Piper's Stones facts for kids
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Clocha an Phíobaire
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 Location in Ireland
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| Location | County Wicklow, Province of Leinster |
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| Coordinates | 53°04′19″N 6°36′46″W / 53.0719°N 6.6128°W |
| Type | Stone circle |
| Width | 23 m |
| History | |
| Founded | 1400–500 BC |
| Periods | late Bronze Age |
| Cultures | Pre-Celtic |
| Site notes | |
| Ownership | Public |
| Public access | Yes |
| Reference no. | 416 |
The Piper's Stones, also known as the Athgreany stone circle, is a very old stone circle. It was built during the Bronze Age, a time long ago when people used bronze to make tools. You can find it in Athgreany, which is in County Wicklow, Ireland. This special place sits on a small hill, looking over a road called the N81. It is about 2 kilometers south of a town called Hollywood.
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What Are the Piper's Stones?
The Piper's Stones are a group of large rocks arranged in a circle. They are found on the end of a low ridge, with higher ground all around them. People think that someone tried to move the stones a long time ago. This might have changed where some of the stones originally stood.
How Many Stones Are There?
Today, there are 16 large granite rocks that make up the circle. Only 5 of these stones are still in their first positions. In 1941, a survey reported that there were originally 29 stones! The stones are quite tall, ranging from about 1.3 meters to 1.92 meters high. That's taller than most people!
When Were They Built?
Scientists have not done a full study of the site yet. Because of this, we can only guess when the circle was built. Experts believe it was made in the late Bronze Age. This means it was likely built between 1400 and 500 BCE. The circle itself is quite wide, measuring about 23 meters across.
Special Features of the Stones
Outside the main circle, there is one even bigger stone. It stands to the north-east and is about 2 meters tall. Some of the stones also have old carvings on them. These carvings are very worn down, but you can still see grooves and cup-shaped marks. This type of art is called megalithic art.
The Story Behind the Name
The name "The Piper's Stones" comes from a fun local folk tale. A folk tale is an old story passed down through generations.
The Dancing Stone Story
The story says that if people were caught dancing at this spot on a Sunday, they would turn into stone! The stones in the circle are believed to be these dancers who were turned to rock. The single, larger stone outside the circle is said to be the piper, the musician who played for the dancers.
The Hawthorn Tree
There is also an old hawthorn tree growing around the circle. Hawthorn trees are often linked to fairies and other magical stories in Irish folklore.
Other Piper's Stones Circles
Did you know there are four other stone circles in Ireland with the same name? One is also in County Wicklow, two are in County Kildare, and one is in County Kerry. These other circles also have similar folk tales about dancers turning to stone. This shared story helps us group these special stone circles together.
Visiting the Piper's Stones
If you want to visit the Piper's Stones, it's easy to find. There are signs that point the way. You can park your car on a special paved area nearby. To get to the circle, you can either go over a locked gate or use a wooden stile. A stile is like a small set of steps that helps you climb over a fence or wall. From the stile, it's about a 200-meter walk up a gentle hill to reach the amazing stone circle.
