Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeStone circle
What to look for
- Stones still standing
Picked out from the Archaeological Survey description below.
Can you visit?
- No source says it is open to the public.Most monuments in Ireland stand on private farmland.
- Ask the landowner before crossing fields, close gates, leave the stones as you find them.Visiting responsibly
History and description
Known as the Bocan stone circle the site now consists of seven standing stones, 1m-2m high, and a few fallen and broken stones partially enclosing a subcircular area c. 20m in diameter. The stones are all concentrated in the NW and SE quadrants.
Full archaeological record 163 words
Known as the Bocan stone circle the site now consists of seven standing stones, 1m-2m high, and a few fallen and broken stones partially enclosing a subcircular area c. 20m in diameter. The stones are all concentrated in the NW and SE quadrants. Shaw Mason (1816, 180) described twelve upright stones which formed part of a circle of sixty feet diameter and went on to say that 'graves' containing 'earthen urns' have frequently been discovered at Bocan. In the SW quadrant there is a track, possibly the result of livestock using stones (now removed?) as scratching posts. The interior of the circle as well as sections of the perimeter are confused by field clearance stones. No trace exists of the two possible outliers noted as being to the E of the circle (Swan 1949, 113). The site is situated on the W slopes of a low hill, in a large recently reclaimed grazing field, with extensive views on all but the E side.
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated · Updated 22 September 2008. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
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Around Bocan stone circle
Other heritage nearby
- Laraghirril Court TombMegalithic tomb · 0.8 km
- Clonca Church & CrossAncient church · 1.7 km
- St Buadan's Church of IrelandAncient church · 2.1 km
- Carrowmore South CrossHigh cross · 3.2 km
- Carrowmore Early Ecclesiastical SiteMonastic site · 3.2 km
- Carrowmore North CrossHigh cross · 3.2 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 19 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 13 standing stonesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 7 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 5 megalithic tombsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 5 high crossesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 4 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 4 promontory fortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 monastic siteArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 castleArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Inishowen Head LoopWalking Trail · 8.4 km · nearest point 12 km
- Meenavogey TrailWalking Trail · 2.9 km · nearest point 12 km
- Old Carn Road Drovers TrailWalking Trail · 7.3 km · nearest point 15 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
Other attractions nearby
- True North BoatingNature and Wildlife · 3.1 km
- Adventure Sports CuldaffWalking · 3.2 km
- St Patrick's Cross CarndonaghAbbeys and Monastery · 8.2 km
- Kinnagoe BayNatural Landscape · 8.7 km


