Page 51 - GAHS Journal Volume 9

GREYSTONES ARCHAEOLOGICAL & HISTORICAL SOCIETY JOURNAL VOLUME 9

Ceremonial circles

Ceremonial circle sites were built in the Late Neolithic and
Early Bronze Age period (circa 2600-1800 BC). Only a small
number of sites are known of which three (Athgreany,
Castleruddery Lower and Booleycarrigeen - none of which have
been excavated) are in Wicklow. The sites generally consist of a
continuous ring of large stones with an earthen bank outside the
ring and resting against it. A well-defined entrance, usually facing
east or west, sometimes also lined with large stones is a
prominent feature. Occasionally, as at Athgreany, there is a
single standing stone associated with the circle but situated
outside the monument itself.

The ceremonial circles (or embanked stone circles as they
are sometimes called), are closely related to free standing stone
circles, such as those that occur in Cork and Kerry, as well as
the very large enclosures defined by earthen banks (a major
group of these occur in the Boyne Valley, Co Meath). The sites
were used for community ceremonies whose timing may have
been guided by specific solar events (such as the rising or setting
sun on particular days of the year) - hence the orientation of the
entrances. Other activity may have been associated with burial -
fragmentary human bone is sometimes found on these sites
suggesting that the dead were exposed on the ground within the
circle for some time before they were provided with a final formal
burial.

Athgreany ('The Piper's Stones') ceremonial circle

The site is located off the Blessington/Baltinglass Road, 13
km from Blessington (signposted). Through the gate from the
road and up a rough path to top of small ridge (circa 300m).

Disturbed remains of a circle of granite blocks (internal

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