Maughanaclea Five Stone Circle is 4km or so east of Kealkill village. There is a large Standing Stone right beside it and another one nearby. Who was there first?
North is at the right hand basal step of a block of high ground and over the end of a nearer block of high ground [Pic].
![[Pic]](MaughanacleaFSC-N.jpg){kind=link}
The circle's reverse axis indicates summer solstice sunrise and/or lunar mid-cycle while that of the standing stone is towards winter solstice full moon
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.
The eastern horizon appears fairly bland but the equinox / summer cross-quarter midpoint is at the foot of the slope and winter cross-quarters are at the top.
Winter solstice and lunar midpoint are in a dip but not visible from within the circle because of the standing stone.
The local hilltop is obscured by forestry but looks as if it would have formed a precise indicator of both due south and summer solstice full moon
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.
The circle's axis indicates winter cross-quarter sunsets but that of the standing stone is towards winter solstice and/or lunar mid-cycle.
A bland local western slope nonetheless has a good mark for the equinox / cross-quarter midpoint, then the more distant horizon provides just about everything.
The way the lunisticeLunistices are the most northerly and southerly moons of the month. The lunar equivalent of solstices - more.
zone is draped over the north-western hills provides the sets with a nice complement to a similar arrangement for the rises in the north-east.
- The other Standing Stone is just 40m WSW (242°). Probably co-temporaneous with this one and likely earlier than the circle. Differences between the two positions are negligible to the north, slight to east and west but significant to the south. Unfortunately the original precision is now obscured by trees on the local hill.
- Maughanaclea Multiple Stone Circle is 1.5km east (83°)
- Cousane Five Stone Circle is 2.3km east (78°)
- Kealkill Five Stone Circle is 3.6km west (258°)
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. p25, no.80 & p62, no.447.