Piper's Stones
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| Location | County Wicklow, Province of Leinster |
|---|---|
| Type | Stone circle |
| Width | 23m |
| History | |
| Founded | 1400-500 BCE |
| Periods | late Bronze age |
| Site notes | |
| Ownership | Public |
| Public access | Yes |
| Reference no. | 416[1] |
The Piper's Stones or the Athgreany stone circle is a bronze age stone circle at Athgreany, County Wicklow. It sits on a low hillock overlooking the N81, 2 km south of Hollywood.[2]
Contents
Description
The stone circle sits on the end of a low ridge, enclosed at a distance by high ground on all sides. It is thought that someone attempted to remove the circle unsuccessfully, disturbing the stones placement in the process. Now the site is composed of 16 granite boulders, with 5 remaining in their original placements.[2] In the Ordnance Survey of 1941 reported 29 stones originally.[3] There has been no archaeological investigation of the site, so the construction date is only estimated to be from the late Bronze age,[2] approximately 1400-500 BCE. The circle is roughly 23m in diameter. An outlying larger stone, 2m in height, stands outside the circle to the north east. Some of the stones show signs of degraded carved megalithic art, consisting of grooves and cup-marks.[3]
History
The stone's name, The Piper's Stones, is believed to have derived from a local folk tale that said those caught dancing there on a Sunday would turn to stone, with the stones representing such revellers.[3] An outlying stone on the north east represents the piper.[2] There is an old hawthorn tree growing around the stone's circumference, this tree is associated with fairies and other folklore.[4]
There are 4 other circles that have been given the same name, another in County Wicklow, 2 in County Kildare, and one more in County Kerry. These others also have a similar folk tale associated with them, and has been seen as a way of classifying such circles.[3]
Access
The site is sign-posted, and there is parking on a hard-shoulder. The circle is accessed over a locked gate or over a wooden style. From the style the circle is 200m up a low hill.[2]
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Athgreany stone circle. |
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