Bullaun stone

The National Monuments Service's description

According to Shearman (1876-8, 199), 'Within the demesne of Sheestown there exists a rock marked with peculiar indentations, which were believed by the people to have been traces or marks of St. Patrick's footsteps. The rock was called "Ciscaem Padruig," i.e., St. Patrick's footsteps. A part of this rock has been broken up, and the debris used in building the boundary wall along the Bennett's Bridge road, between Kilfera and the gate to Sheestown, where fragments of it may be yet recognised'. However, Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 226) gives a slightly different version, describing how, 'Certain depressions in the surface of a rock, formerly beside the public road in Sheestown, are said to have been formed by St. Patrick's knees as he knelt here in prayer. The rock was destroyed several years ago. Its position beside the entrance gate leading to Sheestown Ho., is marked on the Ordnance Map, as Gloonpatrick, i.e., St. Patrick's Knees'. 'Gloon' is an anglicised version of the Irish word for knees, 'glúine'. Both descriptions appears to be describing a bullaun stone with two basins, fragments of which are probably incorporated in a 60m length of wall between the northern Sheastown townland boundary, where it crosses the public road, and the former entrance to Sheastown House.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 27 July 2021

References

Shearman, Rev. J.F. 1876-8 Loca Patriciana – Part XI. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 14, 188-245.

Carrigan, Rev. W. 1905 (Reprint 1981) The history and antiquities of the diocese of Ossory, 4 vols. Kilkenny. Roberts Books and Wellbrook Press.