A Living Ecologcial Treasure...

Resting high upon the hills of West Wicklow lies buried one of the most remarkable Neolithic sites in all of Europe. The most important Site outside the Boyne Valley, this area set in Kilranelagh boasts numerous sites of major international ancient archaeological significance and importance. We must work together to preserve these sites and resist any outside developments which could destroy or change this amazing natural landscape.

Boleycarrigeen Stone Circle 

Amongst the score of monuments and structures in the area lies Boleycarrigeen Stone Circle, well known for its association to astrology and solar alignment. During the Winter Solstice  (illustrated above) the sun rises over the Carrickgeen side of Keadean and shines directly though the epicenter of the stone circle and projects all the way to a stone Cursus at Brewel Hill, near Dunlavin some 20km North of this site (illustrated below).  During the Summer Solstice (illustrated below) as the sun rises directly over Keadean the Sun Shines through the Two Larges Passage Stones on the East of the Circle, highlighting the incredible importance of this stone circle itself. One can only admire, appreciate and applaud the sophistication of our early Pre-Christian settlers who planned and designed and built over hundreds of years extremely sophisticated Solar Alignment site.

The remains of this Brewel Hill cursus have been lost to agricultural activity over the last two hundred years but geological evidence remains beneath the ground. Cursus monuments are Neolithic structures which represent some of the oldest prehistoric monumental structures on the Islands of Britain and Ireland.  Relics found within cursus structures show that they were built between 3400 and 3,000 BC. Superficially resembling ditches or trenches, they range, in length from 50 yards (46 m) to almost 6 miles (9.7 km) and the distance between the parallel earth. Thought to be used for ceremonial occasions . large gatherings or sporting championships, perhaps they were the arenas of their day!

Bruselstown Hill Fort

Located on the top of a high hill in West Wicklow, this Class I Hill fort as classed by Barry Rafferty in his book Irish Hill Forts. It is one of the largest in the Country. Known as Brusselstown Ring Fort, its single stone rampart is enormous enclosing an oval shape site with axis measuring 320 meters x 200 meters. This site is enclosed by a collapsed rampart which is 12 meters x 5 meters wide and constructed with rough limestone boulders. Excavation done on the site is dated it to the late Iron Age and it is believed and to have been for defensive purposes. The interior rises towards several high points marked by limestone outcrops. A number of hut sites have been identified within the fort. This Hill Fort offers panoramic and commanding views of the surrounding countryside.

NW - SE x 200m NE-SW and is enclosed by a collapsed rampart which is 12-5m wide and composed of limestone boulders. Excavation done on the site,
has dated it to the late Iron Age and it is believed to have been for defensive purposes. The interior rises towards up several high points marked by limestone outcrops. A number of hut sites have been identified within the Brusselstown Ring. In the Neolithic period, the climate was drier and warmer and Wicklow’s glens were densely wooded, people lived much higher in the uplands and farmers were able to cultivate arable crops above 1,000ft. This hill offers excellent views east to the Glen of Imaal with Keadeen and Lugnaquilla being particularly prominent.

Kilranelagh Graveyard

Kilranelagh Graveyard, situated on a hill looking towards the Blackstairs Mountains is rumored to be the second oldest graveyard in Ireland. There is
evidence of pre-christian burial at this site and the ruined prehistoric tomb for local custom. The two remaining orthotstrats and a sill stone from the gate are known as the ‘Gates of Heaven’ .These two stones in Kilranelagh Cemetery are variously identified as orthostats of a prehistoric tomb and surviving
gateposts of an earlier graveyard. According to an old custom, if a coffin is carried between the stones on the way to burial, the deceased will go straight
to heaven. It also believed that the remains of a church built here in the 11th Century are enclosed within the present graveyard. It would have been similar to those now in ruins in Glendalough.

