The Beltany Stone Circle, or Beltany Tops was built around 2000 BC. The ring is 44.2m (145ft) in diameter and still contains 64 stones, though originally there were eighty or more. The style is similar to the circles in the Carrowmore Cemetery. Inside the circle is a tumulus which may be the remains of a pillaged cairn. Based on the presence of that tumulus several scholars claim that this site is actually a passage tomb or a transitional structure between passage tomb and stone circle.
The site was disturbed at the beginning of the century causing many of the stones, which have an average height of 1.8m (6 ft), to lean outward at acute angles.
At the ENE is a triangular slab whose inner face is decorated with cupmarks. There is also one 1.9m (6ft 3in) high stone standing outside the circle, about 20m to the SE. There are several theories of astronomical alignments concerning the circle. The most persuasive involves the largest stone in the south-west quadrant of the circle and a cupmarked stone in the north-east quadrant. These are aligned with Tullyrap, a small hill about 8km away where the sun rises on the first day of May.
The name Beltany is probably derived from Baal Tinne, meaning Baal's Fire, and Bealtaine which was an ancient festival. The deity Baal was the ruler of nature and he was honoured with bonfires, representing the sun. The festival of Bealtaine marked the end of the spring and the beginning of the summer and is the counterpart of Samhaim, the festival that marks the beginning of the winter. Both the deity and the festival are associated with growth and fecundity. This festival was held on the first day of May.
(Sources: Stones of Ireland, Triskelle)
Getting There
Raphoe from the West: Take the N13 from Stranorlar to Letterkenny and follow the R236 for approx 15km from the signposted junction at Kilross (approx 3.5km from Stranorlar).
Raphoe from the East: At a crossroads approx 10km from Lifford on the N14 to Letterkenny follow the R236 for approx 4km as signposted for Raphoe.
( Click the map on the right for a larger image - Multimap.com)
The stone circle is well signposted from the Diamond in the centre of Raphoe. The best parking spot is on the rough ground at the Department of Agriculture buildings at N54o 51.022 W007o 35.936.
The path to the stone circle is very well maintained but can be a bit slippery under the overhanging trees. It is steep in sections so care is required on the return journey. It is, however, suitable for buggies and prams.
The final cache location is close by the stone circle but is on rough ground that would be inaccessible by wheelchair.
The Cache
The coordinates given are for an information pillar located just outside the stone circle.
To find the cache location identify the third English word on this pillar.
Convert the second letter of this word into a number based on it's position in the alphabet (A=1, B=2, etc). This number = x
Convert the third letter of this word into a number based on it's position in the alphabet (A=1, B=2, etc). This number =y
N54o 51.062 W007o 36.1**
where ** = ( x + y )
The cache is a large pill bottle camo'd in black tape. GPS reception at the hiding spot isn't great so make sure you have the clue at hand.
Please take care and rehide the container properly to avoid accidental discovery.
PLEASE ONLY TRADE UP OR EVEN.
TBs MOVE BETWEEN CACHES AND REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF THE PERSON THAT RELEASED THEM. I DO NOT COUNT THEM AS TRADE ITEMS.
IF YOU WISH TO TAKE SOMETHING FROM THIS CACHE PLEASE DON'T LEAVE A TB IN IT'S PLACE. THANK YOU.
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