Bullaun stone in Goirt Sháile

Large earthfast boulder (dims. 1.45m x 0.93m x 0.23m) with deep circular bowl (top diam. 0.24m; base diam. 0.16m; D 0.25m) carved into the surface of the stone which has been moved from its original location on the side of a road overlooking the Atlantic Sea to the present location (DG097-041) where it is used as an ornamental feature in the front garden of a bungalow. According to the local landowner this roadside bullaun which was found beneath the top soil of a garden of an old cottage was associated with the local fish salting industry of the 17th or the 18th centuries. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: : 01 July 2010

Likely dating to the early medieval period, the bullaun stone may have been used for ritual purposes, possibly in conjunction with holy wells or as a site for pilgrimages. Such stones are often associated with Christian or pre-Christian traditions, and local folklore might link them to healing or saintly activity.