Bullaun stone in Ballard (ballinacor North By.)

A large coarse-grained granite boulder, a glacial erratic, most likely in its original position, but presently built into a stone NNW-SSE fence a short distance from the gable end of a house, beside a lane. Uncovered after hedges had been removed. The boulder measures 1.8m N-S, 2.4m E-W, 90cm H at E, 1.1m H at W. On top of the stone are three bowl-shaped bullauns. The basin at the S is circular and measures 27cm x 27cm across, and 14cm deep The middle basin is circular and measures 23x25cm across, and 12cm deep. The N bowl is circular and measures 28x28cm across, and 15-16cm deep. Also here is a small single bullaun, the provenance of which is not known, but it does appear to come form the locality. This consists of a small granite boulder with a rounded bottom. The stone is broken along one edge, with the result that the basin is incomplete. The stone measures 38x24cm across and 10cm thick. The bowl is 19cm across x 6cm deep. Compiled by: Chris Corlett Date of upload: 19 October 2012

A bullaun stone, likely dating to the early Christian period, possibly used for ritual or ecclesiastical purposes such as anvil stones for making holy water. Local folklore may associate it with saintly activity or healing traditions.