This is the biggest stone circle in the south-west of Ireland where about 100 examples occur. Stone circles were built during the Bronze age (2,200 - 500BC) for ritual and ceremonial purposes. Some studies have indicated that they were orientated on certain solar and lunar events, such as the position of the sun on the horizon on a solstice.

In the centre of the circle is a type of burial monument known as a Boulder Burial. These are rarely found outside of south-western Ireland.

The Kenmare example may be orientated on the setting sun.