Bullaun stone in Knockbride

Small irregularly shaped boulder (H 0.2m; dims. 0.67m x 0.6m) containing a well-defined, basin-shaped depression (diam. 0.19m; D 0.07m). Tradition that the bullaun was used as a 'font' during Penal times (local information). On the surface of the stone are a number of carvings which presumably date to this period. Situated in a farmyard c. 175m E of Knockbride church (CV023-026----). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cavan' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1995). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 22 December 2008

Likely dating to the early Christian period, the bullaun stone may have been used for ritual washing or as a font, with later tradition associating its use with clandestine Christian practices during the Penal times.