Knocknakilla, Prehistoric stone complex in County Cork, Ireland
Knocknakilla is a megalithic stone complex on the slopes of Musherabeg Mountain in County Cork. It includes a stone circle formed by five large stones, a radial cairn structure, and two distinctive portal stones.
The site dates to the Middle Bronze Age around 1600-1800 BCE, when local communities built it for ceremonial and astronomical purposes. This period saw communities construct sophisticated stone arrangements for significant gatherings and seasonal events.
The name comes from Irish Cnoc na Cille, meaning Hill of the Church, reflecting how religious sites held importance in this region's past.
The site sits between the villages of Macroom and Millstreet with free access and a level patch of bogland overlooking a deep valley. The straightforward location makes it an easy destination for visitors exploring this rural area on foot.
The stones in the circle vary noticeably in height, with one standing stone rising significantly taller than the others. This intentional variation suggests the builders made deliberate choices about which stones to place where.
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