What is recorded here
A rough subcircular boulder with a basin near one top edge leaned against the foot of a wall at Formoyle chapel before disappearing in 1987. Cunningham called it a shallow broken bullaun lying among the ruins, suggesting it had been handled, moved or damaged rather than simply buried. The stone may have marked prayer, payment or memory at the chapel’s edge, its worn cup catching rain or holding something small and precious.
A bullaun stone was located against the foot of a wall at Formoyle chapel (CL005-005001-) (Swinfen 1992, 26), prior to its disappearance in 1987 (Spellissy 1987, 96). A photograph, Swinfen (1992, 26), shows the bullaun to have been a rough subcircular boulder with a basin towards one edge on the top. It was described by Cunningham (1980, 29) as a shallow broken bullaun lying around the ruins.
Compiled by: Mary Tunney, Olive Alcock and Ros Ó Maoldúin
Date of upload: 28 September 2021
Likely dating to the early Christian period, the bullaun stone may have been used for ritual purposes, such as the preparation of holy water or as a pilgrim's stone. Such stones are often associated with local saints and folklore, though specific traditions for this site are not recorded.
The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.
- What survives
- Recorded monument
Places near here
Formoyle R.C. ChapelChurch · 3 yd
Enclosure in Formoyle WestEnclosure · 475 yd
IndicatedEnclosure · 700 yd
Slieve ElvaMountain / peak · 2.0 mi
Faunarooska Castle (in ruins)Castle, tower house · 2.1 mi
garda station/constabulary barracksgarda station/constabulary barracks · 2.1 mi
FaunarooskaCave · 2.3 mi
Fanore BeachBeach / strand · 2.4 mi
PollbailinyCave · 2.5 mi
Rine PointHeadland · 3.6 mi