Cairn

This site was removed by the county council in the course of road widening operations. Within living memory this monument was related to funerary practices. The funeral procession would stop at the monument and place a stone there in memory of the deceased. Another story about the monument was that at times of battle the men who went off to fight would leave a stone behind. Those who returned would retrieve their stones but the stones of those who perished would remain as a memorial (Shaw 1971, 9-10). 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

A wayside cairn, likely medieval or early modern in date, associated with local funerary traditions; its removal reflects the impact of modern infrastructure on the preservation of cultural heritage.