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All the United Kingdom Northern Ireland Larne Larne Standing Stone
AO Edited

Larne Standing Stone

The enigmatic stone has towered over a Northern Ireland town for thousands of years.

Larne, Northern Ireland

Added By
Nicholas Davis
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The standing stone.   larnerenovationgeneration / Atlas Obscura User
The standing stone.   larnerenovationgeneration / Atlas Obscura User
Up close.   larnerenovationgeneration / Atlas Obscura User
Cotton grass and wildflowers surround the site.   larnerenovationgeneration / Atlas Obscura User
Unusual structure stands out on the Antrim Hills.   larnerenovationgeneration / Atlas Obscura User
Surrounding hills.   larnerenovationgeneration / Atlas Obscura User
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About

An ancient stone rises atop a hill above Larne, standing tall just as it has for thousands of years. The artifact’s presence makes it clear that this site held some sort of important significance for the community that once called the rolling landscape home.  

Standing stones, or menhirs, are large upright structures erected by humans. Their purpose is pretty enigmatic, but it’s believed they once served some sort of religious significance. Many intriguing items have been found in digs around standing stones including buried dead, pottery, and flint tools.

The area around Larne and other parts of the East Antrim coastline were some of the earliest inhabited areas of Ireland, with artifacts being found as early as the Mesolithic era (6000 B.C.). Because of Larne’s closeness to the Scottish mainland, it’s likely that the earliest settlers crossed over to Northern Ireland via the North Channel.

The term “Larnian” has been used by archaeologists to describe the artifacts found in the local area from this era. The term has survived to the current day, but now it’s used instead to refer to someone from Larne.

Related Tags

Standing Stones Rocks Roadside Attractions Celtic Ancient Geology

Know Before You Go

The standing stone is located on private property, so viewing is limited and only available from the fence line.

The best way to get to the site is via Kilwaughter or Millbrook, outside Larne. The site is also accessible by going the Antrim Hills Way (a walking trail).

Community Contributors

Added By

larnerenovationgeneration

Edited By

CDVV86

  • CDVV86

Published

July 3, 2018

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Sources
  • http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=36765
  • http://www.irishmegaliths.org.uk/antrim.htm
  • http://gb.geoview.info/the_standing_stone_larne_coantrim_nireland,66344968p
  • https://www.triposo.com/loc/Larne/history/background
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larne
Larne Standing Stone
32 Mullaghsandall Rd
Larne, Northern Ireland
United Kingdom
54.868841, -5.918143
Get Directions

Nearby Places

The Linford Barrows

County Antrim, Northern Ireland

miles away

The Armada Tree

Larne, Northern Ireland

miles away

Droagh Motte

Ballygalley, Northern Ireland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Larne

Larne

Northern Ireland

Places 22

Nearby Places

The Linford Barrows

County Antrim, Northern Ireland

miles away

The Armada Tree

Larne, Northern Ireland

miles away

Droagh Motte

Ballygalley, Northern Ireland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Larne

Larne

Northern Ireland

Places 22

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