Rock art

The National Monuments Service's description

In mountain heath (108m), on a NW-facing slope, overlooking Cloon Lough c. 130m to NW. A slightly rough and fractured sandstone boulder (dims. 3.82m NE-SW; 2.93m NW-SE; max. H 1.16m at E) which is very conspicuous, despite being partially covered in sod and vegetation. It has two roughly rectangular decorated surfaces, one having a SW-facing aspect (dims. 2.00m N-S; 2.25m) and the other a N-facing aspect (dims. 0.70m N-S; 1.17m E-W). The motifs on both aspects are defined by pickmarks. The SW-facing aspect bears a penannular ring (overall dims. 19cm NW-SE; 15cm NE-SW; ring Wth 1.5cm; D 4mm) at W side of decorated surface; The ends of the penannular ring terminate in two short, parallel linear grooves (L 5cm). A possible cupmark (diam. 3cm; D 4mm) abuts N side of ring. A second ring (overall diam. 9cm; Wth 3cm; D 5mm) is adjacent to N. A network of meandering connected lines of pickmarks (Wth 2cm; D 3-4mm) extend across area to NW and SE of the two rings. Two lines of pickmarks extend from sod along S margin of stone surface: At W side is a line of pickmarks (overall dims. L 36cm N-S; Wth 1-2cm; D 2-3mm) which has a right-angled short return (L 8cm ENE-WSW) to E, at lower end. This line of pickmarks traverses a step (H 5cm). A line of pickmarks (dims. L 25cm N-S; Wth 1cm; D 2mm) at E side of stone; There is a natural step down (H 0.7m) at S end. The N-facing aspect bears three linear grooves (long-axis N-S) defined by pickmarks: A line (dims. L 50cm; Wth 2-3cm; D 2-3mm) at E; A central line (dims. L 38cm; Wth 2cm; D 4mm) is c. 35m to W and a third line (dims. L 13cm; Wth 2cm; D 2mm) is c. 17cm to W of latter. A partial ring (dims. 14cm x 13cm; Wth 1.5cm; D 3mm) is on a higher ledge (H 6cm) to SE. A small stream curves around the rock art boulder S->SW. Monument identified by A. Lambe (2016).

Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly

Date of upload: 5 July 2017