The B Team's Beltany Stone Circle Selfie on The Sunday Selfies Blog Hop **PLUS** Smooch's UK Historical Travel Guide

Furbulous Sunday greetings furiends

Welcome to another BBHQ selfie selection. This week, we decided to bip to the Emerald Isle, aka Ireland, on our Stone Circle trail.

The B Team's Beltany Stone Circle Selfie

Mew know, it is truly so green there, it's ameowzing!

See all of our previous trips to:

Castlerigg    Stone Henge    Avebury    Rollright Stone Circle    Aberlemno  

Druid's Temple in North Yorkshire Pentre Ifan    The Ring of Brodgar

 Boscawen-Un    Duddo Five Stones    Drombeg Stone Circle     Callanish Stones

Scorhill Stone Circle Hurlers Stone Circle     Moel Ty Uchaf Stone Circle

Boskednan Stone Circle The Brat's Hill Stone Circle Nine Stone Close

Uragh Stone Circle     The Men-an-Tol

Here's a little bit of info from BBHQ's Historical Travel Guide, Smooch:

Greetings to all the history aficionados and travel enthusiasts out there!

During our travels through the captivating landscapes of County Donegal, Ireland, we stumbled upon the Beltany stone circle, located just south of Raphoe town. This archaeological wonder dates back to the Bronze Age, estimated to have been constructed between 1400-800 BC. This stone circle is composed of 64 standing stones, though there are indications that there could have been as many as 80. Some of these stones rise over two meters high, and all of them, without exception, were carefully positioned to create a circle that measures approximately 45 metres or 148 ft in diameter. The stones, which were most likely quarried from a nearby location, were transported and placed in position with incredible precision and care. The Beltany stone circle has significant astronomical and religious importance. The stones are aligned with the sun, and the moon was used to mark significant dates in the year, such as solstices and equinoxes. The circle was also likely used for rituals and ceremonies, possibly related to fertility or the changing of the seasons. The Beltany stone circle is considered one of the largest and most notable stone circles in Ireland, and it is a remarkable example of the creativeness and craftsmanship of our ancient ancestors. There are other theories that the circle is actually the remains of a megalithic tomb or barrow.

The name Beltany is derived from the Irish An Behealtaine or, as we know it, Beltaine on May 1st, and Beltaine means bright fire; maybe this was to celebrate the coming of the summer season in ancient times. Beltaine is celebrated in Wiccan and other Pagan-influenced faiths, as is Imbolc on February 1st, Lughnasa on August 1st and Samhain on November 1st, these dates are very significant in the natural world.

The area surrounding the Beltany stone circle is steeped in history. Evidence of human habitation in the region dates back to the Mesolithic era. The ancient Gaelic people who inhabited the region left their mark on the landscape with various monuments and structures. The nearby town of Raphoe has a long history of religious and political significance. In medieval times, it was an important ecclesiastical centre. Visiting the Beltany stone circle was a truly incredible experience. It was fascinating to witness first paw the impurressive craftsmanship and ingenuity of our ancient ancestors, and to reflect on the significance of this remarkable archaeological site.

Purrs

Smooch

 BBHQ's Historical Travel Guide

We're also joining in Athena's Fabulous Art Hop so do stop by and show off your pawesome arty-farty skills.

The effect was created with Befunky - AI Enhancer, Inkify, Oil Painting 4 + colour changes to hue and saturation.

We also turned this fab arty-farty picture into a puzzle, so do stop by the puzzle page and take the Puzzle Challenge, see if mew can beat our time of 12 mins 40 secs. 

Anyhoo, it's time for us to go on a little garden safari. The last four days have been deliciously warm, and we've been making the most of it. However, some weather presenters keep threatening that more storms are rolling in or are on the way in the near future—PAH!!!!

Smooch is in charge of lunch again. Honestly, we've never seen such dedication to one meal a week; he really takes it to a new level!

We'll be back tomorrow with a brand new Cats Have Purroblems Too post, so do join us then as mew know how much we love to start the week with all our besties!

We do hope mew have an epic day

Wing Commander Basil & The B Team

Don't forget to join in the pawesome Sunday Selfies Blog Hop with

 Angel Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy and Sawyer ~ visit them at their pawesome blog:

www.thecatonmyhead.com

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Graphics created with paid licence @www.canva.com & ios Prisma App or www.befunky.com