We stepped off the plane in Shannon under a light rain which suddenly stopped (of course!), hopped into the car with Ger, our Guide Supreme, and took off for a wondrous exploration. And I do mean wondrous.

The highlight was a visit to The Grange Stone Circle at Lough Gur (Lios na Grainsi). the largest stone circle (or second largest, depending on who you ask) in Ireland. Built around 2200 BC, this Bronze Age edifice was erected as a ritual site, and also served as an astronomical calendar.

There is evidence of 6,000 years of continuous human habitation. This doesn’t really surprise me; we humans tend to be quite enamored of the mystical.

You’ll notice some spectacular inclusions, including a tree that has grown through two standing stones (not shown in this first post). What you can’t see is that the 113 stones are set into the earth at a depth of up to four feet. The largest stone in the circle is 13 feet high and weighs 2,200 pounds.

How? Did they put progressively larger rocks under the stone and roll them? How many people would this take? How many years? How many burst spleens?

So many questions I can’t answer, and yet I do know this: the men and women who built these stone circles were passionate about their task, and I’m in awe.

Shown Above: Last year’s nests, which fill treetops everywhere but are only visible during winter; Entrance to the Grange Stone Circle; Long shot of the circle; Beautiful crevice; Moss growing only on the side; Sloped stone with moss loops; Moss with flowers in the crevice.

Inspired by a month-long artist residency graciously provided by Olive Stack Gallery, Listowel, Ireland

Stay tuned!