Drombeg stone circle

Drombeg stone circle is a Bronze Age stone circle near Glandore in County Cork, Ireland, commonly known by the vernacular name “Drombeg” or “Druid’s Altar.” It dates to the Bronze Age and is a well-preserved example of small stone circles in southwest Ireland.

The site comprises the circular arrangement of standing stones accompanied by a small burial or ritual area and the remains of a burnt mound nearby. The circle measures roughly 9 metres across and is made up of about 17 upright stones; the layout produces a notable alignment with the setting sun around midwinter.

Built in the Bronze Age for ritual or ceremonial use, the circle and adjacent features were investigated by archaeologists in the mid-20th century, which revealed cremated bone and domestic pottery fragments consistent with Bronze Age ritual activity. The monument has since been conserved and interpreted for visitors.

The circle sits on farmland near the village of Glandore in County Cork, on a low coastal landscape of pasture and small lanes; a short walk from a roadside car park provides access to the site.

• Midwinter alignment: Aligned so that the circle frames the setting sun at midwinter on certain days, a feature noted in archaeological studies.
• Access: Short trail and small car park serve the site; the circle is on private farmland but is managed for public access by local authorities.

What to See #

• Main circle and associated features: The stone circle of 17 standing stones arranged in a roughly circular layout, set beside a small cairn and the remains of a burnt-mound site.