Bullaun stone in Pallas Upper

A small bullaun stone (diam. 0.26m; D 0.11m) embedded in the bank of a ringfort (TN034-088001) beside the entrance in the NE quadrant. The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary. Vol. 1 - North Tipperary' compiled by Jean Farrelly and Caimin O'Brien (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 22 September 2008

Probably dating to the early Christian period, the bullaun stone may have been used for ritual purposes, such as the preparation of holy water, and is often associated with sacred or healing sites in Irish folklore. Its placement near the entrance of the ringfort suggests a symbolic or protective function.