Altar

Protruding from the surface of a hill in a circular grove of hawthorn bushes within the remains of an ecclesiastical enclosure (TN007-034001). This large quartz-type stone (dims. 0.74m x 0.59m x 0.23m) has two deep depressions (dims. 0.21m x 0.16m) with votive coins deposited at the base of the depressions. The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary. Vol. 1 - North Tipperary' compiled by Jean Farrelly and Caimin O'Brien (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 22 September 2008

Likely dating to the early Christian period, this stone may have functioned as an altar or ritual site within a monastic or ecclesiastical setting. Its placement within a circular hawthorn grove suggests possible ceremonial or sacred use, potentially linked to both Christian and earlier pagan traditions.