What is recorded here

Bullaun stone in Aghacross is a rough rectangular stone with a round central hollow, found in church rubble in County Cork. It may have been used for prayer, washing or marking a holy place, though no surviving account says which. The hollow is the important part: a small circle cut or worn into stone, waiting to be recognised.

Found in rubble, in NE corner of Aghacross church (14387) during archaeological survey (Hanley et al. 1995, 30). Stone is roughly rectangular in shape (0.44m x 0.59m) with a central circular depression (diam. 0.23m: D 0.06m). Now in possession of Cork County Council. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009 Image provided by and copyright of Amanda Clarke 2016-2022 https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/

Likely dating to the early medieval period, the bullaun stone may have been used for ritual purposes, possibly for anointing or as a holy water font. Such stones are often associated with Christian or pre-Christian sacred sites and may have had symbolic or healing significance in local tradition.

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