Stone and Spirit: A Journey Through Sacred Ireland

In September 2023, my wife Cindy and I traveled to Ireland—not just for the scenery, but for something deeper. We were on a personal pilgrimage, drawn by a shared fascination with the ancient megalithic cultures that left behind powerful monuments across the land. What we experienced was more than history. It was a return to something sacred and forgotten.

A Calling from the Past

For years, we’d been captivated by the sacred architecture of ancient times—stone circles, dolmens, cromlechs, and other mysterious structures scattered across the globe. According to indigenous lore, these sites weren’t merely ceremonial. They were built by tall, radiant beings—part human, part divine—who lived alongside us 12,000 years ago.

Engineers of Earth’s spiritual architecture, they placed their monuments at key energetic hotspots—acupuncture points on the planet’s energy grid—where the veil between matter and spirit grows thin.

Their legacy wasn’t meant for one culture or creed. These heirlooms were built for the commonwealth of humankind. Offerings to the future—to the unborn. An inheritance of meaning, left behind for a time when the world might forget.

They are instructions. Anchors. Portals.

If we take the time to listen, they whisper to our true nature—reminding us of who we really are.

Castletownshend and the Five Fingers

We began our journey in Castletownshend, West Cork, staying in a 17th-century castle perched above Castlehaven Harbour. The castle has belonged to the Townshend family for over eleven generations. Just beyond the village, we explored Knockdrum Fort, a circular stone enclosure offering sweeping views of the bay.

From that vantage point, we saw the Gurranes standing stones—known as “The Five Fingers.” Only three remain upright, but they still tower over 14 feet high. These stones offer a tangible link to the mythic past and are said to be connected to the legendary Finn McCool, a giant and warrior-leader whose band of heroes once battled otherworldly foes. The stones have stood in silence since the Bronze Age, watching the land.

The Five Fingers are oriented to the southeast and appear to align with the first light of the winter solstice—when the sun begins its slow return. Metaphorically and spiritually, it is the rebirth of light. This site, like many others aligned to the solstice, is associated with fertility, birthing, and creativity.

Ancestors Greetings

We drove through early morning rain to Drombeg Stone Circle, known locally as the Druid’s Altar. Though often associated with druids and mythic tales, archaeological evidence points to a more grounded origin—perhaps as a site for rituals tied to the Earth’s seasonal cycles.

As we stepped into the downpour, Cindy laughed, “Welcome to Ireland!” We were soaked but smiling, the only visitors in sight. As we neared the stones, I felt something shift. Cindy paused and whispered, “We’ve just been greeted by the spirit of the place.” Then she closed her eyes and spoke a prayer in light language. “We’ve been granted permission,” she said softly.

I followed her into the circle in silence, placing my hands on each stone as if greeting an old friend. Each one pulsed with a presence—distinct, alive—keepers of memory, whispering in a language just beyond hearing.

The sensation deepened. It felt like stepping into a gathering of ancestors, sharing stories not with words, but through feeling. I couldn’t say what was exchanged—only that something ancient stirred.

When I looked up, Cindy was twirling and laughing, soaked and joyful, dancing with childlike ease. The air buzzed with something unspoken. When I looked again, she stood with her arms wrapped around one of the stones, tears in her eyes and a radiant smile across her face. “This is one of the best days of my life,” she said, still holding the stone.

Something had been awakened in both of us—a memory buried in the timeless folds of the past.

Later we learned the site aligns with seasonal sunrises. According to Oxford archaeologist Terence Meade, during key times of the year, the shadow of a “male” stone falls upon a “female” stone—symbolizing the union of Heaven and Earth..

A Thin Place at Uragh

Next, we visited Uragh Stone Circle in County Kerry. Nestled by a lake on the Beara Peninsula, surrounded by mountains and waterfalls, the site felt like a dream. This was one of Ireland’s “thin places,” where the veil between worlds is said to fade.

Legend says a woman in white sometimes appears to those who meditate here. We didn’t see her—but we felt her.

The Portal of Sorrows: Poulnabrone

In the Burren National Park, we found Poulnabrone Dolmen, a 5,000-year-old portal tomb resting in a surreal limestone landscape. Here, arctic, alpine, and Mediterranean plants grow side by side—nowhere else on Earth holds this blend.

The dolmen is a grave site, but more than that, it may be an energy chamber. Many megaliths are made of sandstone, which can generate an electric charge under stress—a piezoelectric effect. Perhaps these sites were designed to interact with human energy fields, creating altered states of consciousness.

Where Light is Reborn: Newgrange & Knowth

We headed east to Brú na Bóinne to visit Newgrange, one of the world’s oldest spiritual monuments. Built over 5,000 years ago—a monument erected by some of the earliest people to settle in Ireland, nearly 1,000 years before Stonehenge or the Egyptian pyramids.

What sets Newgrange apart is its purpose. Aligned precisely with the rising sun on the winter solstice, a beam of light travels down a 20-meter passage to illuminate the inner chamber—a moment marking the rebirth of light after the longest night.

This is the turning point in the solar year—the moment when light begins to overcome the darkness. It marks a time when ancient people gave honor to the spirit world for guiding them through winter’s long night and into the returning light of spring.

Nearby at Knowth, we walked among kerbstones engraved with ancient spirals and symbols. Over 90 of them form a vast open-air gallery—an expression of a language we’re still trying to understand.

Final Steps at Tara

We were tired, soaked, and road-weary, but one last site called to us: the Hill of Tara. Known in legend as the seat of the ancient Irish High Kings, it holds the Lia Fáil—Stone of Destiny—said to cry out when touched by the true king.

Nearby, a lone Celtic cross marks the site of the 1798 Irish rebellion, where over 30,000 lives were lost. It’s a place where myth and modern memory blend.