1869,] of and around Lough Gur. 393 



Another small stone and earth circle occurs on the east side of 

 Knockadoon Hill, at the distance of ahout 60 perches to the N.E. of 

 the one just referred to. This, however, is in an imperfect condition. 



Below the circle from whence the human remains were ob- 

 tained, and to the west of this, about 35 perches, on the margin of 

 the lake, there are several irregular-shaped small patches of ground 

 enclosed by blocks of rock. One of these, which has an oblong 

 form, is about 30 feet long by 18 broad. These enclosures occur 

 in a small dell. They are the results of human labour, and have 

 probably surrounded the huts of the ancient inhabitants of this 

 shore of Lough Grur. 



At the distance of about half-a-mile N.E. from Knockadoon 

 Hill, on the farm of Ballycullen, a very large stone and earth circle 

 is seen. It is about 155 feet in diameter ; and this circle, both on 

 its outer and its inner side, is composed of large upright blocks 

 having earth in the interspace, the width of the circle being about 

 14 feet. In size this circle slightly exceeds the very perfect one 

 at Grange Cottage. It is not, however, in so good a state of pre- 

 servation, and has an earth fence interse<5ting it. It encloses within 

 it another circle of the same character, which is about 49 feet in 

 diameter, and which occupies a central position in the area em- 

 braced by the larger circle. 



A few yards beyond the southern margin of the large circle 

 another small one occurs. Its diameter is 35 feet ; it is com- 

 posed of flagstones, which touch each other. The area enclosed 

 by this circle is raised to the height of about 3 feet above the 

 surface of the adjoining ground. In this circumstance this small 

 circle is analogous to the large one at Grange Cottage. The 

 elevation of its interior has probably resulted from the falling down 

 of a tumulus enclosed by the ring of flagstones. In the case of the 

 raising of the level in the large circle several tumuli may have com- 

 bined to produce this. In some instances these tumuli have pro- 

 bably fallen down from natural causes, but in many cases they have 

 been destroyed by the hand of man under the impression that beneath 

 them were buried hidden treasures. 



That these several stones, and stone and earth circles near 

 Lough Gur enclosed the places of sepulture of an early race is 

 rendered probable, not only by the occurrence of human bones in 

 them, but also by the circumstance that similar circles, which are 

 found in other countries, afford evidence supporting the same 

 inference. Local traditions have assigned them to a very different 

 origin. By some they are regarded as Druid Temples ; but this 

 mode of disposing of their origin is of recent introduction into 

 Ireland, and in general the peasantry look upon them as ancient 

 fortifications. None of them bear a name indicative of a burial- 

 place, and as there are no ideas prevalent that such is their nature, 



