Drombeg Stone Circle

Located less than three km east of Glandore, Drombeg is one of the finest examples of a stone circle in Ireland. Combined with the nearby fulacht fiadh and hut site, Drombeg has been in use since 1124-794 BC. Drombeg has a north-east to south-west alignment, allowing for the setting sun marking the winter and summer solstices. The stone circle originally had seventeen upright stones, with the axial stone, the largest stone, having two shallow cup-marks, one with a carved oval motif.

Drombeg Stone Circle was excavated in 1957 where five pits were found within the circle, beneath the floor. The deposit of cremated human remains were found amongst fragments of shale and shreds of a fabric pot.

The hut site is south-east of the stone circle and is described as multi-period. During the excavation it was determined that the first hut was C-shaped, then built over by a stone hut, which in turn made way for a figure-of-eight shaped stone hut using the doorway of the previous hut. A causeway was then built to the fulacht fiadh. The fulacht fiadh is horseshoe shaped with a U shaped hearth. Remnants from the fulacht fiadh date to 109 to 349 AD and a second radiocarbon analysis of the cooking pit dates to 368 to 608 AD. Experts suggest the site was in use intermittently for a period of time.

Visit Historic Environment Viewer for more information on Drombeg Stone Circle

Protect our Past - Click here to read about the importance of protecting our country’s unique heritage sites

This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014