Description
Beltany Hill, Raphoe, County Donegal, Ireland
For thousands of years this landscape around Raphoe has been an important centre for ritual practises, a place of worship to where Pre-Christian ancestors came to pay homage to their spiritual rulers such as the Sun & Moon. Near Raphoe on the summit of Beltany Hill stands this Bronze Age stone circle dating back 800 – 1400 BC. Beltany Circle comprises of 64 standing stones although it is thought that there may have been originally 80 stones. One of the stones which is about 2 metres in height stands to the southeast of the circle. It likely had some function related to ceremonies once held in the circle.
On each visit to these mysterious standing stones, I allow myself some time between photos to just wander about. Whilst strolling & looking closely at the ancient marks on these stones I love trying to figure out its secrets. I have personally observed that they seem to reflect the colour red in the sky during sunsets/sunrises at certain times of year.
How & why was this monument constructed long before the invention of the wheel or rope? Why where these stones each weighing tons transported all the way from Barnesmore Gap over 25 miles away to be stood on this sacred location? So many questions & to this very day scientists nor archaeologists don’t know the answers. This ancient monument has held its secrets for over 4000 years & I strongly believe it will hold them for 4000 more… My mind will forever wander over the secrets of Beltany Circle.
