Rock art

The National Monuments Service's description

The decorated stone (KE070-072001-) is an approximately rectangular-sectioned block of green sandstone measuring .68m x .28m x .24m. It is decorated on all four faces. A portion of one face has been broken off, but on the remaining portion is an incomplete cup-and-circle and radial line. Macalister's illustration of the stone indicates that there was a similar motif towards its broader end. The obverse face features a ring and radial groove, as well as a conjoined arrangement of five subcircular and two incomplete rings, one of which features a central cupmark. Three grooves run from this arrangement to the edges of the stone. The sides of the stone each feature a sub-circular pocked area with a radial line and a plain cupmark. The absence of decoration on either end of the stone supports the suggestion that it may have originally functioned as a pillar stone (Connolly 1991, 34-41).

The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 396. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 28 July 2013

At E side of rubble stone building (194m OD), at E edge of farmyard complex and near to boundary with the tertiary road. A smooth and unfractured, portable pillar stone (dims. L 0.65m; Wth 0.28m; T 0.20m) lying flat upon ground surface. This sandstone is decorated on all four surfaces (Sides A-D) where motifs are weathered and obscured by mosses. Side A has a rectangular decorated surface (dims. L 0.44m; Wth 0.28m) bearing six inter-connecting rings (min. dims. 9cm x 7cm to max. dims. 9cm x 11cm; Wth 1.5-2cm; D 2mm) with the central example forming a cup-and-ring motif (overall dims. 13cm x 11cm; Wth 2cm; D 2-3mm; cup diam. 5cm; D 3mm). A linear groove (dims. L 13cm; Wth 2cm; D 3mm) extends from this ring to long edge of stone. Two other linear grooves (dims. L 7cm; Wth 2cm and L 9cm; Wth 1.5cm), roughly parallel to the linear groove mentioned above, extend from the rings either side of the cup-and-ring to edge of stone. All as per Connolly (1991, 35, Fig. 2a). Side B has a sub-rectangular decorated surface (dims. L 0.32m; Wth 0.23m) having a circular motif (dims. 9cm x 8cm; D 2-3mm) formed by pickmarks; A linear groove (dims. L 9cm; Wth 1.5-2cm; D 3mm) extend from this motif to long edge of stone. Small cupmark (dims. 3cm x 2.5cm; D 5mm) is located 22cm from circular motif. All as per Connolly (1991, 35, Fig. 2b). Side C has a rectangular decorated surface (dims. L 0.24m; Wth 0.15m), part of which has broken off. A large cup-and-ring motif (overall dims. 16cm x 14cm (to edge of fracture); ring Wth 2cm; D 2mm; cup diam. 5cm; D 2mm. A linear groove (dims. L 7cm; Wth 2cm; D 2mm) extends from ring to long edge of stone. According to Connolly (1991, 34, Fig. 2c), the damaged surface bore a similar cup-and-ring, however the radial groove extended from the opposite side of the ring. Side D has a sub-rectangular decorated surface (dims. L 0.39m; Wth 0.17m) having a circular motif (dims. 7cm x 6cm; D 2mm; cup diam. 2cm; D 6mm) defined by pickmarks; A linear groove (dims. L 7cm; Wth 1cm; D 3mm) (Connolly 1991, 35, Fig 2d). According to Connolly (ibid), this decorated stone is reputed to have been found in a cairn.

Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly

Date of upload: 31 May 2017