Uragh Stone Circle
Set on a prominent knoll overlooking Lough Inchiquin on the beautiful Beara Peninsula in County Kerry, Uragh Stone Circle has perhaps the most evocative and beautiful setting of any of Ireland’s stone circles. The name Uragh appears to derive from the Irish An Iúrach. Iúr means ‘yew-tree’, so the placename may suggest it was a place where yew trees were once prevalent.
Uragh Stone Circle consists of five stones of broadly equal size, forming a small circle with an approximate diameter of 2.5m. Two of the stones act as portal stones, two are side stones, and one is recumbent (also known as the axial stone). The circle is dominated by the truly monumental standing stone set 0.5m to the south-west of the axial stone. This stone stands over 3m tall. It is festooned with a number of species of lichen, giving it a palpable feeling of deep time.
There are approximately 360 stone circles recorded on the island of Ireland, with two important concentrations, one around the Sperrin Mountains and mid-Ulster, with sites like Beaghmore. The other is in South Munster, particularly focused around West Cork and Kerry. The two concentrations tell a story of the availability of important resources to Bronze Age communities. The Sperrin Mountains are known today for their gold, while the South Munster concentration appears to be more linked to the rich copper resources in the area. It is interesting to note, that while these two concentrations of Bronze Age stone circles are broadly of a similar date, they are quite different in form. The mid-Ulster group tend to be made up of small, boulder-like stones, and appear in clusters with other stone alignments and cairn features. While the South Munster group tend to be a little grander in appearance, with taller stones set further apart, as well as more use of recumbent stones. These South Munster stone circles often fit a template, with two tall ‘portal’ stones forming a sort of entrance into the circle, with a recumbent stone set opposite, lying on its flat edge. The rest of the stones usually increase in height as they near the portal stones.
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Set on a prominent knoll overlooking Lough Inchiquin on the beautiful Beara Peninsula in County Kerry, Uragh Stone Circle has perhaps the most evocative and beautiful setting of any of Ireland’s stone circles.
Uragh Stone Circle consists of five stones of broadly equal size, forming a small circle with an approximate diameter of 2.5m. Two of the stones act as portal stones, two are side stones, and one is recumbent (also known as the axial stone). The circle is dominated by the truly monumental standing stone set 0.5m to the south-west of the axial stone. This stone stands over 3m tall. It is festooned with a number of species of lichen, giving it a palpable feeling of deep time.
There are approximately 360 stone circles recorded on the island of Ireland, with two important concentrations, one around the Sperrin Mountains and mid-Ulster, with sites like Beaghmore. The other is in South Munster, particularly focused around West Cork and Kerry. The two concentrations tell a story of the availability of important resources to Bronze Age communities. The Sperrin Mountains are known today for their gold, while the South Munster concentration appears to be more linked to the rich copper resources in the area. It is interesting to note, that while these two concentrations of Bronze Age stone circles are broadly of a similar date, they are quite different in form. The mid-Ulster group tend to be made up of small, boulder-like stones, and appear in clusters with other stone alignments and cairn features. While the South Munster group tend to be a little grander in appearance, with taller stones set further apart, as well as more use of recumbent stones. These South Munster stone circles often fit a template, with two tall ‘portal’ stones forming a sort of entrance into the circle, with a recumbent stone set opposite, lying on its flat edge. The rest of the stones usually increase in height as they near the portal stones.
For practical information about visiting this site Click Here

Neil at Uragh Stone Circle • Kerry
Irish Stone Circles and the Landscape of Uragh

The circle viewed from the high ground • Kerry
The use of stone circles has often been debated. The current archaeological consensus is that they were primarily used as ceremonial sites, mainly during the Bronze Age. Archaeo-astronomers, such as Frank Prendergast, suggest that some circles have a clear astronomical alignment, with events such as the sunset or sunrise at the winter or summer solstice, such as Drombeg in West Cork. And some of the stone circles, such as the one not far away at Kenmare, have burials or cremations associated. Unfortunately the interior of Uragh Stone Circle has been dug out, presumably by treasure hunters in the 19th century, so it is unknown if a burial or cremation was once located here too.
Though remote, this truly stunning landscape has a long history of activity. Uragh Stone Circle is part of a wider landscape of Bronze Age monuments, demonstrating that the landscape had a deep significance and meaning. Some of these features include enclosures, at least one boulder burial, other standing stones and two smaller stone circles (not as accessible). There are also signs of habitation and activity nearby, particularly focused on the western side of Lough Inchiquin. These features include burnt mounds (also known as fulacht fiadh) a commonly found Bronze Age monument consisting of a small trough where water was boiled by hot stones, as well as charcoal production pits and hut sites.
With such a setting, Uragh Stone Circle is one of the most evocative monuments in Ireland. It is well worth taking the time to seek out. And you can explore Uragh, and a number of other stone circles, megalithic tombs and more, with our Beara Peninsula Itinerary. Exclusively available for Tuatha Members here. If you fancy a hike, you can enjoy Gleninchaquin Park nearby. It has a number of looped walks that offer stunning views. Access is through private farmland, and there is a €7 cash fee to access. For more information please visit here.

The circle viewed from the high ground • Kerry
Upper left: Uragh Stone Circle • Lower left: aerial view of the circle • Right: the path leading to Uragh Stone Circle
Top: Uragh Stone Circle • Middle: the path leading to Uragh Stone Circle • Bottom: aerial view of the circle
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