Ballynoe Stone Circle, Neolithic stone circle in County Down, United Kingdom.
Description
Ballynoe Stone Circle is a ring of about fifty upright megaliths arranged in a large circular pattern in County Down. Inside this stone formation sits an elongated earth mound that contains two burial chambers within it.
History
This site was built during the transition from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age, roughly 4,500 to 2,900 years ago. This era marked a shift in how people lived together and how they honored their dead.
Culture
The entrance aligns with the setting sun during the March equinox, showing that the builders understood seasonal patterns in the sky. This connection to the sun's yearly movement made the site a place for observing time and natural cycles.
Practical
The site is open year-round with no entrance fee, making it accessible to visitors at any time. Parking is available nearby, and the walk to the stone circle is straightforward and easy.
Did you know?
Archaeologists discovered cremated human remains inside the burial chambers within the mound, showing that the site served as a burial ground. These finds offer a rare window into how people honored and laid to rest their dead.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Newry, Mourne and Down District Council).
Northern Ireland tells its story through stones, cliffs, and memories. From the Giant's Causeway to Derry's walls, each place seems filled with stories where Celtic myths, medieval heritage, and traces of the modern world intertwine. Belfast, once an industrial hub turned cultural center, showcases...
Down Cathedral
4.1 km
Downpatrick and County Down Railway
3.9 km
Inch Abbey
4.7 km
Struell Wells
4.9 km
Jordan's Castle
8.3 km
Clough Castle
6.9 km
Quoile Castle
6.8 km
Annadorn Dolmen
7.6 km
Downpatrick Courthouse
4.2 km
Bright Castle
3 km
Quoile Bridge
4.6 km
Down Arts Centre
4.3 km
St John's Point Church
8.4 km
The Meadow, Downpatrick
5.2 km
St John's Point Lighthouse
8.4 km
Down County Museum
4.2 km
St. Patrick's Memorial C Of I Church, Saul Strangford Downpatrick Co.down
6.6 km
Eclipse Cinema
5.1 km
Marlborough House 64 Killough Road Ballymote Middle Downpatrick Co Down Bt30 8bl
2.4 km
Gatehouse New County Gaol Downpatrick Co.down
4.4 km
Murland Tomb Clough Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church Castlewellan Road Clough Downpatrick Co Down
7.3 km
Clough Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church Castlewellan Road Clough Downpatrick Co Down Bt30 8rd
7.3 km
Southwell Charity School And Almshouses English St. Downpatrick Co.down
4.2 km
Downpatrick First (non-subscribing) Presbyterian Church Stream Street Downpatrick Co Down Bt30 6dd
3.9 km
27 English St. Downpatrick Co.down
4.2 km
25 English St. Downpatrick Co.down
4.2 km
Percival-maxwell Tomb Inch Parish Churchyard Inch Downpatrick Co.down
5.2 km
Court House, English St. Downpatrick Co.down
4.3 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes