Bullaun stone in Clonaltra West

Bullaun stone with fragments of 2 Early Christian cross-slabs (WM036-042002-/007-) standing in a group of trees in N quadrant of ecclesiastical enclosure (WM036-042004-) at Clonaltra West. The interior of the enclosure is depicted as a graveyard (WM036-042006-) on the OS 6-inch map and local tradition records that this graveyard was also used as a children's burial ground (WM036-042008-). Site of holy well (WM036-042005-) 290m to W. Large conglomerate boulder (1.1m x 0.7m; H 0.4m) with quartz inclusions containing two narrow egg-shaped hollows on its upper surface. The SW hollow (diam. 0.36 x 0.26m; D 0.3m) is better preserved than the NE hollow (diam. 0.36 x 0.27m; D 0.2m) which is partially damaged. Known locally as St. Patrick's knee stone. Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 08 August 2014

Likely dating to the Early Christian period (5th–11th centuries), the bullaun stone may have been used for ritual purposes, such as anointing or as a holy site associated with the nearby ecclesiastical enclosure. The presence of cross-slabs suggests a Christian adaptation of earlier sacred sites, reflecting continuity between prehistoric and medieval religious practices.