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The Megalithic Portal and Megalith Map : Index >>
General Forum >> Traveling to Wales and Ireland
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Traveling to Wales and Ireland |
morphoto
Joined:
21-05-2007
Messages: 6
from Florida
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|  Posted 13-03-2013 at 17:33
We'll be over the pond in May to visit Wales and Ireland. Looking for suggestions of best sites to visit. We especially like circles and avenues, also dolmen that are photogenic. (not down or buried). Any suggestions? Thanks
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aknifethatfellfromthesky
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| Posted 13-03-2013 at 20:20
in north wales, the druids circle and associated circles above the town of penmaenwaer. there are lots of stones and dolmens on anglesey such as bryn celli du. Ireland is a big big country with many many sites. N,E,S,W. you could try the huge chambered tombs of newgrange, dowth, knowth East of dublin for starters. you'd be best off searching on the map here and/or getting a copy of aubrey burls' magnus opus, 'the stone circles of the british isles'. Dx
[ This message was edited by: aknifethatfellfromthesky on 2013-03-13 20:21 ]
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morphoto
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from Florida
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| Posted 13-03-2013 at 20:41
Yes, I'm looking specifically for stone circles and or avenues that are photogenic. We are photographers who have been studying the standing stones for many years. We've traveled to Carnac, the Orkneys, and many sites in between. What do you think are spectacular sites to visit.
Many thanks,
Jill
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morphoto
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| Posted 13-03-2013 at 20:42
Also, I have Mr. Burls's book and am using it as reference.
JL
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sem
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Messages: 1709
from Bridgend,S.Wales
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| Posted 13-03-2013 at 22:56
Welcome Morphoto
Depending on what you mean by "photogenic" South West Wales has many dolmens (burial chambers) to offer, normally with views of either rock outcrops and/or the sea.
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=a312&file=index&do=showpic&pid=126
The Brecon Beacons area has numerous circles. Most stones are small, less than 1m, but the backdrop of the mountains is impressive.
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=a312&file=index&do=showpic&pid=12369
I'd suggest using these links as a starting place and see where they take you. Not sure about Florida, but you can drive to anywhere in Wales in 3 hours.... it's the walking afterwards that's difficult.
Best wishes
Sem
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robinhaldane
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from Belfast, N. Ireland
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| Posted 14-03-2013 at 23:52
In Ireland, my personal favourites are Legananny Dolmen in Co Down, Beaghmore Circles in Co Tyrone, and pretty much anything in the Burren, Co Clare. All are very photogenic.
Lots of information on the web, but start with Anthony Weir's site:
http://www.irishmegaliths.org.uk/genius.htm
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morphoto
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| Posted 15-03-2013 at 22:24
Thanks one and all. Keep the suggestions coming!
Jill
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ainsloch
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| Posted 18-03-2013 at 03:13
Hi Jill. I live in Ireland, if you are visiting the north the best stone circle there would IMO have to be Ballynoe in Co. Down. There are also quite a few very fine dolmens in this county; Legananny has been mentioned, also Kilfeaghan, Wateresk and the Goward dolmen are well worth a visit, possessing capstones that weigh anything up to 50 tons. There are some nice standing stones too in Down, Barnmeen is a whopper and quite easily accessed (behind a hedge in a field) and Tamnaharry is beautifully situated but a bit of a climb. Personally I use GPS coordinates to locate sites, and plug them into Google Earth or Google maps first to familiarise myself with the local landmarks etc. In the north west of Ireland the Sligo area is well worth a visit, being the site of the Carrowmore and Carrowkeel passage tomb cemeteries (Carrowmore is littered with dolmens and kerb stone circles), and home to several enormous cairns - Heapstown and Meave's being the largest. The second largest dolmen in Ireland, the Labby Rock, is also found here. It has a nice walk through a forest to get to it, after parking in the grounds of a hotel there. Well worth it to see the enormous 70 ton capstone. In the north east of Ireland there are some passage tombs scattered along the Co. Antrim coast, some of these can be tricky to get to but others like Torr Head are fairly easily reached - the scenery here is great, and there are plenty of other attractions like the Giant's Causeway.
If you are near Belfast the Giant's Ring at Ballynahatty is well worth a visit, it is Ireland's largest henge monument with the remains of a passage tomb in the centre and a large standing stone situated outside the henge - very atmospheric site. In Tyrone there are quite a few sites, mainly court tombs but some stone circles as at Beaghmore which has been mentioned, and there is a large wedge tomb near there also. Knockmany passage tomb is nicely situated with a scenic walk to reach it, and is the only easily accessible site with decorated stones that far north. Heading south there is a nice dolmen in Co. Louth called Proleek, situated in a golf course at the ballymascanlon hotel - there is a wedge tomb nearby also. Along the way there are quite a few megalithic sites in the Armagh/Newry area, a few passage tombs (Slieve Gullion north being the pick of these) and court/wedge tombs, and the Ballykeel dolmen is an outstanding monument. There are several nice dolmens just south of Dublin too (Cabinteely and Kiltiernan), and some very large standing stones in the Naas area some miles south of Dublin (Punchestown and Racecourse stones, and the Furness longstone and rath). The Broadleas, Athgreany and Castleruddery stone circles are great sites close to here also. From Dublin direction the passage tomb cemeteries of the Boyne Valley and Loughcrew can be accessed, Newgrange is situated within the remains of a huge stone circle and there are plenty of kerb circles on display at both sites.
Heading further south you will encounter the enormous Brownshill dolmen in Co. Carlow, this is the largest dolmen in Ireland with a capstone estimated to weigh over 100 tons. West of here in Co. Limerick is the major site of Grange at Lough Gur, with Ireland's largest stone circle. The majority of stone circles and stone rows are to be found in Co. Cork at the very south of Ireland however, there are too many to mention here but that is the region I would look to for these types of monuments. Hope that is of some help.
Ainsloch
[ This message was edited by: ainsloch on 2013-03-18 11:55 ]
[ This message was edited by: ainsloch on 2013-03-18 12:06 ]
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morphoto
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from Florida
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| Posted 18-03-2013 at 16:23
Thank you so much. This is most helpful.
Jill
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frogcottage42
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| Posted 20-03-2013 at 00:33
I would reinforce 'ainsloch's' suggestion that the majority of stone circles are here in the SW ( Kerry and Cork) but few lend themselves to good photo opportunities.
If you take a look at some of the pics I have posted on here ( I make no claims that they are anything other than snapshots) from S Kerry and NW Cork you will see that even basic shots can be quite difficult due to terrain and vegetation etc plus access is by no means assured or achievable in many cases.
The best shots are usually those with spectacular backdrops such as Uragh (both circles) or Ardgroom Outward.
If you need any specific help finding any sites down here feel free to PM me and I will be happy to help
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