Rock art

The National Monuments Service's description

In a well-grazed area (diam. c. 30m) of grasses enclosed by blanket bog and frequent rock outcrop. On a NE-facing slope (222m OD), overlooking Behy River valley to NE. Stone is embedded in peat on its S-side and is c. 0.28m above ground level on its N-side. A very rough and unfractured sandstone rock outcrop (dims. 0.67m N-S; 0.80m E-W; max. H 0.28m) with a trapezoidal decorated surface (dims. 0.52m N-S; 0.45m E-W) which is NE-facing. The rock art is weathered and faint and some motifs are obscured by the naturally rough stone surface. The motifs consist of a linear groove (dims. L 22cm; Wth 1-2cm; D 3-4mm) which extends (long-axis N-S) across S-area of decorated surface; A second groove (L 26cm; Wth 1-1.5cm; D 4-5mm) is perpendicular to N, together forming a T-shape. A short groove (L 5cm N-S; Wth 9mm; D 2mm) is located c. 18cm to N. It is possible that these grooves may represent the remains of a weathered cross. A cupmark (diam. 5cm; D 3mm) is 4.5cm to WNW, having a gently curving radial groove (L 8cm; Wth 1cm; D 3mm) extending from W. A small area of pickmarks (dims. 6cm N-S; 7cm E-W) is located c. 2cm to SW. Possible pre-bog field wall (long-axis E-W) located c. 45m to NE.

Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly

Date of upload: 27 March 2017