I had failed to find the rock art to the north of this site and the farmer there knew nothing of it, either. His dad had once told him that masses used to be held approximately where the rock art should be, but he didn't know exactly where.
This site was a wonderful surprise. I knew there was possbly rock art here, but I didn't expect to find what I did. The site, now known as the birthplace of St. Colmcille, is marked by a massive, modern cross that is rather ugly. At the base of the cross there is a oval of stones that appear to be the remains of a megalithic kist. To one side of these stones there is a large slab, which was presumably the capstone to the kist.
The exposed surface of the capstone is littered with very large cup-marks - about 30 or so. It seems to be the custom to leave offerings of copper coins in these depressions, which has caused the stone to become stained.
I love sites that are clearly reused ancient monuments. It shows a continuity and respect, while trying to assimulate the monument to hold off the ancient respect that was once held for it.
Click Thumbnail to View Full Size Image
_
_
_
_
_
_
_All Sites Visited On 17th August 2008 « Previous Site Next Site »
| John Willmott (Celtic Ways) from Keash, Co. Sligo |  |
A Random Selection of Nearby Monuments
 Baltinglass (Co. Wicklow) |  Dublin Zoological Gardens (Co. Dublin) |  Clooncoe (Co. Leitrim) |
 Dolmen of the Four Maols (Co. Mayo) |  Ballygunnertemple (Co. Waterford) |  Lackanashinagh (Co. Cork) |
