Knocknakilla facts for kids
Knocknakilla is an amazing place in County Cork, Ireland. It has a group of very old stone structures, called a megalithic complex. These stones are found between the towns of Macroom and Millstreet. They sit on a boggy area on the side of Musherabeg mountain. Experts believe these stones are about 3,500 years old!
What is Knocknakilla?
Knocknakilla means 'The Hill of the Church' in Irish. This area of mid-Cork is full of ancient finds. Nearby, you can find other old structures. These include two cashels (old stone forts) and a ringfort (a round fort). There are also two fulacht fiadh (ancient cooking sites). You might even find a souterrain (an underground passage) and a round enclosure.
Exploring the Ancient Stones
The Knocknakilla site is on a flat piece of bogland. It looks out over a deep valley. The main parts of the site are:
- A stone circle with a large stone lying down.
- A stone mound called a radial cairn.
- Two tall, pointy portal stones. One of these has fallen over.
The stones are lined up from north-northeast to south-southwest.
The Stone Circle
The stone circle once had five stones. Each stone was about 1.3 to 1.5 meters (4 to 5 feet) tall. Sadly, two of these stones fell down in the last 50 years. Today, only the two northern portal stones and one stone on the west side are still standing.
The Stone Row and Standing Stone
Close by, there is a row of two very tall stones. They are both over 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) high. It seems they were once lined up with the stone circle. The stone closest to the circle has fallen. The other stone leans quite a bit.
Just three meters away is a round stone mound. This is called a radial cairn. It is 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) across and has ten stones. This mound was first found in 1970 by a company called Coillte Teoranta. The main standing stone at Knocknakilla is 3.7 meters (12 feet) tall. It leans heavily towards the north.
Why Were They Built?
Knocknakilla is famous for its large, leaning portal stone. The way the stones are placed suggests they were built for a special reason. They might have been used as calendars by early farmers. They could have helped them know when to harvest crops. Or, they might have been used for special ceremonies about farming and good luck.
