The title of this book is circle of nine and it was written by valerie biel. The rich agricultural land around raphoe has been inhabited and cultivated for thousands of years, and evidence of this can be seen through monuments such as the beltany stone circle, just outside the town. This stone circle comprises of 64 standing stones but it is thought that there may have been originally 80 stones. If you have anything youd like to add or would like to have yourself included in a researchers section of these pages, then please contact me. A stone head found within the circle was craved between 400bc 400ad indicating the monument was. One stone is decorated with cup marks and another stone stands about 2 metres. Found in the north west of ireland near the town of raphoe, the beltany stone circle is made of 64 stones spanning 45 meters 145 ft in diameter with the entire setup encircling a mound.
Brigit quinn has survived a year full of both good and bad surprises after learning the truth of her unique heritage as a descendant of a powerful celtic tribe. It recalls the celtic springtime festival of bealtaine traditionally associated with the lighting of hill top fires to regenerate the sun. Beltany stone circle is one of the largest stone circles in ireland. Shocking vandalism at ancient beltany monument donegal daily. I was so excited to see beltany stone circle it sits in a stunning location in the middle of nowhere. Maccaths book of poems and stories, the ruin of beltany ring.
A rare item of national media coverage was devoted to the stone circle in the. The 64 stones are situated in a landscape with a great view and the stones themselves are as diverse as we humans an assembly of diverseness in unity. The beltany stone circle consists of 64 standing stones, though it has been reported that the circle once had over 80 stones, and an outlier stone, i. Ulsters beltany a 5000yearold monument to a living celtic. Just three kilometres south of raphoe on the summit of beltany hill stands a neolithic stone circle 800 1400bc called beltany stone circle. As i said the beltany stone circle was a complex solar. Adding to the aura of the place, to the southwest of the stone circle are the remains of a circular earthen enclosure, some 35m 38yd in diameter. The stone circle is one of the largest in ireland with a diameter of 44 metres 165 feet and made up of more than sixty stones in. Jul 20, 2016 this remarkable, 5,000 year old megalithic site of stone circles in county donegal is reminiscent of stonehenge in britain. Stone circles were built during the bronze age 2,200 500 b. Summer festival of bealtaine in ireland irish traditions.
The beltany stone circle is an irish neolithic monument situated upon the. A megalithic mystery in morocco when people think of megalithic structures, there is a clear behemoth which undeniably dominates the history books stonehenge. Learn how important ancient ireland is for irish history. Stone circles are thought be connected with druidic ritual and the counting of the seasons. If a thin place is one where the veil between this world and the eternal world is thin, then beltany stone circle in county donegal ranks as one of the thinnest or most mystical sites in all of ireland. It is made up of 64 large stones that enclose a low earth. Looking for exceptional deals on beltany stone circle, raphoe vacation packages. Since i was a little girl ive been labeled a freak in my small town. Beltany stone circle museums and attractions raphoe. A collection of pagan poems and tales, features a photograph of the stone circle on its cover. However you approach letterkenny from derry in the east, gweedore and glenties in the west, fanad and falcarragh in the north or donegal and ballybofey in the south the tall spire of st. The top destination for megaliths and prehistory worldwide.
One of the stones which is about 2 metres in height stands to the southeast of the circle. A couple of miles south of raphoe in county donegal, a stone circle stands on a hill far from traffic. Valerie biels love for travel inspires her books for teens and tweens. This stone circle is located on a hilltop with an impressive panoramic view.
The beltany stone circle is one of the largest and earliest stone circles in ireland with a diameter of 145feet. A guide to the stone circles of britain, ireland and brittany. Beltany stone circle is an impressive megalithic site located in county donegal, in the irish province of ulster, and is one of irelands largest. This practical and knowledgeable guidebook deals comprehensively with the stone circles of britain and ireland and with the cromlechs and megalithic horseshoes of brittany. A wooded path often muddy leads from a car park to the summit. Circle of nine audiobooks listen to the full series. The enclosing ring is megalithic, several of its slabby stones.
Well presented book on the boyne valley, covering its history, the landscape and the peoples who have left their imprint since pre history. Ive only visited a meager thirty stone circles in ireland not even scratching the surface. Return to the celtic magic that began with the suspenseful, awardwinning novel circle of nine beltany. The beltany stone circle became the focus of a modern community ritual of a sort in 2005 when the raphoe community in action group organized a conference called rediscovering an ancient landscape. Bronze age megalithic site is a gem in irelands ancient landscape beltany stone circle is an impressive megalithic site located in county donegal, in the irish province of ulster, and is one of irelands largest stone circles. This made it exceptionally appealing as i was looking forward to communing with the stones and the ancient spirits on my. We dont know the exact purpose of the beltany stone circle. In your message indicate the title name and quantity needed. As we walked up the secluded path to the open field where the circle stands, my tour group was tired, the skies were gray and there was a slight drizzle. The beltany stone circle in co donegal is as old as newgrange, and as. The kenmare stone circle is one of the largest stone circles in south west ireland measuring 17. Constructed before the bronze age, the beltany stone circle is around 45 metres 150ft in diameter, and contains 64 stones, some of them 2.
