What is recorded here

Moss swallowed the small stone beside the Tober Road before anyone could measure the depression or decide whether tradition or imagination shaped it. Mrs Mary Moran still pointed it out in 1988, preserving the claim that St Ciaran of Clonmacnoise marked his own cow there. The road widened, rain cut the moss, and the stone vanished from human sight. It may remain buried under grass or have been broken for a wall, but the act of pointing keeps the cow and saint moving through Shanballynakill.

Not visible at ground level. Unable to locate this bullaun stone. Identified during fieldwork on March 25th 1988 by staff in the SMR office. Described in 1988 as a small bullaun which was covered in moss and was located on the side of the road. Traditionally the bullaun was believed to be the mark of the cow belonging to St Ciaran of Clonmacnoise. Pointed out by Mrs Mary Moran of Gorteen on the Tober Road. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

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