Rock art

The National Monuments Service's description

In mountain heath (258m OD), on SE-facing spur of Macklaun Mountain, overlooking valley of Meelagh River to S and SE. Excellent views of surrounding landscape, particularly along valley to Caragh Lake at NE and the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and Carrauntoohill to ENE. A smooth and fractured sandstone boulder (dims. 2.05m NNW-SSE; 1.9m ENE-WSW; H 1.2m at S) which is rectangular in plan. It has a roughly rectangular-shaped decorated surface (dims. 0.6m NNW-SSE; 0.9m ENE-WSW) which has an ENE-facing aspect. The decorated surface bears four motifs which are clearly visible. A large, irregular ringmark (dims. 29cm N-S; 26cm E-W) defined by a ring (Wth 1.5cm; 2-3mm) with a narrow gap at NE, is located centrally upon the decorated surface. A large penannular ring (dims. 27cm NE-SW; 22cm NW-SE) is adjacent to E. This motif is open to W, where the space is occupied by a cup-and-ring motif (overall diam. 13cm; ring Wth 1.5cm; D 2-3mm; cup diam. 4.5cm; D 4mm). An oval ringmark (dims. 18cm NE-SW; 16cm NW-SE) defined by a ring (Wth 1-1.5cm; D 2-3mm) is to SW. A number of linear and oval solution marks are evident upon this stone’s surface. There is a possible cupmark (diam. 5cm; D 3mm) and some random pickmarks on a large flat stone adjacent to E.

Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly

Date of upload: 18 July 2017