Maughanaclea Multiple Stone Circle & Boulder-Burials are about 6km east of Kealkill village. It is clear that a circular platform was created on the sloping site.
Two boulder-burials are within the circle, one is central.A strong infestation of rushes was cleared by permission of the owner before survey could take place. No doubt they have regrown.
The north-east has been optimised for lunisticesLunistices are the most northerly and southerly moons of the month. The lunar equivalent of solstices - more.
rather than the sun though there is still a good solar fit.
The circle axis is slightly beyond 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 winter moonrises in this direction.
The east and south-east are fairly bland and any subtlety is disguised by trees. Winter cross-quarter sunrise is at a distinct break in the slope.
South is marked by a hilltop and indicated by the stone to the left of the axial stone.
The eastern slope is a close delimiter for the major limit of the period centred on lunar mid-cycle. The time when eclipses occur at the solstices.
For about 8 years, during the major half of the lunisticeLunistices are the most northerly and southerly moons of the month. The lunar equivalent of solstices - more. range, southern lunisticesLunistices are the most northerly and southerly moons of the month. The lunar equivalent of solstices - more. are below the horizon and cannot be seen from here.
The south-western horizon lies somewhere between the visible profile and the tree tops but winter cross-quarter sunset is at a clear break in the slope.
The circle axis indicates minor 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 summer moonsets.
The western slope is largely obscured but the intersect with more distant ground is similar / complementary to the one in the east.
The north-western distant hills provide good precision in an almost mirror image of the north-east.
North is in a dip within a dip and indicated by the stone to the left of the left portal [Pic].
![[Pic]](MaughanacleaMSC-N.jpg){kind=link}
- Cousane Five Stone Circle is c.800m east (70°)
- Maughanaclea Five Stone Circle is 1.5km west (263°)
- Breeny More Multiple Stone Circle is 5.5km west (257°)
References
- Archaeological Survey of Ireland, record details. www.archaeology.ie/archaeological-survey-ireland
- Ó'NUALLÁIN, SEÁN 1978 Boulder-Burials. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 78c:75-114, p89, no.14.
- Ó'NUALLÁIN, SEÁN 1984 A Survey of Stone Circles in Cork and Kerry. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 84c:1-77, p19, no.23.
- POWER, D. et al. 1992 Archaeological Inventory of County Cork, Volume 1: West Cork. Dublin: Stationary Office. p22, no.59 & p33, no.128.
- RUGGLES, C.L.N. 1999 Astronomy in Prehistoric Britain and Ireland. Newhaven & London: Yale University Press. No.ASC32.