Since St. Patrick’s Day is in March, I thought it only appropriate that we pay an armchair visit to Ireland!
I can’t look at pictures of Ireland and not feel drawn to to visit. Do you ever feel that way about a place?
(In all honesty, I feel that way about a lot of places, travel hound that I am, but today we’re talking about Ireland!)
Beaghmore Stone Circles
source: AncientIreland.org via Paula on Pinterest
ALLLLL over Pinterest are pictures of Ireland, and one of the most shown but not identified is this spot. So I used my little trick to find out where it was….and now I can pin these pictures correctly and others will know where it is. It’s Beaghmore Stone Circles, northwest of Cookstown, in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.
source: AncientIreland.org via Paula on Pinterest
I found some fantastic pictures at Ancient Ireland–closeups and landscapes. Yes, I’m ready to go…. and since I read this article, I know that it’s very windy there (it’s on a hilltop), so I’ll be able to bundle up appropriately!
First discovered in the 1930s while harvesting peat moss, Beaghmore was explored by archaeological excavations in the mid to late 1940s and again in 1965. The stones in their current formation are thought to date from around 1600 BC, but the site itself, based on carbon dating of hearths and flint tools found there, was used as early as 2900-2600 BC.
There are seven circles total, six of them are situated in pairs. There are many cairns (man-made piles of stones) and stone row alignments.
No one is quite sure why the stones are placed as they are. Some of the cairns have evidence of being used for burial purposes, but others do not.
The one single circle is filled with rocks (over 800 of them!) standing upright in the center of it–it’s called the Dragons Teeth Circle. Wonder why just that one has that feature?
source: AncientIreland.org via Paula on Pinterest
And there are lines of stone, resembling stone fences, throughout the property. Three of them line up up with the sunset at the summer solstice. Maybe there’s an astronomical purpose here?
source: AncientIreland.org via Paula on Pinterest
Most of the stones at Beaghmore are less than a meter high (so less than 3 feet high) and might be slightly disappointing to those expecting larger stones…. but the site itself, and the mystery contained therein, seems pretty impressive to me. That, and the fact that you can view the beautiful countryside from the hilltop siting. 
Tullylagen Country House
And if I’m lucky enough to visit Beaghmore, maybe I’ll be lucky enough to stay nearby at Tullylagen Country House Hotel!
source: TullylagenHotel.com via Paula on Pinterest
A beautiful 19th century manor house turned hotel, Tullylagen sits on 30 acres of mature gardens and landscaped grounds. Period furniture in a gracious setting welcomes guests. Two award-winning restaurants tempt tastebuds. Blushing brides choose this idyllic location for their dream wedding spot. Oh, and did I mention the Tullylagen River flows through the property? {swoon}
source: TullylagenHotel.com via Paula on Pinterest
Yep, Tullylagan would be a perfect place to stay while visiting Beaghmore. And since I’m in the area, I’ll stop by Wellbrook Beetling Mill, because, well, I don’t have a clue what beetling is but I must know.
source: NationalTrust.org.uk via Paula on Pinterest
Wellbrook Beetling Mill, the last working water-powered linen beetling mill, is a property of the UK National Trust. I would definitely enjoy a pleasant picnic next to the River Ballinderry that still powers the mill.
source: NationalTrust.org.uk via Paula on Pinterest
I might participate in some hands-on demonstrations…. and maybe even learn what beetling means.
source: NationalTrust.org.uk via Paula on Pinterest
How fun was that?!? On this quick virtual tour of three spots in or near Cookstown, Northern Ireland, we visited one of the most extensive megalithic sites in Northern Ireland , drooled over a stunningly gorgeous hotel, and learned about beetling linen. Now, I know there’s a. whole. lot. more. to see in Ireland. Perhaps we’ll make another trip there next week on Wayfaring Wednesday!
