Description
Maughanasilly Stone Row is an exceptional prehistoric monument that stands as one of the best things to do with kids in County Cork. Situated on the scenic slopes of Knockbreteen hill near Kealkill, this state-protected Bronze Age national monument belongs to the historic outdoor attraction category. It provides a safe, open-air space where children can step into ancient history, see prehistoric engineering up close, and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding wild valleys.
Admission to this protected national monument is completely free for all adults and children. Because there are no booking counters, hidden surcharges, or ticket offices, a day out here is entirely free of charge. Families can simply arrive and discover the prehistoric landscape at their own pace without spending a penny.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines fresh mountain air, magnificent views, and ancient mysteries, this site is a perfect choice. The impressive layout of the prehistoric stones and the beautiful views over Lough Atooreen offer children a realistic glimpse into early human life. It provides an engaging, educational stopover that seamlessly fits into a family road trip around West Cork.
Features
- Free
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
Features
- Bronze Age Alignment: Dating back to c. 1600–1500 BC, making it contemporary with the New Kingdom of Egypt.
- Prehistoric Stones: Composed of five upright standing stones and one prostrate, flat stone.
- Ancient Sky Calendar: Built for archaeoastronomical observations, including tracking specific cycles of the moon.
- Educational Day Out: An excellent outdoor classroom where kids can learn about prehistoric rituals and astronomical tracking.
Detailed Highlights
- The Massive Eight-Ton Stone: The tallest standing stone in the row reaches a height of 1.35 metres and weighs an incredible eight tonnes. Children can look closely at this massive boulder to imagine how prehistoric people moved such immense weights without modern cranes.
- The Prehistoric Moon Tracker: The stone row is aligned in a northeast-southwest direction to track the moon. Parents can explain to kids how ancient people used the stones like a giant calendar to predict lunar movements during important community festivals.
- The Fallen Prostrate Slab: Lying flat on the ground along the row is a single prostrate stone measuring 3.5 metres in length. Children will enjoy tracing the outline of this large fallen slab and comparing it to the upright standing stones.
- The Hidden Quartz Pits: Archaeological excavations here uncovered small shallow pits under the turf containing deliberately scattered quartz pebbles. Kids can learn how these glittering white stones were collected by ancient communities to use during special ceremonies.
- The Crescent Alignment: Instead of forming a perfectly straight line, the stones are arranged in a gentle, curving arc structure. Pointing this out helps children see the precise artistic choices made by Bronze Age builders over 3,500 years ago.
Beyond the Main Attraction
- Lough Atooreen: A peaceful and scenic lake located immediately southwest of the stone row, providing a beautiful backdrop for short family walks.
- Kealkill Stone Circle: Another magnificent prehistoric site located just 2 miles (3.2 km) away, featuring a stone circle, a radical cairn, and two massive standing stones.
- Ilnacullin – Garinish Island: A world-famous island garden of rare beauty located in Glengarriff Harbour, approximately 7 miles (11.4 km) away.
- Bantry House and Garden: A stately historic mansion offering sweeping views over Bantry Bay and magnificent terraced gardens for families to explore, located nearby.
11.39 miles
