The Beara Peninsula, and surrounding area, has the highest density of megalithic monuments in Ireland, and probably the world, which can be seen in the heritage.ie maps album. This is the most South Westerly point of Ireland & UK, it is the closest point directly facing the setting sun on the winter solstice, which you can see in the trajectory of Dursey Head Map album. To the ancient people, the
architects of such megalithic structures, it would have been the land closest to the afterlife, heaven & God. By travelling any of the paths already set in place, which can be seen in the Beara Way maps album, you can visit these monuments of great spiritual significance from ancient times and finally end your journey at Dursye Head. Where you will find a point from which you can experience what ancient people thought to be closest to heaven/the afterlife. Most Stone Circles are believed to have been built between 3000 and 1500 BC for a purpose which is not entirely clear. However, if you stand at the entrance of many Stone Circles, facing the axial stone, you will be looking directly at the place of either the rising or setting sun at one of the solstices or equinoxes. It is not a coincidence that all the Stone Circles, especially ones located in County Cork, lead to, and face towards, Dursey Head and view the setting sun of the Winter Solstice. The path of the Beara Way is the perfect trail to visit nearly all of the monuments in County Cork and finish your journey at an obvious point of great significance to the ancient people of Ireland.
