Cupmarked stone

The National Monuments Service's description

In a coniferous wood, in rough boggy pasture at the N end of the valley of the Kealduff River. A rounded boulder (L 0.92m; Wth 1.62m; H 1.47m) with a very weathered cupmark was recorded by Desmond (1999, 60, Appendix 1) who also noted that trees had been planted to within 0.2m of the boulder, making it inaccessible. A subsequent site inspection in 2002 failed to locate this boulder due to dense undergrowth. A cupmarked stone (KE082-033001-) was also recorded by Desmond (ibid.) c. 3m to the NE.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Kerry. Volume I: South-West Kerry' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 30 May 2011

At western edge of forestry plantation, on a gentle SE-facing slope (108m OD). The co-ordinate supplied may not be accurate as it is in an open area of upland heath pasture, a significant distance to W of the forestry plantation. This location does not match up with the information provided in the Historic Environment Viewer (DAHRRGA, online) and the Archaeological Inventory for County Kerry (Byrne et al 2009, 64):

‘A rounded boulder (L 0.92m; Wth 1.62m; H 1.47m) with a very weathered cupmark was recorded by Desmond (1999, 60, Appendix 1) who also noted that trees had been planted to within 0.2m of the boulder, making it inaccessible. A subsequent site inspection in 2002 failed to locate this boulder due to dense undergrowth. A cupmarked stone (KE082-033001-) was also recorded by Desmond (ibid) c. 3m to the NE.’

A rounded boulder matching the above description was recorded at the western edge of the forestry plantation. A possible cupmark is evident upon this rock surface, although it may also be a solution mark derived from natural weathering.

Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly

Date of upload: 9 March 2017