Drombeg Stone Circle: History, Parking + Visitor Map

Cork’s Drombeg Stone Circle was built over 3,000 years ago and it perfectly aligns with the setting sun at the Winter Solstice.

Located 4.5km southwest of Rosscarbery in West Cork, Drombeg is a remarkable 9m diameter circle consisting of 17 standing stones.

It is one of 40 similar stone circles in West Cork which were used as ceremonial sites for rituals.

Visiting Drombeg Stone Circle

Drombeg Stone Circle is one of the best-known archaeological sites in Ireland and it is located a stones throw (literally) from a little parking area (see map above).

1. Location

You’ll find Drombeg Stone Circle a short spin for the gorgeous villages of Glandore and Union Hall (two of the most beautiful towns in Cork) in West Cork where its been for thousands of years.

3. Parking

Drombeg stone circle is accessed via a quiet narrow lane. There is a small car park for visitors (here on Maps).

4. The walk to the stone circle

It’s just 0.17km from the car park to the circle. There is a slight incline, but it should be very doable for most fitness levels.

5. Drive slow!

Drive slowly and with care. The narrow lanes that lead to Drombeg’s car park often hide oncoming cars or walkers behind stone walls and sharp bends.

The story behind Drombeg

Perched on a rocky terrace with sea views, Drombeg Stone Circle has stood watch over the West Cork countryside for more than 3,000 years.

This Bronze Age site, known as ‘Drombeg’ or ‘small ridge’, is one of Ireland’s best-preserved stone circles, and it’s arguably one of the most intriguing.

History

Dating back to the Bronze Age, this 3,000 year-old site consists of 17 standing stones and the majority of them are local sandstone.

Fourteen standing stones formed a clear 9.3 metre diameter circle and during excavations a further three fallen stones were uncovered.

These huge stones were erected on a gravel floor of pebbles and slate. Radiocarbon dating suggests the site was in active use around 1100-800BC.

Features

One of the main features of Drombeg stone circle are two portal stones, the tallest over 2m high. Facing the entrance is a flat axial stone laid horizontally as was possibly an altar stone.

Set at the most westerly point, this is the largest stone and has two carved cup marks, one surrounding by a circle. 

The stone circle is orientated so that the imaginary axial line drawn between the entrance portal stones and the axial stone are aligned northeast/southwest allowing the axial stone to be lit by the sun’s rays at the Winter Solstice.

Excavations

Prior to excavations by Professor Edward Fahy in 1957, locals named the site the Druid’s Altar. Underneath the gravel site archaeologists discovered fire pits, one with a broken pot of cremated human remains. 

Excavations of the site also revealed a Stone Age cooking pit near the stream. Visitors can see the remains of two round huts about 40m away and a causeway leading to a cooking area (fulacht fiadh) with a hearth, well and a trough.

The trough was used to heat around 70 gallons of water by dropping red-hot stones into it from the fire. The stone huts and cooking place led historians to believe that this was a sacred place where seasonal gatherings were held, probably around the 5th century AD.  

Places to visit nearby

One of the beauties of Drombeg is that it’s a short spin away from many of the finest attractions in Cork, like:

• Owenahincha Beach: Sandy, dune-backed beach near Rosscarbery Lagoon
• Inchydoney Beach: Long, dune-fringed beach near Clonakilty, with surf school, rock pools, lifeguards, and Blue Flag status. More nearby in Clonakilty
• Rosscarbery: Historic village with a 6th-century monastery, sandy cove, lively pubs, markets, and pastel shopfronts. Explore more things to do in Rosscarbery
• Mizen Head: Ireland’s most southwesterly point with rugged cliffs, old signal station, Marconi radio room, and sweeping coastal views