I love how she incorporated all of the family history. Park at the department of agriculture food and fuel development potato center honest. On the eve of the autumn equinox, i led a group up the path to beltany stone circle in county donegal. I had read a bit about it and knew it was a lesservisited site.
At abarta heritage we try to help to tell the story of ireland with engaging audio guides and content. Follow the signposts along n 14 approximately 3 kilometers to beltany stone circle. Circle of nine beltany is set partially in ireland where valerie was inspired by the ancient stone circles which dot the countryside. The section on newgrange and the other stone age sites of the boyne valley comprises 24 pages. Such monuments have been constructed in many parts of the world throughout history for many different reasons. The best known tradition of stone circle construction occurred across the british isles and brittany in the late neolithic and early bronze age, with over surviving examples, including avebury, the ring of brodgar and stonehenge. This collection of poems and tales, spanning eight years of. It originally comprised of 80 upright stones of which 64 still stand and may date to c. This stone, the only decorated stone in the circle, aligns with the sunrise during bealtaine. This megalithic monument may date from the later bronze age, about 1400 to 800 bc the name beltany is derived from the spring festival of beltane. Be gentle and respect the place as a presence in the landscape. A spellbound book of family history reveals the magical powers.
And then there is the curious story of the beltany stone head found at the. Newgrange books 5000 year old passage tomb, ireland. The iconic stone circle has fascinated historians, archaeologists. It is the kerb, contiguous in places of a much reduced cairn prominently sit. The name beltany is derived from the word beltane which is linked to the celtic festival of fertility. Drag within the image to explore the beltany stone circle in virtual reality. Discover when the first settlers came to ancient ireland with our history time line. Abarta heritage explore irelands heritage with the experts. Beltany stone circle is located on a hilltop near the village of raphoe. It dates from around 1400800 bc and consists of 64 stones enclosing a raised platform. Most traditions focus on connection, a bridge to the otherworld, a promise from god, a sign of hope, a call to follow ones heart. Circa 2100700bc, beltany stone circle has 64 stones remaining down from its original 80 averaging six feet tall and is about 145 feet in diameter.
A stone head was found at beltany that dates from the iron age period indicating this monument was still a place of ceremonial activity for centuries after it was first built. The circle dates back to 1400 800 bc, and is larger than most found in. Beltany stone circle is an impressive megalithic site located in county donegal, in the irish province of ulster, and is one of irelands largest stone circles. A 45m diameter circle of 60 surviving stones averaging 1. Near raphoe on the summit of beltany hill stands this bronze age stone circle dating back 800 1400 bc. It is one of the countys lesserknown and lesscelebrated heritage sites. Many of the stones lean outward from the circle at an acute angles, as a result of damage done by excavations at the site in past times. Ive read a lot about them, taken friends to see them and included them on my thin places tours. Circle of nine return to the celtic magic that began with the suspenseful, awardwinning novel circle of nine beltany. Beltany book one of the awardwinning circle of nine young adult fantasy series. The stone circle is one of the largest in ireland with a diameter of 44 metres 165 feet and made up of more than sixty stones in all. Beltany is a bronze age stone circle just south of raphoe town in county donegal, ireland. The beltany stone circle in co donegal is as old as newgrange, and as shrouded in mystery, writes eileen battersby. Can be difficult to find and short walk up hill may require good footwear as the stone circle is located in a field beside a forestry.
Part stone circle, part mound, it has suffered at the hands of despoilers and must look very different from its original state. Location in raphoe town square, take the road that runs beside the masons hall painted blue south toward castlefinn signposted. The circle of nine series is set set partially in ireland where valerie was inspired by the ancient stone circles which dot the countryside. The beltany stone circle is an irish neolithic monument situated upon the levelled summit of tops hill just south of the ulster plantation town of raphoe in fertile east donegal. The 64 stones are situated in a landscape with a great view and the stones themselves are as diverse as we humans an. A stone circle is a monument of stones arranged in a circle or ellipse. Is the beltany circl e aligned with the sunrise on the 1st or 2nd o f augu st, the crom dubh day.
