mega-what / ancient sacred places / Ireland, West Cork, Dunmanway

Behagullane: Stone Row CO094-085

NGR 12765/05665 (IW 27652 ITM 56640 / 51.75799, -9.04850) [Googlemap]

Trajectories 1200BCE. Tap/Click pics for big ones.

Panoramic view with luni-solar trajectories c.1200BCE from Behagullane Stone Row, Cork, Ireland.

Behagullane Stone Row is about 6km north-east of Dunmanway. Two large stones are visible but there are two more broken stumps hidden in the grass to the north-east of them. There is a Radial Stone Cairn c.16m to the south-east but I have not seen it as the area is swamped by vegetation.

South is obscured but may be on a hilltop [Pic].

North is on the left slope of a dip [Pic].

To the north-east is a very local low rise with the lunistice Lunistices are the most northerly and southerly moons of the month. The lunar equivalent of solstices - more. zone on the slope of it. 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 indicated by the row axis but exact observer position would be crucial at such a short distance.

Eastwards the profile of a nearby rocky knoll is largely obscured but the overall form is clear. summer cross-quarters are at the northern foot and winter cross-quarter at the southern one with the midpoint in time between them on the top.

The south-eastern lunistice zone is on a more distant rising ridge. Winter cross-quarters are at the intersect with local ground.

The south-western row axis seems to be more towards winter solstice but the skyline profile is uncertain. Behind the trees, a fairly local horizon is disguised by more bushes but the lunistice zone appears to be spanning a dip, or the left slope of one.

Westwards, another fairly local knoll is just visible through the trees but once again the accuracy is uncertain.

The north-western lunistice zone is on more distant ground, spanning a solstitial dip.

This site utilises more local horizons than any other I have investigated. Under such conditions, the exact placement of individual stones would be very significant.

Farrannahineeny Stone Row is c.7.5km north-west (303°)
Inchireagh Stone Circle is c.9km west (267°)
Knockawaddra Stone Row is c.11km south (182°)

Technical Notes | Top

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. p34, no.139.
Ó'NUALLÁIN, SEÁN 1988 Stone Rows in the South of Ireland. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 88c:179-256, p246, no.117.
RUGGLES, C.L.N. 1999 Astronomy in Prehistoric Britain and Ireland. Newhaven & London: Yale University Press. CKR67.

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