Kilranelagh Graveyard  is also the resting place of Sam McAllister who is lauded for saving the life of Dwyer in the Derrynamuck ambush in 1798. Sadly, McAllister lost his own life in this battle by deliberately running towards the crown forces who opened fire killing him. This selfless act allowed Michael Dwyer to escape and continue with the rebellion. A statue commemorating the rebellion and depicting Sam McAllister was unveiled in nearby Baltinglass in 1904.

Crossina Rath 

Crossona Rath was reputedly the home of the first Century King of Leinster, Eochaid Doimlén of Ráth Imáil. It is a spacious enclosure which is well sheltered on the North by Spinan’s Hill and on the East by Keadean Mountain - a perfect location for human settlement. There is an Ogham Stone in the centre of the Rath and there are many historical, legendary references to the site. It is also documented in Ancient Annals called The Bórma that it was an area of important activity.

Ogham Stones

Ogham stones are stones on which short marks were made in groups of between one and five notches, strokes or diagonal lines, usually on the edge of the stone Usually dating from around 360-400 AD. They are found mainly in burial grounds, and are sometimes accompanied by crosses indicating Christian association, but examples can also be found outside of these areas, and inscriptions were also sometimes carved on much earlier (probably Bronze Age or later Neolithic in date) galláin or standing stones.

Baltinglass Hill Fort

Located on the top of a high hill in the West of Baltinglass Hill -a truly remarkable place to visit. The hillfort has two defensive ramparts and is known as Rathcoran, dating from around 1000 BC, the name  has been said to be taken from the Irish ‘Ráth Cuaráin’ ‘Cuarán’s ringfort’ but it is maybe more plausible that it derives from ‘Ráth Charnáin’ ‘ring fort of the cairn’. Unfortunately many more of the stones may have also been removed to build the three stone walls that converge at the cairn separating the Parishes of Baltinglass and Rathbran.

The structure on top of the hill is  essentially an open multi-chambered cairn, with the remnants of at least three tombs at its centre. The whole site is then again surrounded by the remnants of a Bronze Age hill fort whose builders may have used some of the stones from the cairn. It is believed that the cairn would have dated from the same time as Newgrange, between 3500 -3000BC.

The cairn is surrounded by a kerb of large stones, and an inner kerb was revealed during excavation, three of these kerb stones bear images of concentric circles. The main tomb is situated at the north side of the cairn, it contains a 3 metre passage, complete with roof slabs, leading to a chamber with three very narrow compartments and a basin shaped stone.

Other Ancient Archaeology in the Area

On Carrigeen Hill the remains of a double Ringfort are clearly visible from the air with a connecting embankment

We must work together to preserve these sites and resist any outside developments which could destroy
or change this amazing natural landscape.

Wicklow Ancient East Site GPS Coordinates

• Keadeen Mountain              52°57’2.38”N           6°34’53.40”W
• Baltinglass Hill                Latitude 52°56’49.63”N         Longitude 6°41’0.23”W
• Boleycarrigeen Stone Circle           Latitude 52°56’46.14”N         Longitude 6°36’35.19”W
• Carrigeen Ring Forts              Latitude 52°56’17.56”N      Longitude 6°35’56.29”W
• Crossona Rath, Ogham Stone                Latitude 52°56’39.41”N         Longitude   6°36’49.89”W
• Sam McAllister Grave                              Latitude 52°56’42.99”N         Longitude 6°37’53.26”W
• Kilranelagh Graveyard                             Latitude   52°56’43.18”N       Longitude 6°37’55.18”W
• Brusselstown Hill Fort                             Latitude 52°57’44.62”N         Longitude 6°36’55.41”W
• Gates of Heaven                                    Latitude 52°56’43.76”N         Longitude 6°37’55.20”W
• Carrig Mountain                 Latitude 52°56’18.12”N      Longitude 6°35’23.98”W
• Brewel Hill Cursus, Dunlavin, Co Kildare     Latitude 53° 3’19.42”N             Longitude   6°44’57.80”W
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