The first settlers arrived about 6,000 years ago and the wealth of multi-period archaeological monuments found in Bonane provides an indelible link to these people.

These monuments are amongst the best preserved in Western Europe, due in particular to the relatively poor quality of the soil with a consequent absence of intensive or mechanised farming methods.

The recent discovery of Rock Art, one of the few examples in the Beara Peninsula, may indicate even earlier habitation!

The early history of Bonane is literally written in stone and it makes fascinating reading!