Rock art

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, on a SSE-facing slope, just N of a small stream. An irregular-shaped rock outcrop (2.3m E-W; 2.1m N-S; H 0.55m) which tilts to the W, on the NW side of a slight mound (6.1m N-S; 4.8m E-W). On the W side of the outcrop a grouping of faint, weathered rock art is divided by a natural split. The rock art consists of a cup-and-two rings and three cup-marks situated to the W of the split. On the E side of the split a cup-and-three rings adjoined to a ring, within which is a cross-like pattern. There is a cupmark at the intersection of the adjoining rings. The cross-like pattern is similar to those described in an article by O hÉailidhe (1958, 75) as the Rathdown slabs. There is an ogham inscription (KE047-105001-) on the W side of the same rock outcrop. There are other rock outcrops exposed on the W and S areas of the mound. There is a single standing stone (KE047-106----) c. 150m to the S.

Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork.

Date of upload: 30 May 2011

Inventory Style Entry
In improved pasture (24m OD), upon a low lying area, at base of a S-facing slope; Stream is c. 75m to S. In valley of River Maine with excellent views of Gap of Dunloe to S and MacGillycuddy’s Reeks to SW. A pair of earthfast rocks split from the same outcrop and situated 0.7m apart, upon a low mound. The W rock is a smooth and fractured sandstone (dims. 2.90m N-S; 2.30m E-W) having a flat, irregular decorated surface (dims. 0.80m N-S; 0.50m E-W) bearing decorative rock art elements. The motifs are weathered and consist of a central cup-and-four-ring motif (ring Wth 1.5-2.5cm; D 3mm; cup diam. 5.5cm; D 3mm) having a partial fourth ring around W side which is truncated by a natural fracture (long-axis c. N-S) to W. A single cup-and-ring motif is adjacent to N. A single-ring motif and a single cupmark are to S. Ogham inscription (KE047-105001-) is inscribed (L 0.93m) along spine of stone, adjacent to E of rock art. The E rock is a smooth and unfractured sandstone (dims. 3.20m N-S; 2.05m E-W; max. H 1m) having an irregular decorated surface (dims. 0.35m N-S; 0.50m E-W) with a W-facing aspect, at N end of rock. The motifs are weathered and consist of seven cupmarks (diam. 4-8cm; D 3mm). Rock art (KE047-105002-) is located c. 2.60m to N.

Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly

Date of upload: 6 July 2017