No one knows when these rocks were placed in their perfect circle, or why they were put there, but the mystery is part of. Thought to have been erected during the late bronze age 1400800 bc, mystery remains as to what the ancient structure was used for, but it is believed to have been associated with. Beltany stone circle, county donegal time travel ireland. The beltany stone circle inspires, today as in 1841, much speculation regarding supposed supernatural associations and ritual practices. How such mighty rings were constructed has long baffled archaeologists and antiquarians.
This made it exceptionally appealing as i was looking forward to communing with the stones and the ancient spirits on my. Beltany stone circle in ireland bronze age irish history. The views of the surrounding landscape are phenomenal and include the. This stone, the only decorated stone in the circle, aligns with the sunrise during bealtaine. Buy in the stone circle reprint by elizabeth cody kimmel isbn. Home regional north west donegal beltany stone circle notices welcome to boards. Beltany stone circle sits atop a solitary hill three kilometres south of raphoe in county donegal. As one of the first such sites to enter into such an agreement it occupies a small place in the history of archaeological conservation. History of avebury henge and stone circles english heritage. On the levelled summit of tops hill, about two miles south of the village of raphoe, is this fine stone circle, one of the few in nw ireland. I had read a bit about it and knew it was a lesservisited site. Free shipping and more for millionaires club members. The beltany stone circle is an irish neolithic monument situated upon the levelled summit of tops hill just south of the ulster plantation town of raphoe in fertile east donegal.
A guide to the stone circles of britain, ireland and brittany. The name beltany suggests that the pagan festival of beltane was celebrated on the site. This practical and knowledgeable guidebook deals comprehensively with the stone circles of britain and ireland and with the cromlechs and megalithic horseshoes of brittany. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading circle of nine. Stone circles that are more beautiful than stonehenge hd. Derryarkane stone circle is an axial stone circle and national monument located in county cork, ireland. Be gentle and respect the place as a presence in the landscape. The beltany stone circle is one of the largest and earliest stone circles in ireland with a diameter of 145feet.
The circle of stone by a j lake abebooks passion for books. The kenmare stone circle is one of the largest stone circles in south west ireland measuring 17. Malone, c, the english heritage book of avebury english heritage, london, 1989. Outlander by diana gabaldon, in the stone circle by elizabeth cody kimmel, the china garden by liz berry, in the circle of ti. I was so excited to see beltany stone circle it sits in a stunning location in the middle of nowhere. Beltany, an actual stone circle in county donegal, ireland, plays an important part in this novel. Many of the stones lean outward from the circle at an acute angles, as a result of damage done by excavations at the site in past times. Beltane, beltain, bealtaine beltaine celtic fire festival. The beltany stone circle in co donegal is as old as newgrange, and as shrouded in mystery, writes eileen battersby.
The stone circle is one of those books that, once i started reading, i didnt want to come up for air until i was finished, and where elly griffiths is concerned, thats par for the course. It is made up of 64 stones of various sizes enclosing a low earth mound. Such monuments have been constructed in many parts of the world throughout history for many different reasons. The beltany stone circle consists of 64 standing stones, though it has been reported that the circle once had over 80 stones, and an outlier stone, i. Stone circles conjure up a lost world of mysterious ceremonies, druid astronomers and pagan dances. This book is not only an elegant and practical guide, it is also the best single. Beltany stone circle is one of the largest stone circles in ireland. A brief history of avebury henge and stone circles, one of the principal. The diameter of the circle is around 45m, making it one of the largest stone circles. A carved stone known as the beltany stone head was found here and dates from anywhere between 400 bc and 400 ad although the stone circle is much older. Beltany stone circle, carlton, cycle touring, donegal, fixed wheel, raphoe castle, restoration, royal school not far from where i live there is a neolithic stone circle dating from perhaps 1400bc and is located on a hill top approximately two kilometres from the town of raphoe. They are commonly found across northern europe and great britain, and typically date from the late neolithic and early bronze age eras, with most concentrations appearing from 3000 bce. To the s e of the circle is a standing stone 6 ft 2 metres high.
A rare item of national media coverage was devoted to the stone circle in the. Location in raphoe town square, take the road that runs beside the masons hall painted blue south toward castlefinn signposted. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Circle of stones is a promising debut containing familiar settings, a damaged cast, and tight, realistic dialogue.
On the northeast side of the circle, one of the stones is decorated with cupmarks that face into the inner circle. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The best known examples include those at the henge monument at avebury, the rollright stones and elements within the ring of standing stones at. Summer festival of bealtaine in ireland irish traditions. From raphoe in county donegal travel south towards the village of beltany. The next ancient stone circle you need to visit in ireland is beltany stone circle, a bronze age site dating from c. The most famous stone circle is stonehenge in england, but expert hugh newman shows that these incredible architectural monuments can be found around the.
