Achill-henge: A monument that divides Ireland

[Evil Eye]

Ireland has plenty of ancient settlements and monuments. But on Achill Island, off the far west coast - up a mountain and in the middle of a bog - sits a different kind of monument that locals are calling Achill-henge.



The wind is so strong, just opening the car door takes considerable effort. A spitting downpour of hail hits the flesh like shards of glass.



Balancing on one foot in a gale to put on waterproof trousers is not a good idea. I am blown, hopping, along the rough track, eventually toppling into a soft - and very wet - patch of bog.



Achill Island is about as far west in Europe as you can go: From here it's next stop New York, said the man in the bar.



On a bright summer day its rolling boglands and towering cliffs have a haunting, majestic beauty. But on a winter afternoon, with a force 10 gale blowing, Achill really does feel like the end of the road, the edge of the earth.



Leaning into the wind, I struggle for about 1.5km (1 mile) up the mountain, its top covered in a thin layer of snow, like sugar powder sprinkled on a cake.



And then, rising out of the bog as if it is some science fiction creation, it comes into view - a massive circular concrete construction of 30 columns, each more than 4m (13ft) high.



The edifice, a very modern looking coliseum, is topped by a ring of stone: in all the construction is more than 100m in circumference.



Taking their cue from ancient Stonehenge in southern England, locals have been quick to name the site Achill-henge.



Only a short time after it was built, roughly-made signs now guide the adventurous visitor up the slippery mountain path.



A local developer with a grudge against the authorities is responsible for Achill-henge.

Full article with pics: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17034637





That's kinda impressive.

 

[DrLeftover]

Reminds me of these:

http://www.thegeorgiaguidestones.com/Message.htm





Not to mention this.

http://www.carhenge.com/

 

[Evil Eye]

Where those illegally placed as well?



That first one's interesting.

 

[DrLeftover]

The answer to the question about their legal placement is yes to both.



As to the question about where they were placed, the websites answer that in depth.

 

[Evil Eye]

I have a hard time imagining someone creating something that big without being stopped. Seems like the sorta thing that'd be noticed