This is one very nice standing stone, and it has quite a pedigree too. Standing on the highest point in an undulating landscape, in a very uneven field this stones positively towers over you as you approach. It seems to grow in stature and presence as you near it. I have not really felt such a thing for a long time.
I didn't actually come here to see the stone but to track down an interesting souterrain in a neighbouring field, but when I saw the stone I had to take a closer look. This was made easier by a sign post and a style into the field. Next to this is a little notice board that tells the stone's story.
It is said that the great hero Cuchulain, after being mortally wounded, tied himself to this stone so that he could continue to face his enemies. These did not dare approach him until a raven landed upon his shoulder - signifying that he was dead.
The stone is a whopping 3m+ tall, 1.2m wide at the base, 80cm thick and quite lovely. In a very clean font and with a good chisel, a bloke called Jim McKenna has left his mark here too.
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_Considering this stone's folklore it was quite poetic to have a crow standing on the top of it as I approached. When Cuchulain tied himself to the stone crows came down and stood on it when he died. What wasn't so nice was the fact that the field had recently been sprayed with manure and it ponged.
Walking up the field to the stone doesn't quite put it on the skyline, because of the hedgerow beyond, but bending down slightly take the hedge out of view and the stone stands proud in silhouette.
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| hugh rogers from annalong,co.down |  |
From Dundalk follow the N52 and then the R171 towards Knockbridge/Louth. The stone is on the left after about 2.5km along the R171. The sign post for it is on the right, just after a bungalow.
If heading from Knockbridge towards Dundalk then this stone is 1.4km out of Knockbridge (but on the right, obviously).
A Random Selection of Nearby Monuments
 Taghboyne (Co. Westmeath) |  Breen (Co. Antrim) |  Killadeas (Co. Fermanagh) |
 Ballyhalbert (Co. Down) |  Skerry West (Co. Antrim) |  Rossnakilla (Co. Cork) |