The larger theme surrounding the pursuit of love at all costs works as a satisfying plot device that helps tie the narrative together. Ancient origins articles related to beltany stone circle in the sections of history, archaeology, human origins, unexplained, artifacts, ancient places and myths and legends. Ruth galloway books for their mysteries, for the knowledge they impart about norfolks ancient past, and for their wonderful cast of. It is now kept as a prize artefact in the national history museum of ireland. The ancient mystery of beltany stone circle wander your way. C, just 3km south of raphoe town in county donegal, ireland. For those who are enthralled by these enigmatic rings, this book offers fascinating. The letter mentions a stone circle that harks back to the 20yearold case of a missing child. The name beltany derives from the spring festival of beltane which marked the sunrise on the first day of may. Beltany stone circle is positioned high on a hilltop in county donegal with stunning views. The stone circle has a diameter of 145ft and is made up of 64 large standing stones enclosing a low earth platform.
It is one of the countys lesserknown and lesscelebrated heritage sites. The stone circle at castlerigg is situated near keswick in cumbria, north west england. The site is also referred to as beltony stone circle. Stone circles that are more beautiful than stonehenge 2016 hd stonehenge in the west of england is undoubtedly the king of stone circles stone monuments originally set out in. Beltany stone circle, donegal, ireland no one knows when.
Beltany stone circle is an impressive megalithic site located in county donegal, in the irish province of ulster, and is one of irelands largest stone circles. It recalls the celtic springtime festival of bealtaine traditionally associated with the lighting of hill top fires to regenerate the sun. There is evidence that it may also have been the sacred site of neolithic monuments possibly early passage tombs. A stone circle is a monument of stones arranged in a circle or ellipse. This stone circle is impressive and standing around 3,000 years.
The modern antiquarian julian cope hardcover 448 pages 5 october, 1998 thorsons excellent gazetteer of 250 interesting, unusal and off the beaten track sites, together with julians own theories. Beltany stone circle museums and attractions raphoe. Beltany stone circle which stands on the summit of tops hill, a few miles from the town of raphoe, is one of the finest and most enigmatic stone circles in ireland. Park at the department of agriculture food and fuel development potato center honest. The 64 stones are situated in a landscape with a great view and the stones themselves are as diverse as we humans an assembly of diverseness in unity.
Beltany circle of nine series book 1 kindle edition by biel, valerie. Beltane the fire festival the celtic festival of beltane beltain, beltainne, beltaine, bealtaine, beltany which marks the beginning of summer in the ancient celtic calendar is a cross quarter day, half way between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. An early description of castlerigg stone circle can be found in the 1843 book the wonders. You can spend a laidback day checking out the sights and exploring the area.
A stone head was found at beltany that dates from the iron age period indicating this monument was still a place of ceremonial activity for centuries after it was first built. Several of the sites mentioned by dolores whelan will be sites on our 2019 tours of thin places in particular the hill of tara and newgrange and beltany stone circle. Can be difficult to find and short walk up hill may require good footwear as the stone circle is located in a field beside a forestry. Bronze age megalithic site is a gem in irelands ancient landscape beltany stone circle is an impressive megalithic site located in county donegal, in the irish province of ulster, and is one of irelands largest stone circles. Valerie biels love for travel inspires her books for teens and tweens. Media in category beltany stone circle the following 31 files are in this category, out of 31 total. When people think of megalithic structures, there is a clear behemoth which undeniably dominates the history books stonehenge. Beltany is a bronze age stone circle just south of raphoe town in county donegal, ireland. The best known tradition of stone circle construction occurred across the british isles and brittany in the late neolithic and early bronze age, with over surviving examples, including avebury, the ring of. This new edition includes a section on druidical circles, romantic creations of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.
Ten years later, another missing child introduced harry to archaeologist ruth galloway when he asked her to examine some bones. Whatever you decide, i do recommend this book for some historical and mechanical value, as well as getting the jist of level of difficulty it entails of having a truly. Burl presents historical considerations of the stone circles, updated with his own. Follow the signposts along n 14 approximately 3 kilometers to beltany stone circle. Circle of nine beltany is set partially in ireland where valerie was inspired by the ancient stone circles which dot the countryside. Circle of nine quotes showing 14 of 4 with the last of the sun flickering orange light across her face, she hitched up her long skirt and started the steep climb to the stone circle. A stone circle is a circular alignment of standing stones. It originally comprised of 80 upright stones of which 64 still stand and may date to c.
1505 97 506 398 1419 86 1462 284 833 22 618 1185 1008 368 220 1191 112 817 1016 666 760 1072 664 1222 201 605 248 1378 76 667 213 430 1262 611 783 694 1194 1234 584 215 1420 1390 662 252 54 413 423