Holed stone

The National Monuments Service's description

In 2010 a graveyard survey carried out by Laurence Dunne recorded the following details about a holed stone in Garfinny graveyard (KE043-228----): 'A single holed-stone, (447), was recorded within the medieval burial ground area at Garfinny. The blocky perforated stone, 0.56m x 0.65m x 0.16m, stands beside the Adams tomb (440) and is difficult to fully examine. The hour-glass perforation is centrally located at the upper limits of the flat topped stone. The maximum diameter of the perforation at the outside is 0.10m and narrows to 0.085m at the centre.
Holed or perforated stones where found are generally associated with early ecclesiastical sites. They are not very common and not well understood. Some notable examples of perforated early cross inscribed pillars slabs and ogham stones at found at Reask, Kilfountain and Kilmalkedar. However, the holed stone at Garfinny is stylistically and morphologically at variance with the perforated pillar type and more closely associated with the recent examples discovered by the writer at nearby Raheenyhooig and Kildrum (Dunne 2010). The Dingle Archaeological Survey also recorded a holed stone in the nearby, early ecclesiastical site of Maumanorig, that is now, unfortunately, missing. These small holed-stones may reflect some form of rites of passage i.e. Limbo or associated with the difficulty of childbirth or some other associated liminal hierophany' (Dunne 2010, 17-18.

See attached photograph courtesy of Laurence Dunne

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 29 June 2022

References

Dunne, L. 2010 Archaeological Survey, Garfinny, Dingle, Co. Kerry. Unpublished report for The Heritage Office, Kerry County Council (SMR file).