Standing stones (stone row) in County Cork, Ireland
The Coolcoulaghta Standing Stones are a pair of standing stones forming a stone row and National Monument located in County Cork, Ireland.[1][2]
Location
Coolcoulaghta Standing Stones stand in a field 3.2 km (2.0 mi) southwest of Durrus.
History
The stones probably date to the Bronze Age period. It points towards Dunbeacon stone circle 400 m (¼ mile) to the west and the stones may have been used for astronomical observation.[3][4]
They were removed in 1980 but the stones were replaced in 1983 by the Office of Public Works, after local outcry, using a plan and elevation made in 1977 by archaeologists of Ordnance Survey Ireland.[citation needed]
The purpose of standing stones is unclear; they may have served as boundary markers, ritual or ceremonial sites, burial sites or astrological alignments.[5]
Description
The stones are both about 1.8 m (6 ft) tall.[6]
A third stone once stood 63 m (70 yd) SSW of the pair; this has since been removed.[7]
References