Rock art

The National Monuments Service's description

Two prostrate stones lie within 50m of a pair of standing stones (KE043-213----) and within 20m of a tall standing stone (KE043-215----), on gently sloping pastureland on the N side of Dingle Harbour. The W stone measures 3.25m x 1.4m x .5m thick and bears no markings. The 2nd stone measures 4.2m x 1.25m x .6m thick. On its sloping E face the decoration, with the exception of a single cup-and-circle, is confined to the broad N end. At least 18 isolated cup-marks are distributed randomly about the decorated area, while 8 cup-and-circles occur along the upper portion of the stone. One of the circles spirals slightly, and most are provided with radial lines which follow the downward slope of the face. Beneath these is a complex grouping of cup-marks and straight and curved lines, some of the lines joining up to enclose cup-marks. Three further cup-marks occur at the N edge of the WSW face. Ó Nualláin (1978b, 68) suggests that both these stones may have fallen from an upright position, and Finlay (1973, 9-10) points out that the decoration is likely to have been added subsequent to this as the linear grooves follow the downward slope of the E face. The inclusion of this site in a list of cist-graves by Simpson and Thawley appears to arise from some confusion with another site (Shee 1972, 233).

The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 191. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 4 August 2013

This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 54/1937).

In improved rough pasture (26m OD), on a very gentle ENE-facing slope, c. 20m to N of Dingle-Ventry regional route (R559). Good view of Dingle Harbour to SE. Reasonably good condition, although obscured by white and grey lichens; Stone appears damaged on underside at N end. Smooth and unfractured, prostrate sandstone (dims. 4.10m N-S; 1.75m E-W; max. T 1.20m) with an irregular decorated surface (dims. 3.00m N-S; 0.90m E-W) having an E-facing aspect. The motifs occupy the northern half of the stone with the exception of an isolated cup-and-ring motif (overall diam. 18cm; ring Wth 3.5-4cm; D 3mm; cup diam. 7.5cm; D 1cm) toward the S end. The main decorated area bears at least twenty-five cup-marks (average diam. 5-7cm; D 4-8mm), two of which are incorporated into a more complex decorative element of intersecting linear and curvilinears grooves in the centre of the stone. Seven cup-and-one-ring motifs are located along the upper portion of the stone, one of which has a penannular ring open to W. Three of these have radial grooves (long-axis E-W) which extend downslope, to E and the ring around another, takes the form of a spiral. Two of the cup-and-ring motifs are conjoined by a curvilinear groove. The best preserved cup-and-ring motif (overall diam. 18cm; ring Wth 2cm; D 3mm; cup diam. 9.5cm; D 4mm) is on upper portion of decorated surface. According to Cuppage (1986, 57, 64-65), Ó Nualláin (1978b, 68) suggests that both these stones may have fallen from an upright position, and Finlay (1973, 9-10) points out that the decoration is likely to have been added subsequent to this as the linear grooves follow the downward slope of the E face. A second prostrate stone (dims. 3.25m N-S; 1.4m E-W; max. T 0.5m) adjacent to W, bears no markings. A single standing stone (KE043-215----) is c. 20m to SW and a pair of standing stones (KE043-213----) are c. 50m to N.

See attached screenshots of 3D model of the rock art panel created by The Discovery Programme. 3D model can be accessed at the following website: https://skfb.ly/YRAC

Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly

Date of upload: 7 July 2017

References

Cuppage, J. 1986 Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne.