Stone Circles in Ireland (Irish Treasures Series)

The custom of erecting circles of spaced upright stones began in Ireland and Great Britain about 2000 BC and seems to have continued for some twelve centuries. Over a thousand of these ritual or ceremonial monuments are known on the two islands, with almost a quarter of them in Ireland. The majority of the Irish circles occur in mid-Ulster and south Munster, but individual examples are also found on the est and west of the country. This is the first book to be devoted exclusively to the Irish examples. Dr O'Nuallain provides a succint and accesible account of the circles and the monuments that accompany them. He describes the layout of the circles and their contents, explores their purpose, and touches on the lives of the builders. The text is beautifully illustrated with stone circles from Meath, Wicklow, Tyrone, Limerick, Tipperary, Mayo, Cork and Kerry. Stone Circles in Ireland is based on the author's own extensive fieldwork and the results of modern excavations and research. Aimed at the layperson as well as the student, it includes a distribution map, a comprehensive glossary, a select bibliography and an index.