Name: Uragh Stone Circle
Rating: 5.0

Uragh Stone Circle

Uragh Stone Circle(Ciorcal Cloch Uragh), Uragh, County Kerry, Ireland

1-90 Years

Paid

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Description

Uragh Stone Circle is a breathtaking prehistoric megalithic monument that offers a truly magical outdoor adventure for families. If you are looking for the best things to do with kids in West Cork and the Beara Peninsula, this ancient ritual site provides a spectacular historical destination set within a stunning natural amphitheater of volcanic mountains. The grounds feature five large standing stones clustered in a small ring, towered over by an immense single monolith and backdropped by a thundering mountain waterfall.

Admission to the private farmland where the stones are located works on a voluntary honour system, with entry costing just €2 per person. This tiny entry fee is dropped into a secure metal honesty box situated beside the small visitor parking area at the start of the trail. It makes for an incredibly affordable, budget-friendly historical excursion for families exploring the wild landscapes of the south-west coast.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids, Uragh Stone Circle delivers an unforgettable step back into deep Irish history. It provides an ideal setting for an active, educational afternoon of short hiking, exploring Bronze Age mysteries, and enjoying scenic lakeside picnics.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Key Features

Megalithic Stone Formations: A beautifully preserved prehistoric ritual circle that gives children a real-world look at ancient construction techniques.
Educational Day Out: Families can step back over 4,000 years into the Bronze Age to discuss ancient calendars, solar tracking, and archaeological mysteries.
Mountain Waterfall Views: A dramatic natural backdrop featuring a thundering waterfall cascading down the sheer volcanic rock face behind the monument.

Top Highlights

The Massive Monolith Outlier: Standing over 10 feet (3 metres) tall, this giant single stone dominates the entire complex. Children will be awestruck by its sheer scale, and feeling the ancient stone surface covered in native lichens creates a powerful, tactile connection to the past.
The Five-Stone Axial Circle: A small, intimate prehistoric circle measuring roughly 8 feet (2.5 metres) in diameter. It is perfectly scaled for kids to explore closely, helping them visualize how ancient builders arranged the portal and side stones to align with the landscape.
The Twin Lakes (Lough Inchiquin & Cloonee): The mystical site is situated right on an elevated hillock nestled between two beautiful bodies of water. Kids will love tracking the reflections on the water and watching the changing moods of the landscape as the weather shifts across the lakes.
The Mountain Amphitheatre: The ring of dramatic volcanic peaks that completely encircles the site, creating a natural echo chamber. Older kids and teens will find the dramatic mountain geology incredibly impressive for panoramic landscape photography.
The Hillock Trail Journey: A short, atmospheric walking track leading up through a farm gate and over a small grassy ridge. The way the stones remain completely hidden from view until you reach the very top of the hill creates an exciting moment of surprise for young explorers.

Detailed Inventory

The 10-Foot Giant Monolith: The massive, upright outlier stone situated just southwest of the main circle axis.
The Two Portal Entrance Stones: A pair of matched, upright stones that form the traditional ceremonial entranceway into the circle.
The Flat Recumbent Axial Stone: The low, flat stone positioned directly opposite the portal entrance, used by ancient peoples to track solar movements.
The Lichen-Covered Side Stones: The remaining supporting flank stones that complete the historic five-stone ring formation.
The Hilltop Viewing Crest: The specific elevated knoll where the circle rests, providing 360-degree views of the valley floor.

Facilities

Toilets & Food: [Information not available on official website] regarding any public toilets, shops, or indoor cafes at the site; families must use the public facilities and eateries in nearby Kenmare town.
Buggy Parking: There is no designated buggy parking, and the uneven, grassy hill track is entirely unsuited for pushchairs or strollers.
Lockers: No storage lockers or luggage-drop facilities are available on-site.

What to see

What Visitors Love

The incredibly wild, raw, and untouched atmosphere of the ruins compared to highly commercialized tourist attractions.
The jaw-dropping scenery that perfectly combines the lakes, the ancient stones, and the thundering mountain waterfall.
The high likelihood of having the entire historic site to yourself for peaceful, uninterrupted family exploration.
The excellent value of the tiny entry fee, making it a wonderful, low-cost afternoon out.

What Visitors Don't Like

The highly remote location and the very narrow, twisty access roads which can be intimidating to drive.
The complete lack of basic amenities, such as public restrooms or visitor shelter during sudden rain showers.
The very small size of the vehicle parking area, which can hold only two or three cars at a single time.

Pro-Tips

Best Time to Visit: Arrive during the early morning or late afternoon "golden hour" to capture the most dramatic photographic shadows cast by the large monolith.
Footwear Advice: Sturdy walking shoes or wellies are absolutely essential for kids, as the farm track and surrounding grassy hillock can become slick and muddy after rain.
Bring Exact Cash: Ensure you have coins or small notes ready for the entry box, as there are no electronic payment systems or change machines available at the farm gate.
Farm Rules: The site is situated on an active, working livestock farm; visitors must securely close the access gate and keep dogs on a tight lead at all times.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Adult Standard Entry: €2 (Honesty box contribution)
Child / Toddler Entry: €2 (Honesty box contribution)

Pricing URL: https://www.irelands-hidden-gems.com/uragh-stone-circle.html

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Monday to Sunday: Accessible 24 hours daily during daylight hours (visiting at night is strongly discouraged due to the remote, unlit terrain).

Address: Uragh Stone Circle(Ciorcal Cloch Uragh), Uragh, County Kerry, Ireland

Post Code: V93 X302

Council: Kerry County Council

County: County Kerry

By Bus: Public transport does not serve this remote location; regional buses run as far as Kenmare town, where visitors must arrange a local private taxi or bicycle hire for the remaining rural journey.
By Car: From Kenmare, take the R571 route west along the northern shore of the Beara Peninsula, then turn off following the signs toward Gleninchaquin Park onto the narrow, winding rural lane that leads to the farm gate.
Car Parking: A tiny gravel parking area is situated directly at the trailhead gate. Space is strictly limited to a maximum of 2 to 3 vehicles, so visitors must park carefully without obstructing the narrow agricultural road.