Bullaun stone in Keelhilla

One of a number of ecclesiastical monuments (CL006-023001- to CL006-023009-) in an overgrown sheltered location at the foot of the rockface that forms the E side of Slievecarran. Hazel scrub has encroached over all the area and all the stones are covered in thick moss. 10m N of a natural cave known as ‘St Mac Duagh’s Bed’ (CL006-023004-) is a large outcropping rock (1.9m E-W; 1m N-S; H 0.9m) with a circular bowl-shaped hollow (0.2m x 0.19m; D 0.1m) near the top. A second, oval-shaped hollow exists c. 0.35m to the E on the same rock. This is likely to be what Westropp (1900-02, 134) referred to as ‘a large bullaun in the natural rock’. The following image has been uploaded: CL006-023006-_01.jpg Bullaun in large outcropping rock. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 13 October 2014

Dated to the early medieval period, likely between the 7th and 10th centuries, the bullaun stone may have been used for ritual purposes, such as anvil stones for blessing holy water or as a site for Christian pilgrimages. Local folklore sometimes associates such stones with saintly figures or healing traditions.