The Grange Stone Circle

The Grange Stone Circle

The Grange Stone Circle is located in County Limerick, Ireland, about 300 meters west of Lough Gur. It is an ancient and mysterious historical site, often referred to as Ireland’s “Stonehenge.”

The Grange Stone Circle carries an air of mystery and holds many stories unfamiliar to modern people. It consists of a continuous ring of standing stones up to 2.8 meters high and encircling an area 45 meters in diameter, surrounded by a bank that is 9 meters wide and 1.2 meters high. The entrance on the eastern side features a remarkably flat pathway flanked by standing stones. Twelve large stone slabs are placed within the gaps of the circle, each standing upright opposite another stone acting as an “axis.” These stones are positioned closely together rather than standing freely, giving the circle the appearance of a circular monument rather than a traditional stone circle. The embankments and the carefully arranged large slabs suggest that this site held significant importance.

It is the largest stone circle discovered in Ireland to date, with a diameter of 150 feet, consisting of 113 standing stones. The largest stone among them stands 13 feet tall and weighs 40 tons. Remarkably, during the summer solstice, the first rays of sunlight shine directly onto the center of the circle. The layout of a pair of stones at the entrance is also striking, forming a perfect “V” shape.

During archaeological excavations, two hearths, some unburnt human bones, animal bones (primarily cattle), bronze materials, and numerous fragments of Neolithic pottery were unearthed.

Grange Stone Circle

Must-visit reason: Ireland’s largest stone circle

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Ireland[Ireland]

Province/State where the attraction is located: County Limerick [County Limerick]