After meeting up with Anthony Weir just outside Downpatrick I was taken to Ballynoe stone circle. I had already been told of many anomalous features that this circle posseses, but nothing really could have prepared me for what I saw.
The first thing you notice is its untidy state. It appears to have never been finished. In fact, on closer study, it probably was finished but vandalised/adopted soon after when the long barrow was place in the middle. The builders of the long barrow seem to have used many of the stones from the circle to create the barrow's kerb. The circle gives the impression that it was an almost continuous circle, but there are many gaps now.
The alignments are all slightly out. The is nearly a winter solstice alignment and some outliers are nearly north south aligned. Nearly at the north, east, south and west there are four similar cheese-wedge shaped stones.
The circle itself is set in a small depression that makes it almost hidden from every angle, making the surprise of entering the field even greater.
This is a wonderful circle, full of mystery and as Anthony says you could probably write a whole book on the 'nearly features' it displays.
There is a stone in the neighbouring field a line from which to the center of the circle seems to bisect the entrance. This warrants further investigation.
There is also a collection of possible erratics in the field. Two of these however, when linked to one of the south outliers form a dead straight row that is tangential to the circle.
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_A beautiful morning of broken cloud illuminating the stones of this great circle in some fantastic ways.
We disturbed a periguin falcon whilst walking down the sunken pathway, which took to the air in a quite massive manner. A lovely way to start the day.
I spent a lot of time either taking little close up study shots or balancing on the top of a ladder waiting for the sun to be 'just so' ... and it was several times.
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_With Julian's knowledge of Cumbrian monuments it seemed only natural to bring him to this wonder. The similarities to Sunkenkirk/Swinside stone circle are really interesting.
The outliers are a mystery, but I did notice that the southeasternmost one is positioned in such a way that a massive mountain sits beautifully on the top of the intervening ridge. When you stand in the circle it is not visible.
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_All Sites Visited On 7th May 2006 « Previous Site Next Site »
A while ago we heard that the sunken path to Ballynoe was being destroyed. I haven't had chance to call in and see what was going on since then, but Anthony Weir had done so and told me it wasn't too bad. To be honest, it could have been a lot worse. I can only assume that someone stopped the farmer from ripping up all the hedges down the one side of the track.
I had stunningly good light at the circle. Today's direct sunlight didn't last too long, but it lasted long enough to get some nice pictures here and at the next site.
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_| PAUL G from GLENGORMLEY |  |
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_From Downpatrick take the A25 south east and take the first left after passing the race course. At the second cross roads turn right until you see an old railway station on your left. Just opposite this is a sign posted track leading to Ballynoe.
A Random Selection of Nearby Monuments
 Cong (Co. Mayo) |  Carrigagulla (Co. Cork) |  Knocknaneirk - SW (Co. Cork) |
 Banagher (Co. Cavan) |  Cartronbane (Co. Longford) |  Reananarree (Co. Cork) |
