Standing stone

The National Monuments Service's description

Listed by O'Kelly (1942-3, 180) as Ballingoola No. 4. Described in 1943 as a 'well shaped limestone pillar, 4' 3" [1.3m] high, 1' 6" [0.45m] wide and 10" [0.25m] thick' (O'Kelly 1942-3, 180).
According to O'Kelly this standing stone was one of seven in the townland which marked the route of an ancient road which ran 'from Lough Gur Cross (LI032-061----) to the northern barony boundary. Beyond this (in the barony of Clanwilliam) the line is marked by further three stones. These stones seem to mark the line of an ancient road or track. The track itself is visible only for a short distance in the townland of Ballingoola connecting stones No. 2 and 3 above and continuing for some little distance on each side of them. Just north of stone No. 2 the track runs across a field which was ploughed in 1941. The surface of the track was disturbed and showed as a broad band of limestone chippings cutting across the dark coloured soil' (O'Kelly 1942-3, 180).
Situated on N facing slope of rising ground with panoramic views of surrounding countryside from W-N-E, higher ground to S. Roughly sub-triangular shaped stone (dims. 1.1m H x 1.40m Wth x 0.3-0.75m T) with its long axis aligned N-S standing on a pile of small stones.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 26 September 2018

References

O'Kelly, M.J. 1942-3 A survey of the antiquities in the barony of Small County, Co. Limerick. North Munster Antiquarian Journal 3, 75-97, 169-84, 222-46.