What is recorded here

Ahgowle, County Wicklow: a one-metre cylindrical jostle stone with an undressed knob, probably 18th or 19th century, made to stand at a gateway and take the blow that would have broken a carriage wheel or damaged a jamb. It leant against the church wall, vanished for years, and returned in 2014; the knob is not a joke of shape but the anchor end that bit into the ground.

From Ahgowle, Co. Wicklow (WI042-019028-), currently in the Hebron Industrial Estate on the outskirts of Kilkenny City. It is c. 1m long and has been dressed to a cylindrical shape with what looks like an undressed knob-like terminal. Although considered as a possible phallic symbol (correctly doubted by Malone 1988, 124) this is a jostle stone or stop-bollard, one of a pair that would have been used on either side of a gateway to protect both jambs and carriage wheels from damage. The knob-like undressed end would have acted as the anchor in the ground. It probably dates to the 18th/19th century. The stone had formerly leant against the N wall of the church (WA042-019001-) and was missing for a number of years until returned to the site in 2014. The stone is in the care of the Office of Public Works. WI042-019028-_01.jpg: Photo of the jostle stone at Ahghowle church (taken 17 July 2014). Compiled by: Paul Walsh and Jean Farrelly Date of revised upload: 20 October 2020

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