Bullaun stone in Cloghinch (glenkeen Par.)

Located in Moanaha Glen, immediately S of Nenagh River. Formerly only the flat surface of the embedded bullaun stone was visible with a circular depression (0.3m x 0.33m x 0.15m D) close to one edge (Raftery 1967, 219). This field has been reclaimed and the boulder lifted to the adjacent riverbank to the N. The boulder (0.98m x 0.86m x 0.76m) subsequently fell into the river, c. 4m below the bank, landing right side up. A cross-inscribed stone (TN027-166002) was found adjacent to the bullaun stone. 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, bullaun stones were often used for ritual or ecclesiastical purposes, such as anointing or symbolic washing. The circular depression may have held holy water or oil, linking the stone to local Christian traditions or prehistoric ritual practices.