Anomalous stone group

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated in a slight hollow in gently undulating sand dunes which rise to the N to the cliff edge. The monument consists of a pair of fine grained sandstone slabs set on edge and orientated NNW-SSE.. The northernmost stone (average L 1.25m; H 1.05m; T 0.2m) is rectangular in shape and is laid on its long edge. The southernmost stone (L 0.65m; H 0.85m if erect; T 0.24m) is roughly triangular in shape: it is 1.05m SSE of its counterpart and leans markedly to the N. Both stones have rounded corners and very smooth surfaces. There are no visible markings on either stone. Without doubt this is the same monument as that described and illustrated by Wood-Martin (1888, 154-5). His sketch and plan shows a third low stone standing c. 1.4m to the W of and parallel with the northernmost stone (pers. comm. M.A. Timoney): the dimensions of the stone are not recorded and it is no longer visible. A low set stone (SL003-042----) stands 32m W of this monument. The relationship, if any, to this monument is unknown but it may be an outlier. Timoney (2016, 14) suggests that this might be remains of a 'Four-poster' type monument.

Compiled by: Paul Walsh

Revised date of upload: 23 January 2017

References

Wood-Martin, W.G. 1888 The rude stone monuments of Ireland (Co. Sligo and the island of Achill). Hodges Figgis, Dublin.

Timoney, M.A. 2016 The Bunduff, Co. Sligo, Four-poster. Sligo Field Club Journal 2, 13-15.