One of a number of large stone circles in East Co. Kildare. Broadleas is on private property but viewable from the road.
It is also known as the "Pipers Stones" (Not to be confused with nearby Athgreany).
“After a little delay, the remainder of the journey was
accomplished to the next regular stoppage, at a place called “The Piper’s
Stones.” here, again, Lord Walter Fitzgerald had some information prepared for
the members, which he read out at the spot. He explained that the existing
objects of antiquarian interest lying a short distance to the south-west
of Ballymore-Eustace are three in number. In the first place there are the
large boulders of graite placed in a circle 31ft. in diameter in the
townland of Broadleas Commons, called “The Piper’s Stones.” They are now 29 in
number. Formerly they made up a complete circle of closely placed
boulders, though now there are large gaps in the ring showing where in times
past many had been broken up and carried away for building purposes.
At a place called Athgreney, there is another similar
circle of stones, and in the Deerpark, near Blessington, formerly there was
a third one, each called “The Piper’s Stones,” but this latter was
demolished years ago for building purposes.
[...] The name, “Piper’s Stones,” was often applied to this
class of monument, and must have its origin in some now forgotten legend. The
only explanation the old people give for the name is that bagpipe music, played
by the “good people” or fairies, is still occasionally heard at the spot.
A quarter of a mile to the north-east of “The Piper’s
Stones” are the remains of a Pagan sepulchral moat, called Knockshee,
meaning “the fairy hill.” Little of it is now left, three-quarters of it having
been demolished years ago, probably by some farmers, for the purpose of
top-dressing the adjoining lands.
[...] Half a mile to the north-west of “The Piper’s
Stones” is a prostrate granite monolith, known as “The Long Stone.” It
formerly stood in a small rath-like enclosure now levelled, and which was
thrown down in the year 1836.”
From the Kildare Archaeological Society’s annual excursion reported in the Warder and Dublin Weekly Mail, 22nd September 1900.
Thanks to Rhiannon here for putting this together.
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