Ancient origins articles related to beltany stone circle in the sections of history, archaeology, human origins, unexplained, artifacts, ancient places and myths and legends. Valerie biel did a fantastic job of presenting this story. At the end of the shaded path, the landscape opens wide and in the distance, in a lone field one can see the jagged points of stones in a large stone circle. Dec 30, 2008 beltany stone circle the beltany stone cirle has 64 stones, though originally there were eighty or more, with an average height of 6 ft. Beltany stone circle, donegal, ireland may magic youtube. Is the beltany circle aligned with the sunset on the 31 of october or 5th of november. It is named after the spring festival of beltaine a fire festival celebrating the beginning of summer. It is thought that the impressive beltany stone circle has stood outside. It is made up of 64 boulders arranged in a circle about 145 feet in diameter. Beltany publishers summary a multiaward winning comingofage story of magic and pagan ritual steeped in the mysticism of celtic mythology and the ancient stone circles of ireland.
From raphoe in county donegal travel south towards the village of beltany. Dec 17, 2015 the beltany stone circle is an irish neolithic monument situated upon the levelled summit of tops hill just south of the ulster plantation town of raphoe in fertile east donegal. A bridge to the otherworld a rainbow at beltany travel. Have you visited this gem in irelands ancient landscape. Donegal posted on june 18, 20 by mindie if a thin place is one where the veil between this world and the eternal world is thin, then beltany stone circle in county donegal ranks as one of the thinnest or most mystical sites in all of ireland. Beltany, an actual stone circle in county donegal, ireland, plays an important part in this novel. The name beltany derives from the spring festival of beltane which. Your guide will be mindie burgoyne, tour operator and owner of thin places mystical tours. The beltany stone circle is estimated to have been constructed. Early maps noted this as an old graveyard, but its actual origin is a mystery. Readers favorite book award finalist 2015 kindle book award finalist gotham writers ya novel discovery contest.
This new edition includes a section on druidical circles, romantic creations of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The ancient mystery of beltany stone circle wander your way. The best known tradition of stone circle construction occurred across the british isles and brittany in the late neolithic and early bronze age, with over surviving examples, including avebury, the ring of. Beltany stone circle in ireland bronze age irish history. Oct 08, 2018 beltany stone circle one of irelands biggest. History of saint eunans cathedral, letterkenny, co.
Beltany, the subtitle of the first novel in the series is an actual stone circle in county donegal, ireland. Its thought that the stones were raised around 1400 bc to 800 bc, with the average height of the stones being about 2 meters 6 ft. Brigit quinn has survived a year full of both good and bad surprises after learning the truth of her unique heritage. Follow the path up a gentle incline about 400 meters. Beltany stone circle a muddy climb along a rough path brings you to the exposed summit of tops hill where stands the truly enchanting stone circle of beltany, a name derived from baal tinne, the fire of baal, which suggests that the pagan practice of sun worship was once carried out at this lovely spot. Beltany stone circle is certainly one of the largest structures i have come across in my time visiting these sites, measuring a massive 45 metres in diameter. This remarkable, 5,000 year old megalithic site of stone circles in county donegal is reminiscent of stonehenge in britain. This would greatly enhance our understanding of the develop ment of the beltane, samhain calendar. Read more about circle of nine beltany book 1, an awardwinning young adult book by valerie biel. Beltany stone circle sits atop a solitary hill three kilometres south of raphoe in county donegal. Beltane, beltain, bealtaine beltaine celtic fire festival.
On her 15th birthday, brigit becomes aware of her familys magical heritage. Outlander by diana gabaldon, in the stone circle by elizabeth cody kimmel, the china garden by liz berry, in the circle of ti. This stone circle is impressive and standing around 3,000 years. Beltany stone circle is located outside the town of raphoe in county donegal.
Stone circles were monuments built by the ancient irish probably for religious ceremonies. Beltany stone circle comprises of 64 standing stones although it is thought that there may have been originally 80 stones. The circle s name, beltany likely refers to this celestial event and the feast of bealtaine. Noted archaeologists and historians joined some 300 locals, accompanied by a replica of the beltany stone. Beltany stone circle, donegal, ireland visions of the past. We also empower communities to protect their heritage. Beltane the fire festival the celtic festival of beltane beltain, beltainne, beltaine, bealtaine, beltany which marks the beginning of summer in the ancient celtic calendar is a cross quarter day, half way between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. I find that most people wont go out of their way to find a stone circle. Its believed that they once had horns but weathering wore them away. Stone circles like this one have been dated to the late bronze age period. It is the beltany stone circle, named for the celtic may festival of beltane. Photograph by bernie the following project was started 8 sep 2009 and forms part of the donegal genealogy resources website. The site is also referred to as beltony stone circle.
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