Carrigagulla facts for kids
Carrigagulla is an amazing ancient site in County Cork, Ireland. It's about 2.9 kilometers (1.8 miles) northeast of a place called Ballinagree. This special area is known as a megalithic complex. That means it has many structures made from large stones.
At Carrigagulla, you can find several interesting features. These include two axial stone circles, two stone rows, and an ogham stone. An ogham stone is a tall stone with ancient Irish writing carved into it. The ogham stone found here was moved about half a mile away from its original spot.
Exploring the Stone Circles
The main part of Carrigagulla is a large stone circle. It measures about 8.2 meters (27 feet) across. This circle has 16 stones, though one is not in its original place. These stones are different heights, from about 30 centimeters (1 foot) to 90 centimeters (3 feet) tall.
In the center of this main circle, there is a large boulder. It's a mystery why it was placed there! The stones in the circle are arranged in a special way. The "axial stone" is a long, straight-edged stone. The tallest stone is next to one of the "portal stones," which are like entrance stones.
About 250 meters (820 feet) north of the main circle, near the River Laney, is another stone circle. This one has five stones arranged in a D-shape. One of its stones, also an axial stone, has a naturally sloped top.
Other Stone Structures
Carrigagulla A is another stone circle, about 7.8 meters (25.6 feet) wide. It has 15 standing stones around a central flat stone. Experts believe there might have been 17 stones originally.
You can also find stone rows at Carrigagulla. One is called the Carrigagulla NE stone row. It used to have five stones, but four of them have been moved and are now used as gates! Another stone row, Carrigagulla SW, is made of three stones, but one of them has fallen over.
The Mysterious Ogham Stone
The Carrigagulla Ogham Stone is a very special artifact. It was found by a company called Coillte Teoranta while they were cutting peat, which is a type of soil. We don't know the exact spot where it was discovered.
Since 1940, this important stone has been kept safe at the Cork Public Museum. It helps us learn more about ancient Irish writing and the people who lived in this area long ago.
