Standing stone

The National Monuments Service's description

In undulating pasture, on the landscaped estate of Timoney Park. One of twenty standing stones (TN018-012010-/029-) identified in this field. One of four stones recorded in 1934-36 where they are depicted in a four-poster arrangement standing in the centre of a possible stone circle consisting of 14 standing stones (TN018-012010-/029-). It appears that these became part of a folly when a millstone was placed on top in recent times. No millstone is shown sitting on top of these stones on the location map. This field was known locally as the ‘racecourse field’ (Ryan 1980, 17). National Monument No. 353.
Recorded in 1934-36 by the Inspector of National Monuments and marked as stone 9V on a map of a group of 221 standing stones, of which 173 stones were located in the townland of Timoney Hills and 48 standing stones in the adjoining townland of Cullaun. A map published in the Archaeological Survey of Ikerrin depicts 245 standing stones, 70 of which had been removed, and five cairns, which have also been removed (Stout 1984, 19). Thirteen of the twenty orthostats in this field were located. Present remains consist of a low upright stone (H 0.36m) with three other small orthostats (TN018-012014-/017-) contiguous to each other in a small circular arrangement which support a circular millstone (diam. 1.18m; T 0.23m).
This group of standing stones in the townlands of Timoney Hills and Cullaun were described in 1936 by the Inspector of National Monuments as following: 'Though a number of stones have been eliminated, the remainder numbering 221 (173 in Timoney Hills and 48 in Cullaun) are a most remarkable group. The stones are not, apparently, arranged on any particular system except for one obvious stone circle in Cullaun. They are all of red sandstone or conglomerate of the same period and stand or stood from 3 to 6 feet [0.9-1.8m] in height over the ground, the average height of the larger ones being about 5 feet 1.5m]' (SMR File).
The location of these stones on the Parker-Hutchinson estate of Timoney Park casts doubt on the antiquity of these monuments.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 20 February 2015

References

Ryan, J. 1980 History and traditions of Knock and Timoney. Roscrea. Printed by J.F. Walsh.

Stout, G. 1984 The archaeological survey of the barony of Ikerrin. Roscrea Heritage Society.