry. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 105:83-131, no.47.
• Ó'NUALLÁIN, SEÁN 1984 A Survey of Stone Circles in Cork and Kerry. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 84c:1-77, p42, no.85.
• Ó'NUALLÁIN, SEÁN 1988 Stone Rows in the South of Ireland. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 88c:179-256, p247, no.126.
• POWER, D. et al. 1992 Archaeological Inventory of County Cork, Volume 1: West Cork. Dublin: Stationary Office. p23:no.64, p39:no.173.